In this bulletin:
1. RUGBY — Brumbies shellshocked after Drua ruin Wright’s return
2. RUGBY — Fijian Drua pay tribute to cyclone-hit compatriots after historic win
3. RUGBY — Waratahs defy emotional Pasifika, lightning for crucial win
4. RUGBY — Umaga fears Super Rugby exit could see Tonga and Samoa lost to rugby league
5. RUGBY — Zac Lomax stars as Force stun Crusaders in thriller
6. FOOTBALL — Tahiti United keep Leaders Group hopes alive with gritty win
7. FOOTBALL — PNG Hekari FC claim 2-1 victory over South Melbourne FC
8. FOOTBALL — Cook Islands dominant in opening win over American Samoa
9. FOOTBALL — Bula stun Auckland to seal Leaders Group spot
10. RUGBY — Historic weekend reaches glorious crescendo for the Blitzboks and Black Ferns Sevens
11. RUGBY — World Rugby joins WADA in supporting Play True Day 2026
12. RUGBY LEAGUE — NRL Casualty Ward: Turbo to miss Origin; Haas, Staggs, Kiraz in doubt
PAC – RUGBY: RUGBY.COM.AU PACNEWS: Mon 20 Apr 2026
Brumbies shellshocked after Drua ruin Wright’s return
CANBERRA, 20 APRIL 2026 (RUGBY.COM.AU)—Fijian Drua have pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Super Rugby Pacific history and ruined Tom Wright’s return in the process, downing the Brumbies 33-28 in a Canberra boilover.
The Drua entered Saturday night’s match at GIO Stadium having won just one of their past 33 matches on the road.
But they put that horrible record to the side, opening up a 22-7 lead by half-time before holding off a fast-finishing Brumbies outfit.
Drua players celebrated wildly when they stopped the Brumbies’ after-the-siren efforts to win the game, with the emotional toll of Cyclone Vaianu still playing on their minds.
“The boys showed a lot of ticker and a lot of heart,” Drua captain Temo Mayanavanua told Stan.
“These boys decided to come even though Cyclone Vaianu was affecting the country.
“Even throughout the cyclone, people were huddling in their homes.
“Some of the boys had mango trees falling on their roofs, but they decided to show up to training and put in the hard work.
“We wanted to create something special. We talked about creating history through the week.”
Brumbies players looked shellshocked as they attempted to digest the loss.
In his first match since tearing his ACL while playing for the Wallabies in South Africa last August, Wright provided two try assists and looked sharp.
But the Drua’s determination, power and speed proved too hard to stop.
The Brumbies received mixed news from the TMO across the first 15 minutes of the match, having one try ruled out, one try allowed, and having one of Drua’s tries wiped off.
Drua winger Manasa Mataele scored two tries in the first half to help his team to a 15-point lead by the break.
A long and powerful cut-out pass from Wright helped send Ollie Sapsford over in the 44th minute, reducing the margin to eight points.
But the Brumbies blew a golden chance to draw even closer in the 54th minute when Sapsford’s pop-up pass to flyhalf Declan Meredith was fumbled with the try line right there.
It proved extremely costly, with Drua scoring a try just a minute later when Simione Kuruvoli latched onto Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula’s cross kick to stroll over.
At 30-14 down, the Brumbies needed a slice of luck – and they received it in the 58th minute when Drua fullback Isikelis Rabitu was handed a controversial yellow card when he collided heads with Sapsford.
Sapsford was pushed forward while being tackled, with Rabitu having no time to react before the pair clashed heads.
Despite being knocked out cold in the clash and having to be stretchered off, Rabitu was still handed a yellow card.
Wright produced another assist in the 64th minute to allow Tane Edmed to scramble over on all fours, and the margin was just two points when Corey Toole steamed over in the 70th minute.
But the Drua held firm from that point on, with the win improving their season record to 4-5, while the Brumbies slipped to 5-4….PACNEWS
PAC – RUGBY: RUGBY.COM.AU PACNEWS: Mon 20 Apr 2026
Fijian Drua pay tribute to cyclone-hit compatriots after historic win
CANBERRA, 20 APRIL 2026 (RUGBY.COM.AU)—Fijian Drua’s captain Temo Mayanavanua says his players dedicated their historic Super Rugby upset of the ACT Brumbies to Fijian people still recovering from the impact of a damaging cyclone.
The Drua recorded a second win on the road in their five-year existence by toppling the Brumbies 33-28 in Canberra on Saturday night, boosting their own play-off hopes in the process.
