Rugby player Talemaitoga Tuapati burst onto the local rugby scene earlier this year with powerful performances for the Air Pacific Fiji Warriors during the 2010 Pacific Rugby Cup tournament back in May. In fact so good was his form that he graduated from the Warriors and straight into the Flying Fijians starting line-up for the June Test against the Wallabies.

While few people may have heard of this new kid on the block, Tuapati is in fact a product of the Fiji Secondary Schools and Fiji Rugby Union age grade system.

“I started playing rugby at Ratu Kadavulevu School and then played for the Fiji Hot Breads (Under 18s) before playing for the Fiji Under 21 in 2004 and 2005,” Tuapati said.

In 2006 Tuapati moved to New Zealand and played for the Otago Colts and the following year moved to Invercargill, Southland where he remains to this day.

“I currently play hooker for the Southland B team and am also in the extended ITM squad so I am looking forward to getting some game time in the ITM Cup here in New Zealand.”

Hailing from Nasau, Moce in the Lau province the 26 year old Tuapati actually has sporting roots in cricket.

“Members of my family have played cricket for Fiji but I am the only one who has represented Fiji in rugby.”

Tuapati’s visit to Fiji earlier this year, to participate in the Pacific Rugby Cup and contest for a place in the Flying Fijians, was the first time he’d been back to Fiji in almost four years.

“Since coming to New Zealand in 2006 I had not been back to Fiji, so coming home to play for my country earlier this year was really special for me and my family and an awesome experience I will never forget.”

Tuapati is currently back in New Zealand and hopes to earn a playing contract in Europe next year, but for the moment his focus is on his country.

“I am training hard for a position in the 2011 Rugby World Cup team, which has been a dream of mine since I was 10 years old.”

While Tuapati is working hard on the pitch to fulfill his dreams, he’s now having to work equally hard off it having just started a family.

“I now have a family of my own with my son, named after my father, born in April this year and he keeps me really busy.”

Being born in New Zealand hopefully Tuapati junior will follow in the footsteps of his father and aim for the white jersey rather than the black one.

It's a tripple celebration for the Central Division .

This is after Rewa lifted the prestigious Innk Mobile Battle of the Giants trophy - the Lelean Memorial School U19 rugby team defended the Deans Trophy and the Naitasiri team hoisted the Digicel Cup over the weekend.

Rewa beat Navua 1-0 in the final, while Lelean crushed Ratu Kadavulevu School 36-18 and Naitasiri edged last year’s champion Nadroga 25-24 in the finals.

The Rewa soccer team captain, Simione Tamanisau says, Naitasiri and Lelean’s victories challenged the team before the final at Prince Charles Park yesterday.

“Well, just before the final we had a talk with the boys, we just put our hands together and said if our brothers from rugby can do it, we can do it too. The message to the players at half time , it’s been two weeks of training and staying away from your families , we have to make it worthwhile, so hard work has finally paid off this afternoon.”

Rewa’s golden goal was scored by Solomon import Abraham Inga in the 11th minute of the second half after both teams were locked nil all at the breather.

New Zealand import Adam Dickinson says soccer in Fiji is very tough and physical.

Dickinson who featured for Navua against Labasa in the first round of the Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants says the weather is a major factor when playing.

“Its really hot here its twenty to twenty nine degree so you know its really hot to play fast past soccer but I really enjoyed it and unfortunate to deserve win but will try to win next game”

Navua takes on Ba at 8pm on Thursday .

Commentaries of the Lautoka/Nadroga , Tavua/ Labasa and Ba versus Navua will air live on our sister station Radio Fiji Two with the voice of soccer Raymond Stoddart.

Nasinu and Tavua will need to register wins in their National Football League fixtures this weekend to escape relegation.

The two districts will be in action in the only super premier matches scheduled for this Sunday.

Nasinu will face off against neighbors Suva at the tfl National Stadium while Tavua will play host to the Fiji U20.

Tavua needs a win at home to move up further on the points table and avoid the last two places while a loss to Nasinu will dampen the spirits of the southerners who havent been impressive this season despite signing some players from other districts in the new player transfer window.

