In this bulletin:
1. RUGBY — Ex-All Black Jeff Wilson says NZ Rugby shouldn’t be expected to bail out Moana Pasifika
2. ONOC — ONOC highlights governance reforms and regional priorities at ANOC Executive Council Meeting in Cape Verde
3. RUGBY — Mayanavanua dedicates historic win to late president
4. RUGBY — Hoodoo broken, Vanua healed and hope rises again as the Fijian Drua bring the magic home
5. RUGBY — History beckons for Brumbies as Super Rugby gathers under one roof
6. TENNIS — PNG juniors impress at Pacific championship
7. RUGBY — Discipline costs Fiji quarterfinal
8. RUGBY LEAGUE — FiJI Bulikulas Coach Rabele speaks out
9. RUGBY LEAGUE — Slater inspiring Addo-Carr’s bid for slice of World Cup history
10. RUGBY LEAGUE — Broncos and Blues enforcer Payne Haas Haas, Staggs, Turbo out of Origin
11. FOOTBALL — Why the ‘beautiful game’ is joining the fight for a better world
PAC – RUGBY: STUFF NZ PACNEWS: Tue 21 Apr 2026
Ex-All Black Jeff Wilson says NZ Rugby shouldn’t be expected to bail out Moana Pasifika
AUCKLAND, 21 APRIL 2206 (STUFF NZ)—Former All Blacks Jeff Wilson says it would be unrealistic to expect NZ Rugby to shell out money to keep Moana Pasifika afloat when the New Zealand teams are losing money.
Wilson said that while he sympathised with Moana Pasifika’s situation, it announced last week it would disband from Super Rugby Pacific at the end of the season, he believed NZ Rugby shouldn’t be expected to be the saviour of the beleaguered club.
Speaking on The Breakdown show on Sky Sport, Wilson said it was the players and coaches, first and foremost, that he felt sorry for.
“The organisation itself, I think, lost its vision for what it was supposed to be created for,” Wilson said.
Having noted the creation of Moana Pasifika in 2022 was to build a pathway for Pacific Island players, Wilson said the club needed to find a way to be based on the islands where it could enable talented players to flourish.
The club, he said, focused too much, initially, on winning games instead of finding a home in either Samoa or Tonga.
Wilson went on to say the five clubs in New Zealand had financial issues of their own, and would struggle to turn a profit in 2026.
“It is a tough one, though. Because when you talk about resourcing, all of the New Zealand teams are going to lose money this year,” Wilson said.
Modest crowds continue to be a concern for clubs and hosting playoff games could determine whether the 2026 season is a financial success. The top three teams will host the first round of sudden-death games on the first weekend of June.
As it stands, the Chiefs and Hurricanes, both on 31 points, sit at the top of the competition table. They are followed by the Blues (29), Brumbies (25), Reds (22) and the defending champion Crusaders (21).
NZ Rugby, meanwhile, posted a book loss of $19.5 million (US$11.48 million) for the 2024 financial year. It has yet to release its figures for last year.
“So, to suggest NZ Rugby has to bankroll the entire Moana Pasifika organisation, I don’t think is fair,” Wilson said on The Breakdown.
“There has to be an agreed principle, whether or not it is World Rugby. The issue is that investment has been made for the past five years and it hasn’t worked.
“So, I think it is delivering what they originally decided was why they wanted to be in the competition. I think that is the most important thing for me. If they are going to be saved, it can’t just be one year here, it has to have a real purpose and find a home.”
Wilson said there needed to be a collective effort between World Rugby, Sanzaar and NZ Rugby to help Moana Pasifika.
“I don’t think NZ Rugby, who have their own financial pressures right now – they have lost how many million over the last few years – you can’t expect them to keep dipping into that well.
“And we do invest a lot in the game, and a lot of these players are playing in NPC rugby which NZ Rugby pays for. That’s a significant amount of money every year.”
Unless a new owner can be found for Moana Pasifika, the competition will be reduced to 10 teams.
Another former All Black, Mils Muliaina, was also on The Breakdown panel and said that if NZ Rugby invested in Moana Pasifika there needed to be commitment for the club to be based in either Samoa or Tonga.
He suggested a partnership with the governments in either country.
He used the Drua, who play their home games in Fiji, as an example.