Up 22-7 at the interval, aided by two tries to winger Manasa Mataele, the visitors saw off a surging finish from the Brumbies, sealing victory through a late penalty goal from fly-half Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula.
The Drua’s only other win in 34 matches outside Fiji came against Moana Pasifika in Auckland three years ago.
Skipper Mayanavanua said his team was driven by the plight of their country, which was battered last week by category 3 Cyclone Vaianu, which damaged homes and caused widespread flooding across Fiji.
He revealed there had been some criticism in Fiji directed at the players, who continued to train and play for the Drua, rather than help with cyclone recovery.
“People were huddling in their homes. Some of the boys had mango trees falling on their roofs, but they decided to show up at training and put in the hard work,” Mayanavanua told Stan Sport.
“We get criticised a lot but to get the job done, there’s nothing more deserving.
“And we dedicate this to the families that lost their houses during the cyclone. This win is for all of us.”
The Drua played with greater discipline than the error-prone hosts and were lethal on the counter-attack.
Their fourth win from nine games leaves them ninth but just four points behind the sixth-placed Crusaders.
The struggles of the defending champion Crusaders continued with an upset 31-26 loss to the Force, who trailed 19-0 but charged back to record their first home win of the season.
This week’s “Super Round” will feature all five games in Christchurch, at the city’s newly-built Te Kaha Stadium.
The Crusaders will open the round on Friday in a crucial match against the seventh-placed New South Wales Waratahs…..PACNEWS
PAC – RUGBY: SUPER RUGBY PACNEWS: Mon 20 Apr 2026
Waratahs defy emotional Pasifika, lightning for crucial win
SYDNEY, 20 APRIL 2026 (SUPER RUGBY)–The NSW Waratahs have ground out an essential bonus-point victory and denied Moana Pasifika an emotional triumph.
The hosts prevailed 29-14 on Friday in Sydney, but only after trailing 14-12 at halftime and being forced off with just 11 minutes remaining for 40 minutes due to nearby lightning strikes.
The weather forced the Duke and Duchess of Sussex Harry and Meghan, in the company of rugby royalty including John Eales, out of their seats in the second half.
Pasifika, whose ownership on Wednesday confirmed it would be unviable to continue funding the outfit beyond this year, started well and had their chances to build a lead early in the second half.
But twice they knocked on close to the line and then piggy-backed the hosts towards their own line with scrum ill-discipline and line-out errors.
Eventually, after some sloppy unforced errors of their own, the Waratahs pounced.
Isaac Kailea crossed after repeated, pounding efforts from close range, then Sid Harvey had his second to make it 22-14.
The fullback didn’t get a chance to convert his own try, players forced off due to the electrical storm and forced into the changerooms.
He hooked it past the upright on resumption but made a huge play to knock a ball loose just as Pasifika’s Solomon Alaimalo had broken clear.
Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa’s own hand then denied him a try near the posts, the flanker held up in goal with five minutes to play.
The Waratahs controlled possession for the final minutes and Folau Fainga’a’s rolling-maul try secured the extra point on the buzzer.
Earlier, Pasifika halfback Melani Matavao caused all sorts of problems in the first half with two tries from quick taps around the ruck.
The crafty No.9 played it perfectly, knocking on deliberately after earning the penalty before running through an offside Waratahs defence.
Tristan Reilly and Harvey, athletically diving into the corner, both scored to keep the hosts close at the break.
Victory broke a three-game losing streak to Pasifika and improved the Waratahs to 4-4 and in sight of the top six.
Moana (1-8) had lost their past seven games, conceding an average of 48.3 points in those losses, but arrived in Sydney with plenty to prove.
NSW Waratahs 29 (Tries: Reilly, Harvey 2, Kailea, Fainga’a; Cons: Harvey 2) def Moana Pasifika 14 (Tries: Matavao 2; Cons: Pellegrini 2)….PACNEWS
PAC – RUGBY: SMH PACNEWS: Mon 20 Apr 2026
Umaga fears Super Rugby exit could see Tonga and Samoa lost to rugby league
SYDNEY, 20 APRIL 2026 (SMH)—All Blacks legend Tana Umaga says he fears an exit of Moana Pasifika from Super Rugby Pacific could open the door for rugby league to take over Samoa and Tonga, and see the proud Pacific nations struggle to qualify for Rugby World Cups in the future.
