Joseva Tamani scored his first try for Otago in the 28th minute of their loss to Hawkes Bay.

The home side trailed 0-17 before the Fijian Drua flanker ran into a gaping whole from the back of a lineout, beating the fullback for a great try.

The try was quickly followed up by a Jona Nareki 5 pointer, finishing off a linebreak in the left corner.

Otago kept within reach and stayed in the fight but ultimately couldn't get the job done, losing 21-27.

Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens was put in a 5-star performance in his 50th NPC appearance.

He set up all 3 of Taranaki's tries, first in the 7th minute throwing the last pass for Vereniki Tikoisolomone, He broke through on a kick return in the 20th minute, turning it back for Josh Jacomb to score before slicing through the defence early in the 2nd half before throwing a Fijian-style offload for Adam Lennox to score under the posts.

In trying conditions the Bulls looked far more polished and came away with a 23-3 win over the Taniwha.

Melbourne Storm Prop Tui Kamikamica scored his first try of the season when he ran onto a beautifully timed Harry Grant pass in the 33rd minute of their 16-10 win in Parramatta.

The Taveuni native ran a great line and went over untouched. The Storm move into 2nd for the time being with the Bulldogs yet to play.

The match remained close and the Storm's 69th minute try through Xavier Coates was enough to get them the 2 points without their star halfback Jahrome Hughes.

Paula Balekana has cemented his place in MLR history after being awarded the MLR Player of the Year for 2025.

The electrifying winger scored 15 tries, the second time in his career to reach that total but this time he did it in 14 matches, including 2 in the final.

It was also the Freejacks third straight title, winning both the 2023 and 2024 seasons before their historic 28-22 win over Houston in June.

The Fijian Drua have made official the signing of 29 year old former Western Force and Wallabies halfback Issak Fines-Leleiwasa.

He joins a rather crowded scrumhalf corps with current players Frank Lomani, Simione Kuruvoli, Philip Baselala, Peni Matawalu and Leone Nawai.

Leleiwasa played 45 Super Rugby matches over his 6 year career which started back in 2020 with the Brumbies.

Jethro Rinakama scored in the winning try for the Bulldogs in the 77th minute of their 20-18 win over the St George Illawarra Dragons last night.

The 19 year old, only in his 2nd first grade game now has 2 tries in 2 matches.

It was halfback Lachlin Galvin who set up the try with a lovely looping pass over the opposition winger to find Rinakama who ran in untouched.

Apart from his try he made 199 metres from 22 carries with 74 post contact metres.

Taniela Rakuro made his debut for Taranaki in the Ranfurly Shield match against Thames Valley, delivering a performance to remember.

The explosive winger from Nadroga-Navosa crossed the line five times, equalling the record for most tries in a single match for Taranaki—a feat previously achieved by Mark Robinson (1997), George Loveridge (1913), and David Vesty (1971).

Rakuro, who has 23 Super Rugby caps with the Fijian Drua, dedicated the performance to his village back in Fiji. The match ended in a dominant 97–0 win for Taranaki at Manaia Domain.

Fellow Fijian winger Vereniki Tikoisolomone also made his mark, scoring two tries and setting up several others in a commanding all-round display from the home side.

The Vodafone Fijiana team showed heart and resilience in a hard-fought 31-24 loss to the USA Women’s team this morning at Audi Field in Washington. Down 26-7 at one stage, Fiji clawed their way back into the contest with some classic Fijian-Style rugby. Captain Alfreda Fisher scored Fiji's first 2 tries before Josifini Neihamu dotted down early in the 2nd half to bring Fiji within a try of their opponents.

Despite the loss, Fijiana's display was a clear sign of their growth on the international stage. They matched the Americans in key moments and threatened a comeback with tries that lifted the energy of the contest.

Their opening World Cup match is against World #2 Canada on the 24th of August.

7 Fijians have been selected in the Pasifika XV squad to face the British and Irish Lions on Tuesday night in Melbourne.

In the front row Drua Loosehead Mesake Doge is joined by Lington Ieli of the Brumbies. Lock Mesake Vocevoce joins loose forward Seru Uru and in the backline Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Ponipate Loganimasi and a late call-up to the side Filipo Daugunu.

Jethro Rinakama made his NRL debut for the Bulldogs last night against the Cowboys in Townsville. He was on the end of a linebreak in the 39th minute to score the try that would ultimately be the difference in the Bulldogs 12-8 win over the Cowboys.

The 20 year old Winger has been impressive in reserve grade, scoring 11 tries in his first 12 matches.

21 Carries for 183 metres, 57 post contact metres, 3 tackle breaks and a big hit on his first outing!