“If you are asking NZ Rugby to stump up more funds for it, it is another New Zealand team,” Muliaina said. “You want to invest a small amount for them to actually go and thrive.’”
Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga, speaking after his side lost to the Waratahs in Sydney last Friday night, reiterated how difficult it was for clubs to thrive in a challenging market.
“It’s a tough, old gig for everyone in Super Rugby,” Umaga said. “If you talk to any club, no one is bristling or financially safe, for lack of a better word,” he said…PACNEWS
PAC – ONOC: ONOC MEDIA PACNEWS: Tue 21 Apr 2026
ONOC highlights governance reforms and regional priorities at ANOC Executive Council Meeting in Cape Verde
CAPE VERDE, 21 APRIL 2026 (ONOC MEDIA)—The Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening governance, enhancing operational effectiveness, and supporting athletes across the region, during an update delivered at the Association of National Olympic Committees Executive Council Meeting in Cape Verde last week.
Presenting on behalf of ONOC, President Baklai Temengil outlined the organisation’s continued progress under the ONOC Reset initiative – an important reform programme designed to ensure ONOC remains fit for purpose and aligned with the principles of the International Olympic Committee and the wider Olympic Movement.
Baklai Temengil, President of the Oceania National Olympic Committees, presenting the ONOC update to the Association of National Olympic Committees Executive Council.
“ONOC continues to make strong progress in improving operational efficiency, accountability, and service delivery to our members and athletes,” said President Temengil.
The update also celebrated the achievements of Oceania athletes at the Milano Cortina Winter Games, including strong performances from the Australia Olympic Team and New Zealand Olympic Team.
President Temengil acknowledged the challenges currently facing the region, noting that several Pacific nations have recently been impacted by severe weather events, including cyclones and typhoons affecting Guam, Saipan, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands.
“These events underscore the ongoing impact of climate change in Oceania. Despite these challenges, sport continues to play a vital role in strengthening communities and delivering positive social impact,” she said.
A key priority for ONOC remains the comprehensive review of its Constitution, aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and governance structures. The proposed reforms will be presented to Members at the ONOC Annual General Assembly in Auckland in May 2026.
The Assembly is expected to bring together regional and international stakeholders, including IOC President Kirsty Coventry, alongside partners from ANOC and the wider Olympic Movement, as well as the Oceania Athletes Forum.
Looking ahead, ONOC continues to focus on athlete development pathways and preparations for major upcoming events, including the 2027 Pacific Games in Tahiti and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
In support of these efforts, ONOC has strengthened international partnerships, including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Fukuoka Prefecture to support talent identification and athlete development initiatives.
ONOC reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with ANOC, the IOC, and regional and government partners to ensure sustainable growth and impact for sport across Oceania…..PACNEWS
PAC – RUGBY: FBC SPORTS PACNEWS: Tue 21 Apr 2026
Mayanavanua dedicates historic win to late president
CANBERRA, 21 APRIL 2026 (FBC SPORTS)—Fijian Drua captain Temo Mayanavanua has dedicated their historic 33–28 win over the ACT Brumbies Saturday night to the late President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.
The Round 10 Super Rugby Pacific victory also marked the Drua’s first away win since 2023.
Mayanavanua said the team spoke about the late president before the match and felt it was only fitting to dedicate the win to him.
He added that securing a victory against the Brumbies in their home city of Canberra, Australia, made the moment even more special.
“We dedicate this performance to our late president, his excellency Ratu Epeli Naletikau and his family. Our prayers and our thoughts goes out to his family at this time.”
Mayanavanua also praised his teammates for their effort, commending them for overcoming one of the competition’s strongest sides….PACNEWS
FIJI – RUGBY: MAI TV PACNEWS: Tue 21 Apr 2026
Hoodoo Broken, Vanua Healed and Hope Rises Again as the Fijian Drua Bring the Magic Home
By Luisa Banuva
SUVA, 21 APRIL 2026 (MAI TV)—As a journalist in a nation as small as ours, I’ll be the first to admit that neutrality is a struggle. We aren’t just covering a team; we are covering our cousins, our neighbors, and our national heartbeat.
For the past few seasons, writing match reports for the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua’s overseas fixtures has been a heavy task. Even when the boys stumbled at home, a quiet would settle over the newsroom or wherever we were watching from, leaving us all staring at our screens as we processed the result. We don’t just report on the Fijian Drua; we live and breathe every tackle when we analyze and critique them.