Umaga, the outgoing coach of Moana Pasifika, issued the grim warnings after his side ended a “tough week” with defeat against the NSW Waratahs in Sydney on Friday night.
Sid Harvey dives over spectacularly for the Waratahs.
After five seasons in Super Rugby, Moana Pasifika’s future was thrown into grave doubt this week when the owners announced they would not be funding the franchise after this season.
The statement essentially declared Moana Pasifika would fold, but Umaga said players and staff are holding on to a “glimmer of hope” after New Zealand Rugby said it was talking to potential investors about keeping the outfit going.
One investor group is still looking for backers and dealing directly with the NZR about buying the licence.
Umaga, who had already announced he will be moving to the All Blacks staff after this Super Rugby season, said there was faint hope, but he also laid out his deep concern for rugby in the Pacific if Moana Pasifika is shuttered.
With World Rugby support, the franchise began in 2022 as an outlet for Samoan and Tongan players to play at a high level. However, unable to play in Samoa, they had to be based in Auckland and on and off field success was difficult to come by.
But Umaga said Moana had been a vital pathway for young Tongans and Samoans and without it, many players who are being selected to play Tests for their country could have to drop back to club rugby.
“The gap between where we are currently in terms of Samoa and Tonga internationally to where we need to get to is very big,” Umaga said. “And if we don’t have opportunities like Moana to keep bridging that gap, then it’s going to be tough.
“In the last four years, Samoa just scraped into the World Cup. The previous cycle before that was Tonga [just making it]. And if we keep going the way we’re going, we don’t want it to happen, but the possibility is that Samoa or Tonga might not make the next cycle of the World Cup.”
The threat of Samoa and Tonga falling behind the rest of the world is made even more perilous by the fact rugby league is growing in both countries, and the NRL was given a war chest by the Australian government as part of the Papua New Guinea Chiefs expansion deal. Rugby remains the national sport in Samoa and Tonga, but Umaga worries about how long that can last without pathways for elite players.
“If there’s nothing to compete against, then I’m sure that [league taking over] is probably something that we’ve got to be thinking about. That’s the real risk,” he said.
“It’s fine if we’re not there, but then what for Samoa and Tonga? Rugby league’s got a great product at the moment, and it’s very popular.
“They’ve got a lot of money that’s being put into it, and they’re all over the islands promoting it. The Pacific Islanders make up nearly 40 per cent of all players in the NRL, similar to rugby.
“Our people are made for the game, and they love the game, and they make up big numbers in it. But most of them, if they all go to league, then it’ll be a sad time and a sad place for where rugby should be.”
Tonga and Samoa are set to receive a big funding boost from the Australian government, worth about $50 million (US$35 million) each over five years, and there are plans to include teams from Fiji, Tonga and Samoa in an expanded version of Super Rugby AUS, the second-tier state competition launched last year.
The Fijian Drua used a similar platform – the now defunct National Rugby Championship – to become a Super Rugby side and Tonga and Samoa rugby unions are hoping that pathway could also possibly lead to them joining the competition in the future.
Umaga said joining Super Rugby AUS would be a great step.
“To make rugby stronger, you’ve got to have these pathways and these opportunities for these players to learn how to be better professionals and how to play in high-performance environments and play at the elite level,” he said.
“We know our boys can play the game – they’re super talented – but the rigours of playing quality rugby every week is probably something that’s not so much on the field that our players need to learn the most – it’s everything off the field.
“You don’t just turn up on a Saturday and play rugby like you did Tuesday, Thursday, training for an hour and a half at night.”
Meanwhile, Wallabies prop Angus Bell is set for a period on the sidelines after injuring his left ankle while playing for Ulster against Leinster in the United Rugby Championship in Belfast.
Bell is on a sabbatical from Australian rugby with Ulster and was due to return for the Wallabies’ July Tests, but this latest setback could see him miss those games.
Bell has previously battled foot injuries, missing large parts of the 2022, 2023 and 2024 seasons, but enjoyed a clean bill of health in 2025 and has been in strong form for Ulster this season.
Bell left the field on a medical cart and will undergo scans to work out the length of his rehabilitation period….PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY: AAP PACNEWS: Mon 20 Apr 2026
Zac Lomax stars as Force stun Crusaders in thriller
PERTH, 20 APRIL 2026 (AAP)—New recruit Zac Lomax has produced a series of highlights as the Western Force overcame a 19-0 deficit to stun the Crusaders 31-26 in Perth.
