In this bulletin:
1. SPORTS DEVELOPMENT — Australia commits FJD$35m to boost sports development in Fiji
2. RUGBY — Next assignment for Flying Fijians
3. RUGBY LEAGUE — Free-falling Tigers reveal Koroisau’s injury fate
4. RUGBY LEAGUE — London, Hunters and Chiefs, Prudent measures leave no room for weakness
5. RUGBY LEAGUE — Chiefs logo taking shape, says CEO
6. RUGBY LEAGUE — Injury woes continue for PNG Hunters as coach unmoved
7. AMERICA FOOTBALL — From rugby roots to an Ironblacks leader: Siono on growing American football in Aotearoa
8. FOOTBALL/CLIMATE CHANGE — Climate change takes home-field advantage
9. FOOTBALL — PNGFA strengthens commercial and communications capacity through OFC seminar
10. RUGBY — Wallabies looking to turn Irish pain into French gain in Brisbane
FIJI – SPORTS DEVELOPMENT: FIJI VILLAGE/FBC SPORTS PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 07 Jul 2026
Australia commits FJD$35m to boost sports development in Fiji
SUVA, 07 JULY 2026 (FIJI VILLAGE/FBC SPORTS)—Australia has committed FJD$35 million(US$17.5 million) towards sports development in Fiji, including support for rugby union, under the newly signed Vuvale Union Treaty, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying the investment recognises the unifying power of sport between the two nations.
In his remarks, Albanese said in recognition of the love of sports between the two countries they are investing to support the continuous operations of the Fijian Drua franchise.
“We chose to fortify our bonds in the interests upholding democracy, stability and sovereignty and ofcourse as its tradition we chose to celebrate the fact that we are two nations and two people that love our sports our partnership and our obsession with all things rugby spans decades and I am delighted to announce at this reunion and under Vuvale Australia will increase our investment in the formidable Fijian Drua.”
Since their inception, Fijian Drua were given $1.5 million(US$750,000) annually by World Rugby which ended last Tuesday and to maintain operations within the drua, the government announced support in the last budget for the franchise through the Ministry of Finance, including benefits for businesses that would sign sponsorship with the Drua.
The announcement comes at a timely moment for Fijian rugby, with the Fijian Drua Women preparing to host a home semi-final after finishing top of the regular season standings in the Super Rugby Women’s competition.
The Australian funding is expected to further support the growth of rugby and other sporting programmes in Fiji, complementing the country’s continued success on the regional and international stage. …PACNEWS
UK – RUGBY: FBC SPORTS PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 07 Jul 2026
Next assignment for Flying Fijians
LONDON/SUVA, 07 JULY 2026 (FBC SPORTS) —Flying Fijians coach Senirusi Seruvakula encouraged the players to play Fiji’s way but to be smart about it.
He believes our side was unsettled at times, and it was disappointing.
Seruvakula said they played their brand of rugby against Wales, but sometimes forced some passes, especially in their red zone.
Giving away penalties and committing basic mistakes are something they want to avoid against England this weekend.
Fiji conceded 13 penalties, which really hurt them.
Seruvakula said they started well, but just gave away some silly mistakes and penalties.
He said they were hoping to build the momentum after Pita Gus Sowakula scored inside the first three minutes.
Captain Tevita Ikanivere believes they just need to be patient with the ball.
“I think we need to find the balance when we get into our score zone, when the game slows down, we need to be patient and grind it down.”
Meanwhile, Fiji rugby great Waisale Serevi has backed the inclusion of Luke Tagi and Virimi Vakatawa in the Flying Fijians squad as direct replacements for Semi Radradra and Tim Hoyt, who were ruled out through injury following the opening Nations Championship Test against Wales over the weekend.
Serevi believes the addition of tighthead prop Luke Tagi will bring much-needed stability to Fiji’s scrum as they prepare for a physical battle against England’s forward pack this weekend.
“I thought to take in Luke Tagi for the tight head prop. I think that was another problem with the scrums, and I believe it’ll fix the scrum a little bit during the Test against England. We know England will be very strong in the forwards, but Lukatangi coming in, if he is given the opportunity to play, the scrum will be good.”
The Fijian legend also threw his support behind Virimi Vakatawa, saying the experienced back deserves his recall and can make an immediate impact in the absence of Radradra.