On many occasions, the media has faced criticism on social media for what some perceive as us ‘defending’ the Fijian Drua, simply because we don’t condemn them as harshly as armchair referees do.
So, when the final whistle blew on Saturday night, I can guarantee there was no objective silence in the newsrooms in Fiji. There were tears and there was shouting. The 33–28 victory over the ACT Brumbies wasn’t just a win; it was a release.
The nature of this win is what stood out. While we are used to the Drua playing a high-risk game, this match saw a matured side that prioritized field position and scoreboard pressure.
Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula was central to this, contributing 13 points, three penalties and two conversions, and managing the game with a composure.
Manasa Mataele provided the necessary spark with two tries, including a 60-meter intercept that showcased a level of defensive reading we haven’t always seen from this squad. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa added a crucial try, while the pack, led by the returning Temo Mayanavanua, put in a huge shift in the tight-loose. Despite a late surge from the Brumbies, the Drua’s set-piece held firm under pressure—a technical milestone for a franchise that has historically struggled with overseas scrums.
It is impossible to view this result without acknowledging the difficult week Fiji has endured. From the solemn burial of former President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau to the unsettling headlines regarding deaths in custody and the ongoing recovery from Category 3 Cyclone Vaianu, the collective spirit of the country has been tested.
When you are part of a newsroom that has spent the week reporting on grief and disaster, a result like this feels personal.
We saw the boys in teal execute a professional, disciplined game plan, breaking the away-game drought in the process. For eighty minutes, the narrative shifted from national struggle to international success.
We take a quick look at how each player did Saturday night.
Emosi Tuqiri: Stepped up, holding his own against a veteran Brumbies front row.
Zuriel Togiatama: Put in a massive shift at hooker, providing the accuracy at the lineout that allowed the Fijian Drua to build a platform.
Samu Tawake: Anchored the right side of the scrum with a physical performance in the tight exchanges.
Isoa Nasilasila: The engine room’s workhorse, hitting rucks and securing vital possession in the air.
Temo Mayanavanua: A triumphant return from a six-week layoff, leading the side with the physical authority we’ve missed.
Etonia Waqa: Showed great work at blindside flanker, disrupting the Brumbies’ at the breakdown.
Kitione Salawa: A standout defensive performance, covering every blade of grass at GIO Stadium.
Isoa Tuwai: Provided a powerful carrying option from the base of the scrum as the starting Number 8.
Issak Fines-Leleiwasa: Targeted the fringes with precision and scored a try too.
Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula: The architect whose goal-kicking and game management were the difference.
Manasa Mataele: The hero of the night, whose two tries and intercept sprint will be replayed for weeks.
Virimi Vakatawa: Brought much-needed experience and power to the inside centre space.
Tuidraki Samusamuvodre: Combined well with Vakatawa, showing great form to keep the defense guessing.
Isikeli Basiyalo: Put in a disciplined shift on the right wing, staying busy in both attack and defense.
Isikeli Rabitu: Extremely impressive at fullback, showing maturity and safety under the high ball.
Kavaia Tagivetaua: Made a successful return from injury off the bench to shore up the front row late in the game.
Penaia Cakobau: Continued his good form from last week, providing impact at loosehead prop.
Mesake Doge: Brought international quality to the bench, stabilizing the scrum during the Brumbies’ final surge.
Mesake Vocevoce: Provided fresh legs and aerial security in the middle row during the closing stages.
Joseva Tamani: Added energy to the backrow battle in the second half.
Simione Kuruvoli: Sharp service and tactical awareness at halfback late in the game.
Kemu Valetini: Stepped in to cover the centres, providing a steady hand as the pressure mounted.
Inia Tabuavou: Provided vital utility cover, ensuring the backline remained until the final whistle.
By securing five points and moving into the top eight, the Fijian Drua have effectively taken down the theory that they can only win at home because last night’s win proves that the technical and physical conditioning is finally where it needs to be to compete across the Pacific.
The boys head to New Zealand next week to face the Chiefs on April 26th at One NZ Stadium in Christchurch at 4:30 PM, before returning to the footballing heartland of the west to host the Highlanders at Ba’s 4R Electrical Stadium on 02 May.