Lomax, making his first Super Rugby Pacific start following last week’s 20-minute cameo off the bench, was a key figure in several important moments during Saturday night’s match at HBF Park.
After trailing 19-0 by the 22nd minute, the Force stormed back into the contest, with Lomax’s try in the 54th minute levelling the scores and sending the 6,659-crowd wild.
Lomax went off in the 59th minute, and the Force edged ahead by five points in the 70th minute.
But in a dramatic finish, the Crusaders thought they had levelled the scores in the 75th minute, only for Macca Springer’s try to be rubbed off due to an earlier knock-on.
The Force defended grimly for the final three minutes of the contest, with Carlo Tizzano winning a crucial penalty at the breakdown to finally seal the win, with the result improving the Force’s record to 3-6 and keeping their finals hopes flickering.
Lomax wasn’t given much space to run in the first half, but he showed what a weapon he is under the high ball.
On three occasions when the Force launched a box kick, Lomax sprinted forward to nab it.
His best effort came on the stroke of halftime, when he not only caught the high bomb but was also able to dish it off before he landed, almost leading to a try for the Force.
Lomax also showed calmness under pressure for the Force’s only try of the first half.
After Dylan Pietsch’s burst of speed and no-look pass broke open the Crusaders’ defence, Lomax dished off an inside pass to Mac Grealy, who found Henry Robertson for the first of his two tries.
The Force held up the Crusaders over the line three times in the first half, with Tizzano playing a key role two times, and Lomax running in to play his part on one other occasion.
But the Crusaders still managed to score three first-half tries, with the visitors opening up a 19-0 lead by the 22nd minute when fullback Johnny McNicholl beat Force scrumhalf Robertson in a race for the dribbling ball.
Lomax couldn’t help but chuckle after being involved in a heated scrap with McNicholl in the 52nd minute.
And just two minutes later, Lomax was screaming in pure joy after a Ben Donaldson long pass allowed the former NSW State of Origin star to dive over in the corner.
That moment of magic levelled the scores, and although the Crusaders hit back shortly after, the Force notched tries through Pietsch and 100-game milestone man Harry Johnson-Holmes while the visitors were down to 14 men to take a lead they never surrendered….PACNEWS
PAC – FOOTBALL: OFC PACNEWS: Mon 20 Apr 2026
Tahiti United keep Leaders Group hopes alive with gritty win
SUVA, 20 APRIL 2026 (OFC)—Tahiti United have kept their faint hopes of qualifying for the Leaders Group alive with a 1-0 win over Vanuatu United FC at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
Requiring two wins from their final two matches before the league splits, they completed half the job in pursuit of a top four finish, increasing their points tally to 17 points – just one point behind fourth-placed Bula FC.
The game’s lone goal came moments before the break, Joseph Athale scoring as Samuel Garcia’s side held on for a crucial victory.
The scorer of two goals in Tahiti United’s 3-3 draw with South Island United three days earlier, captain Teaonui Tehau tested opposing goalkeeper Matthew Acton early on – forcing the keeper into a save with a shot from long range.
Aside from that, opportunities were at a premium throughout the first half, as both sides pressed for a breakthrough.
Athale snapped an effort straight at Acton, whilst Kathy Iamak likewise aimed straight at Jackson Gardner down the other end for Vanuatu United, as the first half appeared set for a goalless conclusion.
All it took was one momentary lapse from Vanuatu United though, allowing Germain Haewegene to get in-behind down the right flank in first half stoppage-time. He found his New Caledonian international teammate Athale at the back post, who slid in to score and give Tahiti United a crucial lead.
Missing the league’s joint top-scorer through suspension up front, Alex Saniel, it was apparent that Vanuatu United were missing an extra piece of quality in the final third, and were also lacking options on the bench – with just four subs available to coach Lars Hopp as the Chiefs began chasing the game.
An ugly collision between Bradley Ruiz and Franck Papaura also left Tahiti United undermanned, forcing coach Samuel Garcia into two changes before the hour mark – bringing on Manuarii Shan and Kevin Barbe.
Chances were again few and far between in the second period, despite a high intensity maintained by both side. Vanuatu United got themselves into a couple of promising positions, but the final ball remained a problem.
An attempted cross from Iamak that was almost deflected into the back of the net was the closest the Chiefs came to finding an equaliser.
In contrast, Tahiti United just about held their nerve to secure the victory, despite the tension threatening to boil over at times during the closing stages.
Already eliminated from Leaders Group contention prior to the match, Vanuatu United FC can now look forward to the Challengers Group in Auckland.
