Canakaivata defies odds to win 7s Rugby World Cup

Amid the house plants in a quiet corner of a bustling Grantham café, Fereti Tuilagi recites his family tree. It is not a straightforward task and it takes almost as long as the interview that follows. The 52-year-old "Freddie", donning his Samoan necklace - an'Ulafala - is the eldest of seven brothers, six of whom were or are international rugby…

South Africa's Siya Kolisi stands on the verge of history as Saturday night could see him emulate All Blacks legend Richie McCaw by becoming only the second player ever to win back-to-back World Cups as captain. The 32-year-old will become the most capped Springbok skipper at a World Cup when he leads his side out against New Zealand in the final…

ONE of the most whole-hearted players of his generation, Gary Mercer was twice part of a New Zealand team that beat Australia. The bulk of his professional career was here in England as he represented Bradford, Warrington, Leeds and Halifax with distinction before he moved into coaching in both codes. His son, Zach Mercer, won two England rugby…

Prebbleton harness racing trainer John McDermott has already surpassed his personal best and we're just over halfway through the current season. McDermott whose family is steeped in trotting history, has been training since 2009 and this season has trained thirteen winners. The team has been led by Ruby's A Delight (Bettor's Delight) (named after…

Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber were two gifted students who excelled at sport, while Ian Coates was a popular school caretaker who always went the extra mile. All three were stabbed to death in the horror and chaos that unfolded on the streets of Nottingham. Ms O'Malley-Kumar, 19, was studying medicine at the University of Nottingham. The…

Rob Rush got six minutes' game time for the Blues in his debut match against the Highlanders at Eden Park. Photo / Getty Images Six minutes on the park was more than enough time for Rob Rush to gauge the intensity of a Super Rugby match and to realise how much more it is for him to learn. The Northland Taniwha loose forward came off the bench in…

With four days to go before Ireland's showdown with England at the Aviva Stadium, here's today's Six Nations diary. Marcus Smith might be wearing splinters this weekend but he is also pleading for his squad not to splinter after their record humiliation against France. Andy Farrell's son Owen is expected to return to the side after enigmatic…

St. Mary's wide receiver Casey Smith knows he's one of the lucky ones. Ever since the pandemic began, recruiting has become tougher on high school players looking to find a home with college programs. Some top programs elect to fill their last roster spots through the transfer portal, rather than additional recruits. Fewer opportunities remain,…

Former Northland rugby centurion Ross Wright is helping co-coach Wellsford's Premier men's side this season. Photo / Michael Cunningham At 36, Ross Wright's age may be impacting his dynamism at a provincial level for Northland but the Taniwha centurion will deliver enough ball-carrying impact or defensive punch at a club level as a…

LOS ANGELES - As the stampede into the college football transfer portal continues, there is a popular conception of how it works: Players enter their names and are immediately deluged with calls from coaches; recruiting visits are lined up; and within days every player has a new home, where the grass is greener, the playing time is abundant and the…

The Princess of Wales has shared a good luck letter to England Rugby League teams today - as she said she'can't wait to see' the players in action. Kate Middleton, 40, a patron of England Rugby since earlier this year, penned the note to the teams ahead of Samoa match, which kicks off at 2pm today. In the letter, which was shared online this…

Sam Tomkins is imagining how he will feel on Saturday afternoon when he leads his country out in the opening match of their home World Cup. 'I'll probably be a little bit emotional,' the England captain admits to Sportsmail. 'I'm really proud to be English, so to be able to lead the country out in a sport that has been my love and passion from five…

Because on Tuesday, the Samoa national team arrive in the city to set up camp for the Rugby League World Cup which kicks off in just over a week. For the likes of Carl Hall, chief executive of Doncaster RLFC and one of the chief drivers of the World Cup coming to this corner of South Yorkshire, the disappointment of Sunday must quickly give way to…

Elia Canakaivata Jr was ready to hang up his rugby boots 10 months ago. He had lost his dad and brother in a car accident around the same time he was dropped from the national 7s extended squad. His dad, Elia Canakaivata, was his biggest fan and would watch all his games with brother in tow. Proud mother, Salome Ranadi, said her family was blessed…

NEVER tell Dean Ashton that reaching an FA Cup final is anything but special. The world's oldest competition has been accused over the years of losing its sparkle, of missing that special ingredient that made it the pinnacle of the football calendar. Others have claimed that the riches of the Premier League's "big six" have seen it become…

Nobody gave them a dog's chance to make unparalleled history but Shane Pinder and his band of raw recruits from S. Thomas' College turned the tide against all odds On April 13, 1959 one of the finest Sri Lankan rugby players named Royceton Shane Pinder was born in Colombo, lived in Bambalapitiya and was the torchbearer of the Thomian First XV…

Proud is an understatement for Black Ferns Sevens playmaker Gayle Broughton. Just this month, Broughton graduated from the New Zealand Institute of Heath and Fitness as a qualified Personal Trainer. The 23-year old was born and raised in Taranaki and joined the Black Ferns Sevens as an 18-year old in 2014. She's since played 112 matches, scored 315…

Among the yarns in Rory Best's recently released autobiography is the story of how his elder brother Mark made a bet with a Kiwi friend of the family in 2001 that Ireland were on the verge of beating the All Blacks. The wager was drawn up in an impromptu contract. Should the occasion of a maiden victory over the sport's most dominant side arrive,…

EVERY kid has his own dreams and aspirations to become the best in what they can become and with it comes a lot of challenges. Former Marist Brothers High School student, Angelo Smith wants to be a professional rugby player, and what better way to learn from when you're in a country where rugby is a religion. Angelo was visiting his uncle Peter…

Five brothers, a knack for footy and deep love for their home country: this is the story of the Slaimankhel family who created a championship-aspiring national team from nothing. From Afghanistan, then Pakistan before migrating to Auckland in New Zealand, the Slaimankhel boys were determined to create their own mould in a new country. After…

The story of Fiji 7s star Kaminieli Rasaku is one of perseverance, patience, hard work and a strong family-based support. His biggest support system and critic was his family talking him through the tough times in his rugby journey which started at Lelean Memorial School and then to Seremaia Bai's rugby academy. The 23-year-old joined his Top 14…

The Army Rugby side will be banking on its experienced players in todays' clash against Police in the Ratu Sukuna Bowl. The defending champion has named strong line-up that includes Skipper Cup winning Suva forwards Mateo Qolisese, Sireli Ledua, Manasa Saulo, Manoa Tamaya, Sorovakatini Tuifagalele, Ratu Meli Derenalagi and Elia Canakaivata. The…