After a well-earned Bye Week, the rivalry resumes on May 16th when the Fijian Drua face the Waratahs at HFC Bank Stadium, a clash where there is famously no love lost between the two sides. The final stretch sees the team head back on the road to hunt for more history, facing the Western Force at HBF Park in Perth on May 23rd, before a Round 16 showdown against the Reds at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
For those of us who have sat through the years of overseas tours, Saturday night was a reminder of why we stay so invested in the team whether they win or lose.
The Fijian Drua haven’t just figured out how to play away from home; they’ve learned how to win, and in style.
As my boss, Stanley Simpson, who was at the game Saturday night, put it: “Boy, those final three minutes had my heart all over the place. It was a good win, pure joy to watch.” …. PACNEWS
PAC – RUGBY: AAP PACNEWS: Tue 21 Apr 2026
History beckons for Brumbies as Super Rugby gathers under one roof
SYDNEY, 21 APRIL 2026 (AAP)—An historic sweep of all five New Zealand teams beckons for the ACT Brumbies as Super Round looms as the “shot in the arm” the code needs on both sides of the Tasman.
But an uncharacteristic loss at home to the Fijian Drua has muted Stephen Larkham’s men ahead of the trip across the Tasman ahead of the five-game, three-day Anzac showpiece to open Christchurch’s One NZ Stadium.
Victory over the top-of-table Hurricanes on Saturday would see the Brumbies (5-4) become the first Australian Super Rugby outfit to beat all five New Zealand sides in the regular season.
But a shock loss to the Drua in Canberra on Saturday, as well as earlier this season in Fiji, plus home losses to the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds have left them vulnerable.
“It’s an important week, an important game … to set up our season,” Brumbies winger Corey Toole said.
“It (a Kiwi sweep) would be quite special; no one’s ever done it.
“I see it in the media a little bit, but now we’ve got to focus on ourselves, get our own backyard sorted, before we look at beating all the New Zealand teams.”.
The Crusaders will be out to avoid an unwanted record when the defending champions kick off action at their new stadium on Friday against the Waratahs.
An upset loss to the Western Force on Saturday has left them 0-3 against Australian sides this season and just two points ahead of the seventh-placed Waratahs, who have a game in hand.
Waratahs and Wallabies star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is a potential returnee from his lengthy hamstring injury layoff.
The Queensland Reds, who had a bye last week, will play the Blues on Saturday, their first meeting since Vern Cotter was announced as Les Kiss’s replacement for next season.
Blues lock and All Blacks star Patrick Tuipulotu lit the fuse in the preseason, admitting his shock at Cotter’s rare trans-Tasman coaching move and the fierce rivalry of the two sides.
“We’re all good mates, but on the field we just hate each other. That’s what it feels like” he said.
On Sunday, Moana Pasifika, seeking fresh investment to stay afloat beyond this season, face the Highlanders while the in-form Drua complete proceedings against the second-placed Chiefs.
The code’s Super Round has been rebirthed, after a year off, following three lacklustre editions in Melbourne.
And there is a genuine buzz, with the 30,000-seat roofed stadium expected to be sold out all weekend in another symbol of the city’s long rebuild since the deadly 2011 earthquake.
“It’s probably what the competition needs, to be honest, is Super Round,” Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said.
“I’m hearing it’s an unbelievable stadium … it’s the sort of shot in the arm that the comp needs.”
He said Suaalii was “close” after training well last week.
“We need to be patient and make sure he’s ready, because the last thing we want to do is expose him before he’s not right and than all of a sudden we’re seeing another couple of months (on the sidelines),” he said.
SUPER ROUND HIGHLIGHTS
* FRIDAY – Crusaders v Waratahs – sixth v seventh – Crusaders looking to avoid losses to all four Australian teams.
* SATURDAY – Hurricanes v Brumbies – first v fourth – Brumbies eyeing historic sweep of Kiwi opponents.
* SATURDAY – Blues v Reds – third v fifth – Reds to face Vern Cotter for first time since Blues coach announced as man to replace Les Kiss at Ballymore….PACNEWS
PAC – TENNIS: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS: Tue 21 Apr 2026
PNG juniors impress at Pacific championship
LAUTOKA, 21 APRIL 2026 (THE NATIONAL)—Papua New Guinea’s rising tennis stars, sponsored by Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL), made waves at the Pacific Oceania Junior Championship (POJC) that concluded on Saturday in Lautoka, Fiji.