Meanwhile, Tahiti United’s faint hopes of a place in the top four remain alive, but they’ll need to beat South Melbourne FC in their remaining rescheduled Round 3 fixture next Monday evening in Ba, and hope other results go their way.
Tahiti United: 1 (Joseph ATHALE 45+4’)
Vanuatu United FC: 0
HT: 1-0 …PACNEWS
PAC – FOOTBALL: OFC PACNEWS: Mon 20 Apr 2026
PNG Hekari FC claim 2-1 victory over South Melbourne FC
PORT MORESBY, 20 APRIL 2026 (OFC)—A goal in stoppage-time has given PNG Hekari FC their second win of the OFC Pro League, defeating second-placed South Melbourne FC 2-1 in Ba, Fiji.
With the match PNG Hekari’s last of match of the regular OFC Pro League season, Jerry Allen’s men were determined to finish their stint in Fiji on a high. However a win for South Melbourne FC would strengthen their stance in the top-two, with South Island United chasing closely behind.
Under the sweltering conditions in Ba, it took eight minutes for the breakthrough as PNG Hekari FC’s Lekima Gonerau struck a sensational goal from long range, giving his side their first goal of Round 5.
Gonerau’s strike came immediately after the match was flipped on its head, when a VAR review saw South Melbourne FC’s Alex Menelaou given a red card in the seventh minute, leaving the Hellas’ down to ten men.
Their opponents didn’t let the foot off the brake firing several shots towards Jake Charlston’s goal and holding most of the possession for the half with persistent attacking pressure, but the ten men held firm.
Ishveer Singh went close for the Australian side when he controlled the ball in open space and whipped a shot towards the far post, while Aaron Cocks later fired a powerful strike that sailed over the crossbar.
Both teams started brightly in the second-half, with South Melbourne making three changes at half-time, including bringing on Marco Jankovic, who lifted his team with a goal in the 58th minute. The equaliser came through a neat set-piece play as Jankovic nodded home from a corner to bring his side level.
PNG Hekari’s Logan Biwa broke into open space on the counter and found himself one-on-one with the keeper, but his shot sailed wide, with the offside flag saving his blushes. PNG Hekari had a few more promising chances but lacked the finishing touch, while South Melbourne continued to push for a winner – forcing goalkeeper Biasu into a few brilliant saves.
Jerry Allen’s men remained persistent, with substitute Ati Kepo scoring the winner in stoppage-time, beating the defence and hurdling over the keeper to calmly finish and seal the result for his team.
The win sees PNG Hekari claim their second win of the OFC Pro League, and will now prepare for their campaign in the Challengers Group in New Zealand, while South Melbourne FC move to 23 points, with one game to spare in Fiji against Tahiti United before the league splits.
South Melbourne FC: 1 (Marco JANKOVIC 58′)
PNG Hekari FC: 2 (Lekima GONERAU 7’, Ati KEPO 90+1′)
HT: 1-2…PACNEWS
PAC – FOOTBALL: OFC PACNEWS: Mon 20 Apr 2026
Cook Islands dominant in opening win over American Samoa
PORT MORESBY, 20 APRIL 2026 (OFC)—A dominant attacking display from the Cook Islands has secured a 10-0 victory over American Samoa in the opening match of OFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2026 – Qualifying, held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
Tuka Tisam’s Cook Islands side scored five goals in either half – Metuamaru Arere and Tehanarei Nga both leading the way with hat-tricks.
The result is the Cook Islands largest victory at U-16 level in either men’s or women’s competition, and a statement of their intent as they look to return to the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship for the first time in two years.
Setting the tone early, the breakthrough for the Cook Islands came through Tehanarei Nga in the fourth minute, who calmly slotted the ball into the top right corner to give her side the lead.
Just three minutes later Nga struck again for her second, before the forward continued her standout performance by completing her hat-trick inside the first ten minutes with a well-placed effort toward the far post, capping off an impressive individual display.
With momentum fully in their favour, the Cook Islands continued to dominate, with Juhani Mustonen adding her name to the scoresheet alongside Metuamaru Arere – opening up a five-goal advantage at the break.
Arere completed her hat-trick with three more goals in the second half, whilst Mamia Piri-Savage and Michelle Tangatakino rounded out the scoring as the Cook Islands reached double digits in stoppage-time.
American Samoa struggled to gain a foothold in the contest, with only rare ventures forward, as the Cook Islands maintained control across both halves.