Tavua currently sits on ninth spot with 12 points while Nasinu sits at the bottom of the table with only 5 points. Nadroga is in 10th spot with 10 points.

The top three districts will not be in action this weekend as their players are committed with the Fiji Futsal squad.

Lautoka leads the points table with 44 points and is closely followed by Ba which has 39 points while Navua is in third spot with 35 points.

Apart from the Super Premier matches, a full round of Fiji Sun/Weet-Bix National Football League matches in the premier division will also be on.

Full fixtures:
Sunday 1st August TFL Stadium
3pm BIC Power Electric Suva vs Nivea Nasinu

Sunday 1st August Garvey Park, Tavua
3pm Tim Tam Tavua vs Skippy U20

Premier Division

Sunday 1st August
Ra Provincial Ground
3pm Energizer Nalawa vs Weet-Bix Vatukoula

Sunday 1st August, Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori
3pm Skippy Tailevu North vs VIVA Tailevu Naitasiri

USA, NewsCore, Tiger Woods' image has taken some major blows, but he remains the richest athlete in the USA according to a Sports Illustrated ranking.

The embattled golf star, who lost a string of endorsements totaling tens of millions of dollars following admissions of infidelity, pulled in $90 million. No. 2 on the list, Phil Mickelson, trailed his golf rival by nearly $30 million.

According to the Sports Illustrated poll, the average earnings of the top 50 athletes reached a record $26.2 million this year, based on salary, winnings, bonuses, endorsements and appearance fees.

There were 16 professional basketball players on the list, including LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal. The NFL had its best showing ever, with 15 players in the top 50. Rounding out the list were 13 baseball players, three NASCAR drivers, two golfers and Floyd Mayweather Jr. as the sole boxer.

A total of 24 teams will take part in the 4th Sanatan World Cup which will be held at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka from August 6-8.

Fiji is hosting the World Cup for the first and organizers and working around the clock to make the event one of the biggest and the best.

Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada based teams will compete in the two categories.

In the main competition, a total of 16 teams will battle it out for the World Cup while in the Masters Competition; there are a total of 8 teams.

Tournament organizer Dipak Sharma said the preparations are nearly complete and they are looking forward to the world stage event with a lot of optimism.

“This is the first time we are hosting the World Cup and we want to make the event a successful and memorable one for all,” he said.

“I am extending an invitation to all Sanatan followers around the globe as the event will bring people together in a carnival atmosphere and give them the best entertainment over the four days.”

“This is the fourth edition and interestingly all the host nations have won the World Cup title on their home soil and we have our chances this time around.”

“The World Cup is held after three years and Australia hosted and won the first World Cup while New Zealand and America hosted the second and third World Cups and won the titles respectively.”

“Apart from the World Cup, we will also be hosting a Sanatan Carnival at Lawaqa Park ground 2 and there will programmes every day and lots of rides and entertainment for people of all ages” added Sharma.

Fiji’s Ba, Nadi, Nadroga, Cuvu, Maigainiya, Nasinu, Vanua Levu and Seaqaqa will battle against Melbourne, Australia 1, Australia 2, New Zealand, Manukau, Wellington, USA, Edmonton and Canada in the main competition.

In the Masters competition; Fiji’s Nadroga, Ba, Cuvu and Korovuto will be up against Australia, New Zealand 1, New Zealand 2 and USA.

The pool draws of the Sanatan World Cup will be held in Nadi on July 31st.

The Closing Ceremony of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ is set to be a colourful, celebratory tribute to the tournament, the fans and their experiences in the host country during what’s been a memorable month.

The 30-minute night-time ceremony will take place at 18h30 on Sunday, 11 July 2010, at Johannesburg’s Soccer City Stadium - ahead of the showpiece 2010 FIFA World Cup final - and will feature some spectacular performances and unique special effects.

It will be broadcast live in 215 countries to an audience in excess of 500-million viewers and will feature 780 cast members and some of South Africa and Africa’s top musicians and dancers.