As the tournament reached its thrilling final stages, the PNG squad proved to be a dominant force in the region, with two players competing for dual championships and another battling for a top-five finish.
Leading the charge were 16-and-under sensations Erik Michon and Colita Hakena, both securing places in the finals of both singles and doubles events.
Michon cruised through his bracket to set up a singles final against Tahiti’s Tao Hirlemann, while Hakena mirrored that success in the girls’ division, facing New Caledonia’s Heata-Nui Ista-Toofa.
On the doubles courts, Michon partnered with New Caledonia’s Mathew Leherle to challenge the Tahitian-Samoan duo of Hirlemann and Seuiama Arthur Pen for the boys’ crown.
Hakena teamed up with Caroline Andrew of Vanuatu, battling American Samoans Alexandria Lauiula Amao and Joelei Ioane for the girls’ doubles title.
Meanwhile, in the 14-and-under division, River-Jordan Hakena delivered one of the tournament’s most exciting performances.
After advancing to the quarter-finals, he narrowly missed the semis in a tight 6-7, 0-6 loss to Vanuatu’s Jayden Tyler Lister.
River-Jordan later faced his archrival, Vanuatu powerhouse Ylan Jacobe.
In a spectacular display of resilience, he rallied from a set down to defeat Jacobe for the first time in a nail-biting 6-7, 6-1, 10-8 victory. He went on to challenge Tahiti’s Ryan Chansin for fifth position, capping off a memorable campaign for PNG’s junior squad. …PACNEWS
HKG – RUGBY: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS: Tue 21 Apr 2026
Discipline costs Fiji quarterfinal
HONG KONG,21 APRIL 2026 (FIJI TIMES) —Osea Kolinisau was a disappointed man when the Fiji Airways Fiji men’s 7s side was defeated 17-24 by Argentina in the men’s cup quarter-final of the Hong Kong 7s.
And his band of players heard much of what he lamented when they gathered in the tunnel beneath
the South Stand of Kai Tak Stadium.
The team began the match strongly, however the Los Pumas sought to capitalise on Filipe Sauturaga’s yellow card exit and scored tries.
In the second half, it was Akuila Dranivotua who copped a red card after a TMO review found his high contest for the ball and contact with a Pumas player being lifted found him liable for it.
Kolinisau simply told his players nothing else but a lack of discipline costed the crucial match.
And to Times Sport, he explained further on what he meant. “First of all; disappointed.
We weren’t disciplined; we had a red card and a yellow card,” Kolinisau said.
“Yellow card in the first half and a red card. We kicked off, we won the kick-off. First two opportunities we should have scored from that.”
Argentina dealt a heavy hand to Fiji, stretching the six-men brigade thin as they passed the ball for the
full width of the field and exhausted Fiji in the process.
The onus to create a monumental victory with what they had on the field was high on Kolinisau’s mind.
“I said this was a game of opportunity, we didn’t take the opportunity (and) Argentina scored.”
“You cannot play a sixman game but I’m proud of the effort the boys put in when we were down to six.
“The fighting spirit they showed and to me it’s just discipline that cost us that red card and yellow card,” he said…PACNEWS
FIJI – RUGBY LEAGUE: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS: Tue 21 Apr 2026
FiJI Bulikulas Coach Rabele speaks out
SUVA, 21 APRIL 2026 (FIJI TIMES)—Fiji Bulikulas head coach Joe Rabele has called on Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL) board members to resolve their internal differences privately, stating that public disputes are damaging the organisation’s credibility.
This follows the ongoing dispute within the organisation between the chairman Rajesh Singh and few of the FNRL staff members.
Rabele expressed concern over ongoing conflicts within the governing body, saying the situation was unprecedented in his years of service to the sport.
“As a pioneer for rugby league in Fiji and after many years of involvement, this is the first time I have come across such conflict involving executives and staff within the organisation,” he said.
He believes the public airing of issues, particularly on social media, has only intensified criticism and hindered progress.
“When the FNRL board, the head of the organisation remains in an unresolved situation, it holds everyone back from moving forward,” Rabele said.
With the Rugby League World Cup just five months away, he raised concern over the lack of local competitions to identify and prepare players.