The emphatic win sets up a potential decider for the Cook Islands with hosts Papua New Guinea for a place OFC U-16 Women’s Championship in their next match on Friday, while American Samoa will aim to regroup ahead of their next fixture on Tuesday.
American Samoa: 0
Cook Islands: 10 (Tehanarei NGA 4′, 8′, 10′, Juhani MUSTONEN 15′, Metuamaru ARERE 18′, 52′, 67′, 77′, Mamia PIRI-SAVAGE 84′, Michelle TANGATAKINO 90+1′)
HT: 5-0…PACNEWS
PAC – FOOTBALL: OFC PACNEWS: Mon 20 Apr 2026
Bula stun Auckland to seal Leaders Group spot
BA, 20 APRIL 2026 (OFC)—Bula FC have confirmed their place in the Leaders Group with a 2-1 victory over Auckland FC in their final home game of Round 5 at 4R Electrical Govind Park in Ba.
Under the pump for large stages, both of Bula’s goals came in the first half from Roy Krishna and Sterling Vasconcellos – condemning Auckland FC to just their second defeat of the campaign, and completing a day of upsets which saw both of the league’s top two sides lose.
The win pushes Bula FC’s points tally up to 21 on the Pro League table, ensuring a top four finish and a spot in the Leaders Group, where they’ll meet Auckland again in May.
It took several quality saves from goalkeeper Didier Desprez just to keep Bula FC afloat inside the first ten minutes – denying Kian Donkers from close range and Liam Gillion from a direct free kick. James Bayliss also had an effort cleared off the line from Bula defender Scott Wara as Auckland made a dominant start.
Lucky not to find themselves trailing, the hosts instead took the lead against the run of play in the 14th minute. Scott Wara flicked on a free kick delivery, which Sterling Vasconcellos turned into the back of the net at the back post.
The league leaders continued to control possession and the tempo after conceding, keeping Desprez busy with a long-range shot from Matty Ellis. They were made to rue a clinical touch when Bula doubled their advantage.
National hero and Fiji’s all-time top goalscorer, Roy Krishna, reminded the region of his talent, catching Auckland FC on the counter and scoring with a superb solo finish in the 35th minute for his third goal of the season.
For all their dominance on the basis of play though, Auckland did at least get one back before the break – their own veteran striker Emiliano Tade halving the deficit after linking with Daniel Normann inside the penalty box.
Chasing their third consecutive victory of the round in Fiji, Luke Casserly’s men remained on the front foot in the second half, buoyed by the momentum of Tade’s goal.
However, breaking down the Bula FC defence became a tougher challenge as the hosts began to catch a glimpse of a Leaders Group spot on the horizon.
That added defensive approach was evident from the hosts when Stephane Auvray replaced forward Setareki Hughes with former Auckland FC defender Semi Nabenu for the final twenty minutes of the contest.
Casserly brought on Oscar Faulds, Isa Prins, and Reid Drake in response, but time and time again they found the route to goal blocked by Wara in the Bula defence, or Desprez in-between the sticks.
The frustration was evident for Auckland late on when tensions boiled over, resulting in a straight red card for captain Tass Mourdoukoutas following a scuffle off the ball.
The resulting final whistle was greeted with cheers of joy from the Bula players and their home supporters, pulling the curtain down on their home round with a memorable result.
Whilst the hosts can now look ahead to the Leaders Group during Round 6 in May, Auckland FC still have one match to play in Fiji – a rescheduled Round 3 fixture with South Island United in Ba on Tuesday afternoon.
Bula FC: 2 (Sterling VASCONCELLOS 14’, Roy KRISHNA 35’)
Auckland FC: 1 (Emiliano TADE 45+5’)
HT: 2-1 …. PACNEWS
HKG – RUGBY: WORLD RUGBY PACNEWS: Mon 20 Apr 2026
Historic weekend reaches glorious crescendo for the Blitzboks and Black Ferns Sevens
HONG KONG, 20 APRIL 2026 (WORLD RUGBY)—New Zealand and South Africa won the women’s and men’s titles respectively to cap an incredible three days as HSBC SVNS touched down in Hong Kong for the first leg of this year’s three-tournament World Championship series.
There were also podium finishes for France’s women and Spain’s men who won their third-place play-off matches against Canada and New Zealand respectively to claim the bronze medal.
Fifty years on since the sport’s first tournament at its spiritual home, huge crowds saw a feast of action with Saturday’s 41,457 fans setting a new record for Hong Kong Sevens for a single day attendance.
