Sportin Wales Combined Team of the Season Vote - Openside Flanker:

He’s a better openside

De Villiers inspired by Bok breakdown bandit Stormers openside flank Paul de Villiers says he learned as a primary school pupil from watching one of the best in the business. The 23-year-old, who is set to make his first appearance in the green and go… sarugbymag.co.za/de-villiers…

Stormers openside flank Paul de Villiers says he learned as a primary school pupil from watching one of the best in the business. sarugbymag.co.za/de-villiers…

Seattle strikes back! Some sustained pressure up front and an amazing Coetzer kick to the openside gets Seattle a try. Coetzer misses the converrsion, but the Seawolves are still within one score. 71' | @SeawolvesRugby 34 - 40 @CalLegion

An insane run of play, as the Legion drop the ball in pick-and-go phases on Seattle's line, Matthews brings it up to midfield, and Warner breaks the line and sends off a kick to McLean on the openside for the try! Coetzer converts, tied! 34' | @SeawolvesRugby 13 - 13 @CalLegion

This game should show everyone that Leicester Fainga'anuku just isn't a serious openside flanker at the top level. Can't handle the speed of the game, is the slowest to get back when the Chiefs make a break - the opposite of what your 7 needs to do.

In the starting 15, Karalaini Naisewa (1) starts at loosehead prop, with Tiana Robanakadavu (3) at tighthead. Captain Bitila Tawake (2) will start at hooker. In the middle row, the lanky Karavaki Lutumaibau (4) partners Carletta Yee (5). Nunia Daunimoala (6) lines up at blindside flanker with Fisher (7) at openside. Nakesa ( 8 ) starts the match at number 8. In the backline, Lomani (9) starts at halfback, partnering Varanisese Qoro (10) who is at flyhalf. Aqela Raitubu (11) starts on the left wing with Repeka Tove(14), who returns from an injury to start on the right wing. Josivini Naihamu (12) retains her place at inside centre with Nakacia (13) at outside centre. A positional change has seen Ivamere Rokowati (15) move from centre to start at fullback.

Nakacia to debut, Nakesa shifts to No.8 ⛵️ Read more⬇️ McDonald’s Fiji Drua Women’s Head Coach Mike Legge has made a few changes to his matchday squad ahead of their first home game of the 2026 Super Rugby Women’s season this Saturday. Hosting the Western Force at Churchill Park in Lautoka, the side welcomes Vika Nakacia, who will be officially making her Drua debut at outside centre. Fans are encouraged to pack the stands this Saturday, with plenty of exciting giveaways on offer. The first 500 supporters through the gates at 1pm will receive free Drua flags thanks to Punjas Fiji, one lucky Jack’s Fan of the Match will walk away with a $250 shopping voucher, while the Tanoa Hotels Hypers will also be handing out free t-shirts at half-time. Originally from Matacawalevu, Yasawa, with maternal links to Navotua, Yasawa, Nakacia joins the Drua from Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s. The former Ba Provincial Free Bird Institute student also represented the Yasawa Women’s Rugby team. Legge has reshuffled his forward pack, naming the powerful Mereoni Nakesa at No.8. Last week’s Tropik Wood Top Tackler, Alfreda Fisher moves to openside flanker, while Kolora Lomani moves to halfback.

Next up in the 2025/26 National League Rugby 'Teams of the Season' it's 7. Openside 🎉Congratulations to: @Blackheath_1858's Noah Sloot #Nat1

Next up in the 2025/26 National League Rugby 'Teams of the Season' it's 7. Openside 🎉Congratulations to: @BSERugby's Trystan Andrews #Nat2E

Next up in the 2025/26 National League Rugby 'Teams of the Season' it's 7. Openside 🎉Congratulations to: @CamborneRugby's Jordan Nicholls #Nat2W

Next up in the 2025/26 National League Rugby 'Teams of the Season' it's 7. Openside 🎉Congratulations to: @Ioniansrufc's Adam Brankley #Nat2N

Lads whoever that stormers openside (number 6) is fucking class!! Hes everywhere and doing everything! Looks like a cracking player! #LEIvSTO

Trivia for the Late Sydney Gongodyo:🕊️ • Between 2022 and 2026, Sydney Gongodyo played 62 Premiership games for Pirates, starting 48 games. • Gongodyo’s 48 Premiership starts between 2022 and 2026. -Lock – 22 -Blindside Flanker – 08 - Openside Flanker – 01 -Eighth-man – 17 Most frequent lock pairings (22 starts at lock): - Frank Kidega (8 games) - Eliphaz Emong (6 games) - John Paul Atim (3 games) - Humphrey Tashobya (2 games) - Abel Agum (1 game) - Brandon Kebba (1 game) - Douglas Komakech (1 game) Most frequent loose forward partnerships in the 26 starts as a loose forward: - 11 games – Gongodyo, Humphrey Tashobya & Moses Zziwa. - 5 games – Gongodyo, Humphrey Tashobya & Alex Aturinda. - 3 games – Gongodyo, Musa Muwonge & Moses Zziwa. - 3 games – Gongodyo, Humphrey Tashobya & Desire Ayera. - 1 game – Gongodyo, Moses Zziwa & Alex Aturinda. - 1 game – Gongodyo, Humphrey Tashobya & Mubarak Wandera. - 1 game – Gongodyo, Humphrey Tashobya & Shadrack Manano. - 1 game – Gongodyo, Humphrey Tashobya & Frank Kidega. Powered by @isa_metrics 📸 Courtesy #FatCatsPod