In this bulletin:
1. RUGBY — Samoan PM: Government will set up new rugby union
2. RUGBY — Fijian Drua target breakthrough on the road in Auckland
3. FOOTBALL — Draw confirmed for OFC Women’s Champions League 2026
4. FOOTBALL — OFC Pro League Round 5 Fixtures Confirmed
5. RUGBY LEAGUE — Melbourne Storm say Eli Katoa may never play again
6. RUGBY — Fiji rugby restructure to affect certain positions & staff
7. RUGBY — To new heights
8. RUGBY — Wallabies snare All Blacks assistant as defence coach
9. RUGBY — Brumbies’ Meredith keeping lid on Wallabies chatter
10. RUGBY — Argentina go back to back as perfect USA take gold in Montevideo
SAMOA – RUGBY: RNZ PACIFIC PACNEWS: Tue 24 Mar 2026
Samoan PM: Government will set up new rugby union
APIA, 24 MARCH 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC)—Samoan Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa (La’auli) Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt says his government will work on setting up a new national rugby union to govern the sport in the country.
Respondng to queries from RNZ Pacific, his office said that since the current Lakapi Samoa board members are not going to resign, as La’auli had demanded in a letter to the national union, work will now begin on establishing a rival national union.
La’auli had demanded three months ago that then-Lakapi Samoa chairman Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, his board members and the union’s management resign before he would sign a new funding agreement that would see AUD$150 million (US$105 million) given by the Australian government to fund rugby programmes in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.
Tuilapea resigned a fortnight ago, but his board members have written to the La’auli advising him they are not going anywhere.
Tuilaepa has been replaced by Lakapi Samoa president Namulauulu Sami Leota, as interim chairman.
“The Prime Minister’s position remains, to have the Samoa Rugby Union cleared of politicians and the management needs complete change as the current Samoan dismal rugby results over the years is a direct reflection on management,” his office said in response to questions.
“The Prime Minister has just received a response from the union to his letter sent three months ago giving his position. The union has rejected this position.
“He has already given the alternative that the government will support the establishment of a new union if the current management insists to remain.”
La’auli’s office said he has already advised Rugby Australia and World Rugby chairman.
RNZ Pacific has contacted World Rugby about the issue.
“We are not going to comment on a domestic matter,” World Rugby said in an email response.
However, past cases of such nature had seen unions being penalised and temporarily suspended, if there were government or external interventions.
A similar case was when the Fijian government interfered with the Fiji Rugby Union in 2023, which eventually saw Fiji being temporarily suspended by World Rugby.
World Rugby maintains a strict zero-tolerance stance on government interference in the affairs of national rugby unions, treating it as a violation of its bye-laws and governance regulations, as the world body requires that national unions remain fully responsible for the organization of rugby within their territory and act independently of state authorities.
World Rugby often suspends the union from the World Rugby Council, resulting in a reduction or freezing of funding.
La’aulii had refused to sign a new Pacific Rugby programme with the Australian government until the change he wants is effected.
The AU$150 million (US$105 million) is aimed to help Fiji, Samoa and Tonga with new rugby programmes over the next five years.
His office said La’aulii wants the new programme to get off the ground and receive the funding needed, and has revealed he wants to meet with the prime ministers of Fiji, Tonga and Australia about the Rugby partnership and Samoa’s support going forward.
“The agreement requires the government signature and endorsement of the funds allocation, distribution and reporting,” his office said.
“He has already informed Australia by letter of his support of the Agreement for the new Pacific Rugby Partnership as he does not want Samoa to miss out.”
And he is also determined now to get the new union established.
“Now that Union has responded and rejected the PM’s position to step down and for a new management to take over, the next step now is the establishment of a new Union which has the support of former players, coaches and supporters both in Samoa and overseas,” his office said.
Former prime minister and former Lakai Samoa chairman Tuilaepa had told RNZ Pacific last week that there are systems to follow, in accordance with the Lakapi Samoa and World Rugby constitution on removing board members or the management.
