Matawalu sparks Glasgow thrashing of Treviso

Cult hero Niko Matawalu came off the bench to help Glasgow beat Italian club Treviso 41 - 7 to boost their Pro12 play off hopes..

Fijian flanker Manoa Vosawai's red card didn't help Treviso's cause as they struggled with one man down in the second half.

Bristol save Tagicakibau

This article from Thisisbristol.co.uk

BRISTOL will not risk Mike Tagicakibau against Cardiff on Sunday, in order to give him the best possible chance of facing Leeds five days later.
Bristol face a double-header in the next nine days that will help shape their season in both the British & Irish Cup and the Championship.

They need one point against Cardiff on Sunday to secure their place in the last eight of the British & Irish Cup, while a victory would guarantee a home tie in the last eight.
They then meet Leeds, five points and two places above them in the Championship, next Friday.

Tagicakibau, the Fiji back who can operate at wing or centre, suffered a recurrence of a leg injury in Friday's 14-8 win over Ulster Ravens and will not be considered to face Cardiff this weekend. He initially missed four weeks of action after suffering a slight tear at the back of the his knee, near the bottom of his hamstring, and has aggravated the problem.

Bristol academy coach Matt Sherratt, however, does not believe the injury is as severe as it was the first time round. "It was an aggravation of the injury he was out with before, but as far as time-scale goes, it's not as serious as the one before," said Sherratt.

"We'll wait until it settles down before we make a call on that but he won't play this weekend. That will then give him the best chance of playing in the next game."

Seta helps Taranaki win NZ Sevens tourney

Former Lelean Memorial School student Seta Tamanivalu played an impressive game on the weekend helping his Taranaki team at the NZ sevens in Queenstown. His massive fend in the final against Harbour was causing a stir on rugby forums this morning. (Video above). 'Did the phone ring? What happened' the commentator said.

Seta is 20 years old and plays for Spotswood United in Taranaki and is possibly looking at being selected for the NZ development team for the Uprising Sevens in Fiji.

Burotu scores for Biarritz

Biarritz recorded a comfortable bonus-point 32-6 win over Zebre. Fijian Seremaia Burotu scored Biarritz's other tries (Argentinian Marcelo Bosch scored two tries) Dimitri Yachvili converting three of them and also kicking two penalties.

Votu ready for Exeter

Courtesy of planet rugby

Exeter fans are likely to get their first glimpse of Fijian flyer Watisoni Votu in competitive action when they face Bath in the LV= Cup later this month.

After months of protracted paperwork to finally bring the talented 27-year-old to Sandy Park, head coach Rob Baxter admits it is somewhat of a relief to have finally got his man ready to play rugby.
"It seems everything is finally good to go," he said.

"It has taken a while to get everything sorted, but now we're looking to getting him up and running probably in the upcoming LV games and see where he goes from there."

Votu has been training with the Chiefs for several weeks following his involvement with the Fijian national squad, but he has been unable to be fully registered for the Aviva Premiership club until his international clearance had been received.

That has now been completed and Baxter is clearly keen to get the Lautoka-born back up and running.

"In some ways the delay will probably have done him some good as he has been able to spend more time training with us," said the Exeter coach.

"He's now a bit more settled in; we've got his base fitness to where we want it to be; and he's been in a nice relaxed environment and got to know a few of the guys and more about the club.
"Am I relieved he's finally here? Of course I am, just because we've wanted to have a good look at the guy for some time.

"In some ways it's been more of a shame for him rather than the club itself, simply because we've had fit players available and we've not been desperate to get a winger out on the pitch. Had we have got him here earlier in the season, then maybe he would have played some A League and LV= Cup games, even potentially had the odd Premiership game.

"Sadly that's not been the case for him, but these next few weeks should offer him a great opportunity to play some rugby and develop as a player."

Qaraniqio passes away

Former Nadroga and Fijian rugby rep Rupeni Qaraniqio has passed on. One of the greatest Fijian flankers he was part of the renowned Fiji team that beat the British Lions in 1977.

Known to close friends as 'quran' and on the field as 'the spoiler' he played along side other Fijian greats as Rodney Samuels, Ilaitia Tuisese, Ilisoni Taoba, Tui Cavuilati, Ravuama Latilevu and Nimilote Ratudina.

He also captained the Fijian team in some international games from 1976 to 1981. Aged 66 whe he passed on he is survived by his wife Verenaisi, four children and six grandchildren. He will be laid to rest this Saturday in his village in Cuvu.

For his playing history Click here

Nayacalevu video highlights for Stade Francais

Watch the higlights of this game between Stade Francais and Clermont. Nayacalevu with 2 tries, setting up another with a brilliant break and a try saving tackle. He looks bigger too since his sevens days.