Columbian pop star Shakira will feature at her second successive FIFA World Cup closing ceremony, performing the hit song “Waka Waka” with South Africa’s Freshlyground. The catchy song has topped the global music charts in 15 countries and was the most watched video on the internet in the month of June, with over 70 million hits on You Tube to date.

The other artists at the ceremony include multiple Grammy Award winners Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Jozi, Stoan Seate, Slikour, Zuluboy, Abigail Kubeka, Theo Kgosinkwe, Afrikaans artists Nianell and flutist Wouter, Nigeria’s 2Face, Ghana’s Samini and popular local traditional group Ihashi Elimhlophe.

Derek Carstens, the OC’s Chief Marketing Officer said the Ceremony will have a distinctive African feel, with world-class technology and a contemporary, youthful theme.

“Africa’s first FIFA World Cup has showcased the unique and colourful spirit and warmth of the African continent and its people. The closing ceremony will pay tribute to that spirit with a world-class production. It will also be a tribute to the football that’s been played in the tournament, to the fans and their experiences. It will also be a reminder of what South Africa has offered the world over the last month and encourage fans to come back to our country in great numbers after the tournament,” said Carstens.

“While the opening ceremony was more traditional in its approach in order to do justice to Africa’s heritage, the closing ceremony will have more contemporary and youthful themes. It takes place at night, which will allow for more dramatic lighting and special effects. We urge those at the stadiums and those tuning in to take their seats early and not to miss what’s sure to be a spectacular show,” Carstens added.

The Soccer City stadium gates open on Sunday at 14h30, six hours before kickoff of the 2010 FIFA World Cup final at 20h30. The closing ceremony starts at 18h30 and spectators are urged to please be seated by 18h00 in order to be part of the historic closing ceremony of Africa’s first FIFA World Cup.

The commercial display areas at Soccer City will be fully operational from 2pm on final day and will offer a variety of fun-filled activities for early fans, with a number of transport options available from the City of Johannesburg.

Frank Lampard urged fans not to get too carried away after England bounced back to form on Wednesday to seal their passage into the FIFA World Cup™ second round. But in the next breath the Chelsea star stoked up expectations by insisting this England side has the potential to set the FIFA World Cup alight.

"We shouldn't get too carried away, just as we shouldn't get too down about our draw with Algeria," Lampard said after Jermain Defoe's first-half goal gave England a 1-0 win over Slovenia and with it the runner-up spot in Group C.

"There were a lot of positives today. We could have scored more goals, there are things we can improve on, but if we do that we can go far. We have to keep a steady head -- we can't talk about ourselves as world beaters, but at the same time there were a lot of positives this afternoon. We know if we are at our best and we play at our best we've got the chance to beat anyone."

England's 25,000-strong travelling band of supporters were an important ingredient in the team's victory at Port Elizabeth's Nelson Mandela Bay stadium, Lampard said. "The fans were fantastic. There was a special feeling on the way to the ground, when you look into their faces it can't help but get you going.
The stadium was basically alll England today.
Frank Lampard, England midfielder

"After all the negative things that have been said in the press [after a section of the fans booed England off following their 0-0 draw with Algeria in Cape Town] some fans could have been less vocal and less supportive. But they weren't, the stadium was basically alll England today. It was like a home game for us and that really lifted the lads. When they support the team in that way they are the best."

Lampard reflected on England's circuitous route to the last 16, with the opening 1-1 draw against the United States followed by the woeful goalless stalemate with Algeria and the Slovenia win. "Games can't always be brilliant, every player in the team can't always perform at his best, that's only natural. The important thing is how you react. We showed our determination and spirit on the pitch, we all showed what we can do today."

England missed out on claiming top spot in Group C due to the USA's stoppage-time winning goal against Algeria in Pretoria, but Lampard claimed finishing first or second was unimportant. "It doesn't matter if we finish first or second in the group. This way we have an extra day's rest [England play on Sunday, while the USA play their last-16 game 24 hours earlier]. We need to use that."