“Veremi Vakatawa, I believe he deserves to be in the team. I met him the other day and I told him, ‘it’s a long six Tests, maybe someone gets injured, keep training. Even Mesake Doge I told him keep training. It’s a long tour—someone might get injured, next minute they’re flying. Even Rambitutu, I met them and I said keep training. When they call you, you are ready to go.”
Serevi said Vakatawa’s recent form, including his performance against the Barbarians, shows he is ready to step straight back into Test rugby.
“And now I’m so thankful that Veremi Vakatawa has made it into this team. I believe he played really, really well against the Barbarians. That’s another threat in the Fijian backline. If he has the opportunity to play this Saturday against England, we have that position covered. Losing Semi Radradra was a big shoes to fill. But Veremi Vakatawa, with experience of playing Test rugby, he knows what to do. I believe it’s a good replacement coming in.”
Fiji now turn their attention to England, with Serevi stressing that squad depth and readiness will be key as the campaign intensifies.
The national side will take on England at 1:10am on Sunday in their second Nations Championship match…..PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY LEAGUE: AAP PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 07 Jul 2026
Free-falling Tigers reveal Koroisau’s injury fate
SYDNEY, 07 JULY 2026 (AAP)—Wests Tigers’ hopes of having Api Koroisau on deck for their push towards the NRL finals have received a major boost, with the hooker set to avoid pectoral surgery.
The Tigers feared Koroisau’s season would be over after he was taken off in Saturday’s shock loss to wooden-spoon favourites St George Illawarra.
Koroisau was sent for scans on Sunday knowing that he would be ruled out the rest of the season and Fiji’s Rugby League World Cup campaign if he required surgery.
But the results showed Koroisau had only suffered a pectoral strain rather than a tear, giving the 33-year-old No.9 hope of returning to NRL action this season.
The Tigers indicated Koroisau would be sidelined for the next month.
“Api Koroisau will be out for four weeks with a pectoral muscle strain,” the club said in a statement.
“Scans taken on Sunday have revealed a low-grade strain of the muscle tendon junction following Saturday night’s game against the Dragons.”
The chance of Koroisau returning before the season’s end is a major result for Benji Marshall as he attempts to end the Tigers’ 15-year finals drought.
The Tigers (7-9) sit 12th following their 24-10 defeat at the hands of the Dragons and have won just one of their past five games.
Marshall indicated after the Dragons loss that five-eighth Jarome Luai (concussion) would return for Friday’s meeting with the Warriors at Campbelltown.
Back-rower Samuela Fainu is rated a chance to make his comeback from a foot injury against the Kiwi outfit….PACNEWS
PNG – RUGBY LEAGUE: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 07 Jul 2026
London, Hunters and Chiefs, Prudent measures leave no room for weakness
PORT MORESBY, 07 JULY 2026 (THE NATIONAL)—The possibility of Papua New Guinea internationals at the London Broncos returning home to link up with the PNG Hunters ahead of the PNG Chiefs’ NRL entry is being carefully planned.
Chiefs general manager football Michael Chammas said in Port Moresby last week that club officials are taking prudent measures so they do not weaken the country’s premier rugby league pathway.
While admitting to plenty of discussions around the London players returning home, especially with the club competing in the English second-tier Betfred Championship competition, Chammas stressed that any move must be part of a long-term strategy that benefits both the Chiefs and the Hunters.
“There is a lot of strategy involved in moving players,” he said. “We also have to be careful that we don’t damage the Hunters. We still have work to do in our player pathways so that when players move, even if it is a large group, we don’t leave the Hunters in a difficult position.”
The comments come after many fans questioned whether PNG players currently with the London Broncos should return to the Hunters if they want to earn selection with the Chiefs from 2028.
Also acknowledging the difficult season the Hunters are going through right now, Chammas said the challenges be viewed in the context of a much bigger plan for PNG rugby league.
He explained that sending players to England was never just about helping the Broncos.
It was part of a long-term development programme aimed at preparing local players for the demands of the NRL.
“The strategy was always about making sure our boys have the best chance of reaching the NRL in the long-term,” he said.
“I have to take my hat off to the Hunters management and the PNG Rugby Football League for allowing all of that to happen to develop our own boys.”