“This ongoing conflict is stopping us from progressing. There are no local competitions organised for player selection, yet the World Cup is months away. The board needs to resolve this matter urgently so we can prepare properly,” he said.
Rabele added that the absence of domestic competition could impact team selection, particularly for the Bulikula side.
“If there are no local players selected for the Bulikula team, then the board should not question that outcome. They need to address their issues first so we can establish proper competitions,” he said.
He is also urging local rugby league clubs to step in and call for a Special General Meeting (SGM), saying it is necessary for restoring proper governance within the organisation.
Rabele stressed that unity and decisive leadership were crucial to ensuring Fiji rugby league remains competitive on the international stage….PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY LEAGUE: NRL PACNEWS: Tue 21 Apr 2026
Slater inspiring Addo-Carr’s bid for slice of World Cup history
SYDNEY, 21 APRIL 2026 (NRL)—Kangaroos winger Josh Addo-Carr has set his sights on eclipsing former mentor Billy Slater’s World Cup try-scoring record as the road to this year’s tournament reaches another milestone.
It is now less than six months to go before Australia and New Zealand kick off the showcase event at Allianz Stadium on Thursday October 15.
Records are set to be shattered on and off the field throughout the tournament, with Addo-Carr chasing his own slice of history.
Slater is the current all-time World Cup leading try-scorer with 16 across three campaigns.
Addo-Carr scored 12 during the 2022 tournament and requires another five to surpass his former Melbourne Storm teammate.
“Slats is an idol of mine,” Addo-Carr told NRL.com.
“He was a massive teacher when I was down in Melbourne. If I get to sit with him, that’d be pretty special.
“He’s the best fullback to ever play the game so my name sitting next to him would be a privilege.”
After making his NRL debut for the Tigers in 2016, Addo-Carr moved south to join the Storm the following year.
This was where the 22-year-old crossed paths with Slater, forming a bond that remains strong to this day.
The pair won a premiership together in 2017 and Slater showed the youngster what it takes to make it in the NRL.
From there, Addo-Carr has developed into a regular for his club, state and country and one of the best finishers in the game.
Given their history, Slater said it would be an honour to watch his former protege surpass him on the try-scoring tally.
“He’s a great player and we all admire what he can do scoring tries, but one thing that impresses me with Josh is his ability to stop tries with his understanding of the game and his speed,” Slater said.
“Records are there to be broken. It’s probably not the only record of mine he’ll break, he might surpass me in tries scored in the NRL. That wouldn’t surprise me because he’s such a good finisher and I know what he’s capable of.
“What saw what he did in that game against the Bulldogs. That first try, not many people can score that try and he’s certainly one of them.”
Australia’s match against the Kiwis will be followed by games against Fiji and Cook Islands in Brisbane and Townsville.
New Zealand will return home to face the Aitu in a historic rugby league international match at the new One NZ Stadium in Christchurch before closing out the group stage against the Bati.
The Kangaroos are the defending champions, having won the past three World Cups but the international rugby league landscape has changed drastically throughout the past decade.
Samoa and Tonga have risen to sit alongside Australia, New Zealand and England, while Fiji, Papua New Guinea are close behind.
Cook Islands and Lebanon have also taken their performances to another level and it will not be a shock if they topple their more fancied rivals at this year’s tournament.
The Kangaroos edged the Kiwis in the semi-final at the 2022 World Cup before defeating Samoa in the final.
Having played a key role in Australia’s triumph four years ago, Addo-Carr knows the side must be at their best if they are to lift the trophy at Suncorp Stadium on November 15.
“It’s been awesome what Andrew Abdo and Peter V’landys are trying to do for the game,” Addo-Carr said. “These Pasifika boys going back to their heritage countries has been great for the game.
“You see the Samoan and Tongan fans packing out their stadiums and being proud of their people and their countries. That’s what it’s all about and we need our fans to come out, support us, and shout loud and proud.”
The Kiwis enter this year’s World Cup full of momentum after a dominant Pacific Championships campaign.
The success was built on the back of a dominant pack led by James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota, while Dylan Brown starred with multiple man of the match performances.
While the Kangaroos are the pre-tournament favourites, New Zealand forward Scott Sorensen said his side thrives on shocking their trans-Tasman rivals.
“Being given the opportunity to play in the squad is something I’d be grateful for and would be very exciting,” Sorensen said. “To be able to play Australia straight up in the first round is an incredible opportunity.