The iconic event, which created a party atmosphere, was hailed as a huge success by World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson.
He said: “Congratulations Hong Kong for 50 glorious years of the iconic Hong Kong Sevens. And what a way to celebrate with rugby’s biggest party weekend.
“For World Rugby and fans around the Hong Kong Sevens holds a special place in our hearts. It put sevens on the map. It has played it role in rugby’s global growth and it has been instrumental in Sevens joining the Olympic Programme.
“It is an event where tradition and innovation goes hand in hand. The new Kai Tak stadium epitomises that. It is a great place for rugby. The fans love it. We love it.”
Defending champions New Zealand edged out fierce rivals Australia 19-14 in the women’s final to once again reaffirm their status as the best side in the world.
An eagerly-awaited clash saw the Black Ferns Sevens secure a fourth straight title in Hong Kong and maintain their recent dominance over Australia.
It was another close-fought affair but New Zealand were worthy victors in a game which saw the brilliant duo of Jorja Miller and Maddison Levi both get on the scoresheet again.
After their sixth title of the season, Player of the Final Risi Pouri-Lane said: “To come here and play in a final at the home of Sevens Rugby – in such an iconic stadium has been an awesome privilege.
“The girls showed grit and heart and it took a whole squad effort.”
South Africa’s men produced a stunning performance to beat defending champions Argentina 35-7 in the final to get a huge monkey off their back.
The Blitzboks showed all their class to win their first-ever Hong Kong title in the first leg of this year’s three-tournament World Championship series, with Valladolid next up on May 29-31 before Bordeaux in early June.
Amid emotional celebrations, mercurial captain Impi Visser said: “I’m just so proud of the boys because we achieved something special today.
“I think we broke the hoodoo at Hong Kong Sevens and can finally call ourselves champions here.”…PACNEWS
CANADA – RUGBY: WORLD RUGBY PACNEWS: Mon 20 Apr 2026
World Rugby joins WADA in supporting Play True Day 2026
MONTREAL, 20 APRIL 2026 (WORLD RUGBY) —From educating participants about their responsibilities and raising awareness of doping risks to a robust testing programme, rugby is dedicated to ensuring integrity across all formats of the game.
Launched in 2005, World Rugby’s Keep Rugby Clean (KRC) initiative has become instrumental in fostering an ethical, clean-sport ethos, with extensive buy-in from unions and players worldwide.
Dedicated Keep Rugby Clean days took place at two high-profile World Rugby tournaments in 2025, with KRC t-shirts promoting the initiative worn by players at both the World Rugby U20 Championship and Rugby World Cup 2025.
Italian U20 international Gianmarco Pietramala is one of many who recognise the importance of the anti-doping programme. “I have learned a lot from playing rugby: values that I have made my own and that I carry with me off the field as well. Committing collectively to keeping this wonderful sport clean is a shared goal that we must uphold at every level,” he said.
It is a message amplified by the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) annual Play True Day, which was introduced in 2014 and is taking place this year on Friday, 17 April.
World Rugby is one of approximately 50 organisations supporting the global movement, which reaches millions of people every year.
Last year, the campaign generated a 49 percent increase in social media engagement compared to 2024, reflecting the growing momentum behind the message of personal accountability to clean sport.
Underlining this, WADA’s ‘Play True: It Starts With You’ 2026 campaign aims to highlight the individual responsibility of athletes, coaches and stakeholders in ensuring sport is played on a level playing field.
WADA President Witold Bańka said: “Once again, I am calling on athletes and the global anti-doping community to join us on Play True Day 2026.
“Propelled by the theme, ‘Play True. It Starts with You,’ we reaffirm a simple but essential commitment that protecting sport begins with each of us. By choosing to Play True, every athlete, every Anti-Doping Organisation, and every other stakeholder contributes to safeguarding the integrity of sport for athletes worldwide.”
Mike Earl, World Rugby’s Director of Anti-Doping, added: “World Rugby is delighted to give its full support to WADA’s Play True Day. Integrity is the foundation of rugby, and we recognise how important it is to provide players and support staff around the world with effective education and awareness programmes, providing the tools, encouragement and support for them to be able to compete clean.
“Through WADA’s work in promoting Play True Day worldwide, and our flagship Keep Rugby Clean awareness campaign, we can ensure that the right messages are being delivered to the right participants at the right times, and that we can all contribute to maintaining a level playing field for our sport.