He claimed La’aulii was playing a political game that would harm rugby in Samoa….PACNEWS
FIJI – RUGBY: FBC SPORTS PACNEWS: Tue 24 Mar 2026
Fijian Drua target breakthrough on the road in Auckland
NADI, 24 MARCH 2026 (FBC SPORTS)—The Fijian Drua are embracing one of their toughest challenges yet – chasing a long-awaited first away win when they face The Blues in Auckland this weekend.
Still searching for success on the road since joining the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition, the Drua know the task ahead is steep, especially against a side they have yet to beat.
But captain Frank Lomani says the team is not shying away from the pressure, instead using it as motivation to finally deliver away from home.
Lomani admits their biggest hurdle remains their record on the road, but believes the solution lies in preparation and smarter execution.
“Away game, bigger challenge. We haven’t won a game away, and that is a big challenge for us to go to Auckland and put on a show there. To win games, it takes prep, and we have to make sure that we train well… we haven’t won an away game in a very long time.”
Despite that, the Drua are backing their physicality – a key part of their identity — but Lomani says they must now convert that dominance into points.
“The positives is that our physicality is still there. We want to dominate teams, but when we get the ball back, we just need to make sure that we play and make use of our foot players instead of just kicking the ball away.”
With confidence building from recent performances, the Drua are now focused on turning effort into results — and proving they can win anywhere.
They will take on the Blues at 6.05pm (FT) this Saturday….PACNEWS
PAC – FOOTBALL: OFC PACNEWS: Tue 24 Mar 2026
Draw confirmed for OFC Women’s Champions League 2026
AUCKLAND, 24 MARCH 2026 (OFC)—The draws for the OFC Women’s Champions League 2026 and OFC Women’s Champions League 2026 – Qualifying have been confirmed at the OFC Home of Football – Te Kahu o Kiwa in Auckland.
The OFC Women’s Champions League 2026 will be held in Solomon Islands from 26 June to 09 July, with the qualifying tournament to be held in the Cook Islands from April 21-27.
Seven clubs will compete in the OFC Women’s Champions League, with one group to feature four teams, and the other to include three teams. The top two sides from each group will advance to the semi-finals.
Two-time defending champions Auckland United FC of New Zealand have been drawn alongside Drehu Athletico Club of New Caledonia and the qualifying tournament winner in Group B, whilst two-time runners-up Hekari Women FC of Papua New Guinea are joined by 2025 semi-finalists Henderson Eels FC of Solomon Islands, Ba Women FC of Fiji and Tafea FC of Vanuatu, in Group A.
The OFC Women’s Champions League 2026 – Qualifying tournament will see host club Puaikura FC of Cook Islands, Nukuhetulu FC of Tonga, and PanSa FC of American Samoa, play each other in a single group format, with the winner to join Group B in the championship.
The OFC Women’s Champions League 2026 is the fourth edition of the tournament since its inception in 2023, with Auckland United FC having won each of the last two tournaments, and AS Academy Féminine of New Caledonia winning the inaugural title in 2023…..PACNEWS
PAC – FOOTBALL: OFC PACNEWS: Tue 24 Mar 2026
OFC Pro League Round 5 Fixtures Confirmed
AUCKLAND, 24 MARCH 2026 (OFC)—Fixtures have been confirmed for Round 5 of the OFC Pro League, kicking off on Saturday, April 11 in Fiji.
After another action-packed round in Honiara, Solomon Islands, focus now turns to Ba and Suva, with the final round of fixtures in the first phase of the inaugural competition set to determine who will qualify for the Leaders and Challengers Group respectively.
HFC Bank Stadium in Suva and Ba’s Four R Stadium, Govind Park will host 12 Round 5 matches, with the latter also hosting the two rescheduled matches from Round 3, with South Island United facing Auckland FC and South Melbourne FC taking on Tahiti United on April 21.
Vanuatu United FC and South Island United will open the round on Saturday April 11, followed by Tahiti United taking on Solomon Kings FC that evening.
The opening weekend continues with a top-two clash between Auckland FC and South Melbourne FC before hosts Bula FC face-off against PNG Hekari FC…..PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY LEAGUE: RNZ PACIFIC PACNEWS: Tue 24 Mar 2026
Melbourne Storm say Eli Katoa may never play again
MELBOURNE, 24 MARCH 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC)—Tongan rugby league player Eliesa Katoa may never play the game again, according to Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy.