“Everyone in the Kiwi space is excited for what’s ahead.”
Tickets for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup are now on sale…. PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY LEAGUE: NRL PACNEWS: Tue 21 Apr 2026
Broncos and Blues enforcer Payne Haas Haas, Staggs, Turbo out of Origin
SYDNEY, 21 APRIL 2026 (NRL)—Broncos and Blues enforcer Payne Haas is facing 6-8 weeks on the sideline after scans confirmed he suffered a Grade 3 MCL injury in Saturday night’s win over Wests Tigers.
The injury will keep Haas out of the Origin opener to be played at Accor Stadium on May 27 and would have him racing for the clock for Game Two on 17 June.
The Broncos have also confirmed that star centre and NSW Blues aspirant Kotoni Staggs has a plantar fascia strain and outside back Jesse Arthars has sustained a tear to his interosseous membrane.
Both Staggs and Arthars are working with the club’s medical staff to determine their return to play timelines.
In a further blow for the premiers, prop Corey Jensen was also sent for scans which has revealed a pulmonary embolism. Jensen remains in hospital and is expected to miss several weeks.
The Blues blows to Haas and Staggs came after Sea Eagles fullback Tom Trbojevic succumbed to a hamstring injury that throws his Origin hopes into disarray.
Trbojevic was distraught as he left the field in the 13th minute in Townsville and he watched the 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.
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.
Meanwhile, 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 OK, but he was obviously quite acute today, so, we’ll see how he pulls up.”
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.
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….PACNEWS
UN – FOOTBALL: UN NEWS CENTRE PACNEWS: Tue 21 Apr 2026
Why the ‘beautiful game’ is joining the fight for a better world
NEW YORK, 21 APRIL 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE)—The sporting icon wasn’t there to talk tactics, but to lead his lifelong club, Flamengo, into a global pact to tackle some of the planet’s biggest challenges.
Through an initiative called Football for the Goals, the UN is tapping into the sport’s massive cultural influence to promote human rights, environmental sustainability, and social equality.
A legendary partnership
Zico, a veteran of three World Cups and a hero to millions of fans worldwide, was named the first Brazilian Champion for the programme.
His role is simple but ambitious: use his status to inspire fans to think about the world beyond the pitch.
Zico told our UN News Portuguese team in an interview on Monday, that to be at the UN for the initiative was “a moment of great honor and much satisfaction that represents all my dedication, my career, and the way I conduct the profession I chose.”
He added that it was important to him to be representing the sport and the players on the pitch: “It is not a personal tribute, but rather a tribute to football itself, and what it represents.”
While the UN often deals with complex policy and strategy, this partnership is about making global goals feel local.
By bringing a club with the massive reach of Flamengo on board, the UN hopes to turn match-day passion into real-world action.
Generation Amazing has partnered with the United Nations since 2020 and is part of the UN initiative known as “Football for the Sustainable Development Goals.”
More than just a game
For those who don’t scour the league tables, the scale of this collaboration is significant. Flamengo isn’t just a sports team; it is a cultural institution with tens of millions of supporters.
“Flamengo’s decision to join Football for the Goals underscores the power of football in South America, especially in Brazil, to drive social progress and inspire collective action,” noted Melissa Fleming, the UN’s head of global communications.
“By bringing one of the world’s most influential clubs into this global initiative, we are strengthening a movement that connects the passion of the game with the urgent need to advance the Sustainable Development Goals and build a more just, inclusive and sustainable world for all.”
A goal for 2030
The goals in question aren’t the ones found at the back of a net. They refer to the Sustainable Development Goals – the ambitious 17-point plan agreed upon by world leaders to end poverty and protect the environment by 2030.
By joining the movement, Flamengo has pledged to:
*Go green: Implement more sustainable practices in how the club is run.
*Speak up: Use its massive social media presence to advocate for equality and human rights.
*Lead by example: Show fans and athletes alike how small changes in daily life can contribute to a healthier planet.
Why football?
The UN recognises that football – or soccer as the U.S would have it – is the most global and accessible sport in the world. From dusty community pitches to gleaming international stadiums, it speaks a language everyone understands.
With icons like Zico leading the charge, the hope is that the same energy fans use to cheer on their team can be harnessed to protect the world they live in….PACNEWS
