It was a disappointing weekend for Fiji, Samoa and Tonga rugby teams, as the Pacific trio suffered loses in their World Rugby test matches over the weekend.
The Flying Fijians were demolished 73-8 by England in the second round of the Nations Championship in Liverpool.
The Red Roses scored 11 tries in the thrashing and in the process setting a new record in the two team’s history. Fiji only managed a single try.
Meanwhile, Manu Samoa were taken to task by Georgia in their second Nations Cup match, with The Lelos winning 33-12 in Chile. While the ‘Ikale Tahi of Tonga went down 32-19 to Spain in Edmonton, Canada.
There were some happiness around New Zealand, however, with the All Blacks taking care of Italy 47-17 to win their second game in the Nations Championship.
The win in Wellington saw winger Will Jordan setting a new record in New Zealand rugby, one that could still be broken over the new weekend.
No excuses
Flying Fijians head coach Senirusi Seruvakula said there were no excuses as he and captain Tevita Ikanivere both told reporters post-match they were disappointed, because the team could not deliever.
“We really did not do what we planned to do from the week,” Seruvakula, who is in an interim coaching role, said.
Seruvakula’s future is expected to be decided by the result of the three-match series. He has two losses so far: against Wales and England.
Seruvakula and Fiji’s challenge was made tougher in the first half when halfback Simione Kuruvoli was red-carded and sent off for the rest of the game for a back-kick on an English player.
The incident also led to Fiji’s first try in the game cancelled, which was a double hit against a side that was also finding it hard at that time to win referee Hollie Davidson’s favour.
“That red card really punish us, especially in playing in this tier one level,” Seruvakula said.
But he also congratulated England for their top game performance, adding they had played better rugby on the day.
“No excuses. We just need to adopt. England was the best team today. They play really well, and they deserve the win.
“The pace of the game was very, very fast. You know, we thought they’re going to be playing just focusing on their forwards, but they were they were fast. They were playing edge to edge and shifting the ball when they already know that we are lack of with one player. So they really display smart rugby today.”
Ikanivere pointed to the set-pieces as the area where England dominated them in, adding the front-row battle was something England used to their advantage.
“Our set pieces, we just didn’t finish them off. Maybe defensively, we gave away too many penalties before the scrum even came together,” he said.
“If it was from the bind and too much pressure or not enough pressure, and at this level, everybody’s good at scrummaging.
“There’s a lot of games going on between props, and we just have to be better at controlling those things, preparing for those things, and think England got the the better.”
England did not allow Fiji to dominate in any area, with speed off the mark on defence, and disrupting any momentum around the pod set-ups.
Levani Botia was yellow-carded after he committed his third foul, the veteran player also showing frustration with the referee’s call a few times, especially when he had won ball on the ground in rucks but was not given those calls.
Along the backline, England used a lot of pace and variation.
In the end, they snuffed out any Fijian promise and recorded their biggest win against the islanders.
Manu Samoa lost 33-12 to Georgia in the second round of the 2026 World Rugby Nations Cup competition in Chile. 12 July 2026.
World Rugby
Georgia downs Samoa
Micrale Fai’ilagi said his side did not turn up to play, as he told reporters after the game the result was disappointing for the squad and their supporters.
The Moana Pasifika Super Rugby Pacific captain said they struggled to maintain consistency and could not capitalise on their opportunities to build positive momentum.
“[It’s] very disappointing as a leader. We didn’t turn up today. Credit to the Georgian team. They came out and went on top of us,” he said.
Handling errors, missed tackles and problems at the set-piece prevented Samoa from building momentum throughout the match.
Peter Umaga-Jensen was a standout throughout the 80 minutes, moving the ball well and breaking Georgia’s defence.
But it was the kicking game that gave away valuable possession for the Samoans, who would have done better keeping the ball in hand and running it instead of going to the air.
They could not cleanly win back possession from their high kicks, while Georgia did well in that area.
Fai’ilagi said the loss was difficult for the team and its supporters.
“I’m gutted for the support of our country and our family and friends as well, but that’s on us,” he said.
“We have to stay tight and focus on next week.”