Katoa had brain surgery in November as a result of head knocks he received during the Tonga and New Zealand Kiwis Pacific Championships match in Auckland.
The first was a head knock with a team mate during the pre-game warm up, followed by two more high hits during the match.
The 25 year old backrower was ruled out of the 2026 season but now Melbourne Storm coach Bellamy has revealed that Katoa may never return to the NRL.
“He’s doing really well at the moment,” Bellamy told Channel 7.
“I don’t know if he’ll play next year… I don’t know if he’ll play again.
“The doctors haven’t made that decision, and I don’t know when that decision will get made to be quite honest.
“I imagine after a certain amount of time he’ll have more tests and go from there. It was a major injury, and we want him to live the rest of his life in a normal way, so fingers crossed.”
As a part of his recovery Katoa has been working with the Melbourne Storm forward pack…..PACNEWS
FIJI – RUGBY: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS: Tue 24 Mar 2026
Fiji rugby restructure to affect certain positions & staff
SUVA, 24 MARCH 2026 (FIJI TIMES)—The Fiji Rugby Union landscape has been rocked by a brutal “fit for purpose” restructure, with senior operations officer Tiko Matawalu being one of the casualty in a sweeping organisational cull.
Chief executive Koli Sewabu said the FRU is undergoing an overhaul as the union chases a new strategic vision.
The removal of Matawalu marks a shift in the FRU’s power dynamics.
While Sewabu stopped short of calling it a personal redundancy, he made it clear the traditional role has been dismantled.
“We are trying to build what we call a fit-for-purpose organisation.
“When you go through a restructure, there are some positions that are no longer required, based on the vision we are going into,” he said.
The CEO said that it does not only affect one person. “A number of staff will be affected by that, not only one person.”
Sewabu revealed that certain positions have been fundamentally transformed.
“It’s not just one position, that position has been expanded and it has got a number of portfolios and skill sets needed for the new direction we are heading into.”…..PACNEWS
FIJI – RUGBY: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS: Tue 24 Mar 2026
To new heights
SUVA, 24 MARCH 2026 (FIJI TIMES)—The rise of the Vodafone Fijiana XV in the Pacific women’s rugby landscape has been impressive, largely due to the opportunities provided by the Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship.
Before the tournament became a regular fixture, Fiji’s women’s rugby struggled to find consistent international competition.
With each edition, Fijiana players gained valuable experience facing strong regional rivals like Samoa and Tonga.
Their dominant 48-3 win over Tonga in the 2024 Championship highlighted not just their speed and skill but also improved game tactics and fitness—clear signs of growth nurtured through regular competition.
The Championship has opened doors for Fiji on the world stage.
Their dominant performances earned them qualification for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup and the WXV 3 tournament in 2023
This exposure has raised the team’s profile attracting more supporters back home.
Beyond the international success, the Championship has sparked greater interest in women’s rugby across Fiji.
More girls are now picking up rugby at schools and clubs, inspired by the national team’s achievements.
The Fiji Rugby Union has also been stepping up with better training programs to build on this momentum.
Overall, the Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship has been a gamechanger for Fiji, turning raw potential into performance and giving women’s rugby the boost it needed to grow…..PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY: AAP PACNEWS: Tue 24 Mar 2026
Wallabies snare All Blacks assistant as defence coach
SYDNEY, 24 MARCH 2026 (AAP)—The Wallabies have struck a timely trans-Tasman blow, securing former All Blacks assistant Scott McLeod as defence coach for the next three years.
McLeod was a member of the All Blacks coaching staff at the past two Rugby World Cups, serving under Steve Hansen and Ian Foster and alongside the likes of Mike Cron and incumbent Wallabies mentor Joe Schmidt.
Now he will be helping plot New Zealand’s downfall at next year’s global showpiece in Australia, when the Wallabies and All Blacks will square off in the pool stages for the first time.
The 53-year-old will join the Australian set-up ahead of the August 8 Test against Japan, which will mark Les Kiss’s first game as Wallabies head coach.