“We encourage all who believe in clean sport to do whatever they can to show their support for Play True Day and Keep Rugby Clean today and throughout the year.”
In 2025, World Rugby took samples from 2,015 players in men’s and women’s rugby, in 15s and sevens, with 789 collected in competition and a further 1,226 taken out of competition….PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY LEAGUE: NRL PACNEWS: Mon 20 Apr 2026
NRL Casualty Ward: Turbo to miss Origin; Haas, Staggs, Kiraz in doubt
SYDNEY, 20 APRIL 2026 (NRL)—The Broncos and Blues will be sweating on the extent of a knee injury that forced Payne Haas from the field in the first half of Saturday night’s match against Wests Tigers.
The superstar prop clutched at his right knee and was in obvious pain after an awkward tackle by Samoa team-mate Royce Hunt.
Haas came from the field in the 35th minute and was ruled out of the remainder of the match.
Star centre Kotoni Staggs, who played on despite tearing a ligament in his foot, revealed after the game that Haas had told team-mates he suffered an MCL injury.
Haas will undergo scans and could be in doubt for the Origin series opener at Accor Stadium on 27 May.
The Broncos lost fullback Jesse Arthars late in the game with a calf injury.
Bulldogs winger Jacob Kiraz came from the field only moments into the second half of the game against the Eels with a reported knee issue.
He was inconvenienced in the first half, but played on and was hopeful of continuing in the second, but could not play on.
Coach Cameron Ciraldo said he would undergo scans on Monday.
In the same game, Parramatta hooker Ryley Smith was ruled out of the match with a sternum injury, but coach Jason Ryles was hopeful it wouldn’t rule him out for too long.
“It’s a sternum,” Ryles said after the match.
“I think, if you went through the competition there’d be a big list of players who play with a sternum (injury), so I think Ryley will be okay, but he was obviously quite acute today, so, we’ll see how he pulls up.”
The Sea Eagles suffered a major blow in Townsville on Thursday night with skipper Tom Trbojevic succumbing to a hamstring injury that throws his Blues Origin hopes into disarray.
Trbojevic was distraught as he left the field in the 13th minute and headed straight for the sheds to ice his left hamstring. He watched second half from the coach’s box.
He has since undergone scans which have revealed a moderate left sided hamstring injury which will require a 6–8 week period of rehabilitation.
The Dragons were dealt a blow on the eve of Saturday’s clash with the Rabbitohs after hooker Jacob Liddle suffered a hamstring injury in the warm-up.
The dummy-half had been set to start for the first time this year but in his absence Damien Cook qwas promoted to the starting side, with Hame Sele added to the bench.
Liddle missed the opening two weeks of the season with a hamstring injury suffered in the pre-season and he has reinjured the same leg.
The injury came after the Dragons had five players placed in the head knock protocol in reserve grade earlier in the afternoon, including back-up half Lyhkan King-Togia and outside back Nathan Lawson.
Gold Coast fullback Keano Kini left the field late in his side’s loss to the Warriors on Saturday with a rib injury.
Talking post-game, coach Josh Hannay said it’s too early to determine the severity of the injury.
Panthers hooker Mitch Kenny is facing at least eight weeks on the sidelines after suffering a fractured leg and syndesmosis injury in the hip drop tackle that has resulted in Dolphins playmaker Kodi Nikorima copping a two-game ban.
Kenny was taken to hospital in Darwin following the Panthers’ golden point win and will go under the knife in Sydney this week.
Kenny was dragged down by Nikorima in the 18th minute at TIO Stadium and immediately clutched for his leg in pain. He had to use the green whistle in the dressing room before being taken to hospital for X-rays.
In Friday night’s opening game the Raiders suffered a setback early in the second half when veteran prop Josh Papalii hobbled off with a calf injury.
Newcastle’s star playmaker Dylan Brown returned from a knee injury against the Roosters.
Brown hasn’t played since injuring his knee against Manly in Round 2 and will be a welcome addition for the Knights after Tyson Frizell (ribs) and Dylan Lucas (throat) joined Kalyn Ponga (hamstring) and Bradman Best (groin) in the casualty ward.
Back-rower Thomas Cant was a late withdrawal from the match due to a calf injury.
At the Bulldogs, enforcer Leo Thompson is set for his first game of the season having recovered from a calf tear suffered in February.
Thompson’s long-awaited club debut will help compensate for the loss of Max King, who is facing four weeks out with a broken jaw…PACNEWS