The first half an hour of the match was a defensive stalemate from both teams, neither wanting to give an inch of their tryline to be crossed.
Luka Matkava was forced to kicked there penalties to keep Georgia ahead, as Samoa defended bravely.
Captain and fullback Davit Niniashvili, leading by example, came up with a great try-saving tackle for Georgia when Samoa attacked.
Eventually, 26 minutes in, Duncan Paia’aua, with a lovely step inside, broke the Georgian defence. giving Samoa the first try of the game.
Georgia eventually got their first try as half-time neared, with Luka Ivanishvili getting over. It was a solid first half from the Lelos despite being reduced to fourteen men twice, and they led by nine points at half-time.
The second half was largely the same, both defences standing strong in the face of pressure, but Georgia, however, had two tries both ends of the half.
Manu Samoa did come back with a try to debutant Richie Asiata but it was not enough.
Tough loss
‘Ikale Tahi head coach Tevita Tuifu’a said losing to Spain was a tough one to take.
Tough because he knew his side had a lot of opportunities but were not able to convert those to positives on the day in Edmonton.
In the end 13 points separated the two teams and a late flourish on attack could not help the islanders as time ran out on them.
Twenty-two minutes in, scrum-half and captain Sonatane Takulua, with a lovely pick-up and audacious dummy, broke the deadlock and the ‘Ikale Tahi took a surprise lead.
That was one of the team’s three tries, while Spain got four ove the line.
Two penalties saw Spain win six extra points and three conversions saw them win the edge, while Tongan flyhalf Patrick Pellegrini was only able to get two conversions over.
Tonga showed good character all game, and it was by no means a comfortable victory, but Los Leones always looked the more dangerous side.
Hurricanes player Taniela Filimone grabbed a well-deserved consolation try in the end, after replacement Sekope Moli had also got his name on the scoresheet in the second half.
Tuifu’a said they will regroup and prepare for Portugal, who they will meet this coming weekend in their third and final game of this current round of matches.
“Lots of learnings. We did not use our opportunities well but these are things we can control and improve on,” he said.
“Spain took their chances, kicked the penalties and won well. We will bounce back for the next one.”
Tonga gave Sione Tui his debut match towards the end of the match.
Will Jordan scored three tries against Italy on Saturday to become the All Blacks’ all-time leading try scorer.
Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz
Special player
Meanwhile, in Wellington on Saturday afternoon, the All Blacks capped off another win, this time taking Italy’s scalp with a 47-17 scoreline.
The star was winger Will Jordan, who was handed the captain’s armband in the last 15 minutes of the game at the Hnry Stadium, following captain Ardie Savea’s exit from the game.
Jordan scored three tries to become the All Blacks’ all-time leading try scorer, with 50 tries, surpassing the mark set by former winger Doug Howlett, who managed 49 before he retired.
The 28-year-old wing said the record came quicker than he expected.
“This year, I think I had five [tries] to get there and how quickly it’s happened has certainly surprised me,” he said.
“I think that’s the way we’re trying to play, and use the ball and play positively – it’s been a by-product of that. I’m really loving the footy we’re trying to play.”
Captain Ardie Savea said he wasn’t surprised Jordan broke the record in just 56 tests. He said the Crusaders back had become one of the All Blacks’ most important players on and off the field.
“Special players do special things,” Savea said. “Every time he puts on the black jersey, he’s been outstanding and tonight he was again, breaking records.
“I’m more impressed with the impact he has around our group and his leadership, and just his rugby IQ and setting up our teams. Today’s an extra bonus that he dotted down three times.”
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie was full of praise for Jordan’s influence on the side and said witnessing history being made was special.
“Fantastic. He’s scored 50 in 56 tests – it’s just phenomenal. I’ve only been here for 10 percent of his tries,” Rennie said.
“He’s got unbelievable anticipation and then genuine gas to get himself in positions to take passes off linebreaks and so on.
“Ardie talked about his rugby IQ. He’s smart, really understands the game well.
“He’s leading our tamahi tuatahi group, which is our counterattack, turnover-attack type of things, and first act, which is all the quick taps, and he’s having a massive impact in that area too.”