Current assistant Laurie Fisher, who rejoined the Wallabies in 2024 under Schmidt, will transition to a consultancy role, ensuring continuity across the Australian men’s high performance system.
Born in Brisbane, McLeod was raised in New Zealand and represented the Chiefs across 44 games and the All Blacks in 10 Tests as a centre.
After an eight-year playing stint in Japan, McLeod returned to New Zealand to embark on a successful coaching career with Waikato, the Chiefs and the Highlanders, before taking on the role of All Blacks assistant coach in 2017.
He remained a key figure in New Zealand’s national set-up for the next seven years – including at the 2019 and 2023 World Cups – and has most recently served as an assistant with the Kubota Spears in the Japan Rugby League One competition.
“I am very excited to return to international rugby, especially to join up with Les and the team to build on the foundations that have been put in place,” McLeod said.
“There is a lot of excitement building within Rugby Australia and I am really committed to doing my part. I am looking forward to connecting with RA, the players and everyone who is invested in this team.”
Rugby Australia’s director of high performance Peter Horne said he and Kiss had been in constant discussion with McLeod for months.
“We could see the value he would bring to the Wallabies coaching team and management as a whole,” Horne said.
“From the Highlanders’ first Super Rugby title in 2015 to the most recent Rugby World Cup final, Scott’s resume and reputation are of the highest calibre and I am confident he will make a positive impact on the Wallabies,” he said…. PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY: AAP PACNEWS: Tue 24 Mar 2026
Brumbies’ Meredith keeping lid on Wallabies chatter
SYDNEY, 24 APRIL 2026 (AAP)—Brumbies playmaker Declan Meredith believes he will be ready if he gets the Test nod this year following high praise from Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt.
Meredith, 26, has piloted the ACT side to third on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder and will steer the Brumbies in their clash with arch-rivals NSW on Friday night in Canberra.
Shifting from the bench into the No.10 jersey after the departure to Japan of Noah Lolesio, Meredith has impressed many with his maturity under pressure, including Schmidt.
Able to play fullback or wing, Meredith also possesses valuable speed.
“Having watched him at Brumbies training, he also is quite commanding in the way that he runs the team, in that others are looking for direction,’ Schmidt recently told Stan Sport.
“Declan’s done a longer apprenticeship than most coming into Super Rugby.
“Some of the other guys, they come in very young and it’s hard to see the wood for the trees sometimes at 10, with that step up and pressure – and when you get to Test level, that wood’s a lot thicker.
“Having had those experiences and built on them, I think it just allows him to see more, and stay calmer, and be more decisive.”
Meredith said he was happy to have his name thrown around in the Wallabies mix, but he was keeping his focus firmly on the Brumbies.
“I think I would be ready for it, but obviously it’s definitely a massive step up to go from club to Wallabies level,” the Cairns product said on Monday.
“The best thing I can do is just keep my focus here, keep building on my game, keep developing that, and then if the opportunity ever came it’d be nice, but definitely the focus is here.”
Meredith said he hadn’t changed his game but was savouring the opportunity to play more match time rather than a bench role.
“Bernie (coach Stephen Larkham) is really encouraging me to just play my own game, which is really benefiting me … and just the confidence he’s putting into me, the boys around me are putting into me, it’s allowing me to play the style that I like to play,” he said.
The Waratahs will be smarting after letting slip a 20-8 second-half lead, with the Blues running out 35-20 victors last round.
They sit outside the finals-bound top six in seventh spot on the ladder with two wins from five matches.
But coaching against his former side, Tahs boss Dan McKellar is certain to get his troops firing for the match.
Meredith could square off against a former mentor in Jack Debreczeni, who shifted from Canberra to Sydney in the off-season.
“Everyone knows ‘Tahs’ week’ is a massive week and it’s a big rivalry,” Meredith said.
“There’s a couple of familiar faces we’re coming up against, so it’s going to be quite an exciting game.’ …. PACNEWS
ARG – RUGBY: WORLD RUGBY PACNEWS: Tue 24 Mar 2026
Argentina go back to back as perfect USA take gold in Montevideo
MONTEVIDEO, 24 MARCH 2026 (WORLD RUGBY)—Argentina’s women’s sevens squad claimed back-to-back HSBC SVNS 2 titles with four wins from five in Montevideo and made certain of their place in the season-ending three-tournament HSBC SVNS World Championship Series.
Spain and South Africa finished second and third, a reversal of their Nairobi positions to claim two of the remaining three tickets to Hong Kong, Valladolid and Bordeaux, while Spain have one hand on a pass to the showpiece events.
China head to next weekend’s final HSBC SVNS 2 Series tournament in Sao Paulo in the fourth and final qualification slot – with Brazil and Kenya chasing hard.
In the men’s competition, Germany and USA booked their tickets to the season-ending HSBC SVNS World Championship Series, with commanding performances over two days in Montevideo. The top two sides in Nairobi last month swapped final places, as USA bagged the title in Uruguay with a perfect five wins from five matches at Estadio Charrua.
Kenya and Uruguay, meanwhile, are well-placed in the third and fourth qualifying positions heading into Sao Paulo, but they will have one eye on Belgium and Canada when the teams take to the pitch next weekend
Argentina double up HSBC SVNS 2 titles
After heavy downpours on Saturday, the sun shone on the fans and the players at Estadio Charrúa. Despite the much-improved conditions, Argentina’s second HSBC SVNS 2 title in a row, following their promotion from HSBC SVNS 3 in January, was far from straightforward.
Player of the tournament Maria Brigido Chamorro broke clear to score the decisive comeback try with the clock in the red as the eventual champions fought their way back from behind to beat Spain 14-12 in their opening match on day two. It was their third close-call in four matches, after they were twice taken to golden point extra time on day one.
With mutual qualification assured and with Montevideo gold on the line, Argentina staged a high-intensity final match showdown against fellow qualifiers South Africa to the crowds delight.
The two sides scored a try apiece inside the opening 90 seconds, but second-half touchdowns for Talia Rodich, Candela Delgado, and Marianela Escalante settled matters in favour of the South Americans 22-10. South Africa had opened the second day with a formidable 27-0 shutout of Kenya – with Byrhandre Dolf and Patience Mokone both scoring doubles.
Spain, too, have one hand gripping a pass to the HSBC SVNS World Championship Series, after Maria Calvo scored a try in each half, and Ana Cortes added a third in a breathless 19-12 win over China. Earlier, China had been by far the faster out of the blocks in the opening match on day two against Brazil. Qian Xin scored an unanswered first-half triple, and Le Zhang added another in the second, as they withstood a second-half comeback to win 22-15. Tries at either end of the match for Bianca Silva gave Brazil a much-needed confidence-boost heading into next weekend’s final HSBC SVNS 2 tournament in Sao Paulo, as they beat Kenya 19-12 to keep their World Championship hopes alive.
Five-star USA claim Montevideo gold
USA were made to work to maintain their unbeaten run in Montevideo against a winless Belgian side they had beaten 40-0 in Nairobi. But two tries for player of the tournament Will Chevalier and a late score for Steve Tomasin handed them a 17-5 win that means they are early qualifiers for the HSBC SVNS World Championship Series.
A second double of day two for Will Chevalier, and a first SVNS try for Tucker Trickey confirmed USA’s superiority in South America as they beat fellow World Championship qualifiers Germany 29-5. Surprise winners in Nairobi, Germany had earlier recorded their fourth straight win in Montevideo, a disciplined 12-7 victory over a game Kenya.
Pedro Hoblog scored two as hosts Uruguay gave the home crowd basking in the Sunday sun plenty to cheer about with a five-try 33-0 win over Canada, who have yet to win a match in the HSBC SVNS 2 Series.
An efficient Kenya led by hat-trick hero Patrick Odongo Okong’o – beat Uruguay 22-14 in a match featuring three yellow cards, but even that result could not silence the party atmosphere in the crowd on the final match of the tournament.
Earlier, Morgan Di Nardo scored three of Canada’s seven tries as they ended a run of nine straight HSBC SVNS 2 defeats with a 41-14 win over Belgium in the two sides’ last outing of the weekend….PACNEWS