With preparations currently ongoing ahead of the Chiefs’ historic debut, Chammas said building strong player pathways remains a priority, ensuring the Hunters, overseas development programmes and the future NRL club all work together to produce more elite local rugby league players….PACNEWS
PNG – RUGBY LEAGUE: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 07 Jul 2026
Chiefs logo taking shape, says CEO
PORT MORESBY, 07 JULY 2026 (THE NATONAL)—An announcement on the long-awaited PNG Chiefs official logo is almost over, with chief executive officer Lorna McPherson last week promising supporters that a unique design is being crafted by Papua New Guineans to reflect the nation’s pride and identity.
“We have been working with Papua New Guineans to develop the logo, and we do have something that we’re nearly ready with,” McPherson said.
“I think it’ll be a few months before we reveal it but, believe me, when we do, it’ll be very special.”
McPherson said the club’s marketing team has played a key role in developing the new brand alongside Papua New Guinean designers.
She said the project has involved months of planning and discussion to ensure the logo truly represents the country’s newest NRL franchise.
McPherson acknowledged that designing the club’s logo was never going to be easy, especially in a country where rugby league supporters are passionate and everyone has their own opinion.
“The thing about a logo is everybody has an opinion, especially in PNG,” she said.
“We all know that everybody becomes a graphic designer and a logo specialist. We saw that when the club’s name was announced, and I accept that.”
Despite the different views, McPherson said the club remained committed to ensuring the logo was designed by Papua New Guineans for Papua New Guineans.
“What I can tell you is the design has been created by Papua New Guineans,” she said.
“There has been a lot of debate, but we’re very proud of the work that has been done.
“I am sure Papua New Guineans will be very proud of it,” he said…PACNEWS
PNG – RUGBY LEAGUE: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 07 Jul 2026
Injury woes continue for PNG Hunters as coach unmoved
PORT MORESBY, 07 JULY 2026 (THE NATIONAL) —An ongoing injury crisis has forced the PNG Hunters to rely on one of the youngest squads in recent years, but head coach Paul Aiton believes the difficult period will help shape the club’s future.
The Hunters continue to battle a growing casualty list, with another four players ruled out through injury last week alone.
The latest setback is rising young halfback Joel Gena, who suffered a concussion during training and will serve the Queensland Rugby League’s mandatory 11-day head injury assessment (HIA) stand-down period.
Experienced forwards Seal Kalo, Sylvester Namo and Whallan Tau-Loi also remain unavailable as they continue recovering from injuries.
The injury list has now grown to 11 players, including Koso Bandi, Josh Mire, Myles Banam, Samuel Wak, Chris Culligan, Carlos Lung and Norman Akunai.
Akunai’s shoulder injury has ended his season.
Despite the growing list of unavailable players, Aiton said the situation has created opportunities for young talent to step up.
“It gives other young boys a chance to wear the Hunters jersey,” he said.
Several players have already made their Hostplus Cup debuts this season, with the latest being young gun Felix Beki on Sunday against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in Brisbane.
The constant injuries have forced the coaching staff to make changes almost every week, making it difficult to build combinations and consistency.
Aiton highlighted the team’s lack of experience by revealing that the entire left-edge combination had played fewer than 30 Hostplus Cup games combined.
The Hunters coach believes the experience gained this season will strengthen the club in the years ahead.
He said the young players are learning valuable lessons at Hostplus Cup level and are building the depth needed for the future of the Hunters.
There was also some good news for the club, with PNG Kumuls representatives Elijah Roltinga and Benji Kot returning to the squad after extended periods on the sidelines….PACNEWS
PAC – AMERICA FOOTBALL: PMN PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 07 Jul 2026
From rugby roots to an Ironblacks leader: Siono on growing American football in Aotearoa
AUCKLAND, 07 JULY 2026 (PMN)—American football may still be finding its place in Aotearoa New Zealand but for Harry Siono, it is already changing lives.
The former New Zealand representative and current head coach of the Ironblacks says the sport is growing quickly especially among young Pacific athletes looking for new pathways in elite sport.
Siono, who has represented Aotearoa internationally and now leads the national programme, says the focus is not only on winning but building opportunity.
“We’re hoping to build a relationship, you know, with Australia and hopefully put our talents out there and that way we can attract other countries to sort of play us,” he said.
At present, he says Australia and New Zealand remain the main international opponents. But that could change as the sport develops.
Siono grew up playing rugby before switching codes and says American football offered something different – structure, physicality and space for bigger athletes.
Ironblacks head coach Harry Siono says American football is creating new pathways for young Pacific athletes in Aotearoa.
“I chose football purely, it’s a very physical sport. And if you’re a Pacific Islander, physical sports is kind of part of our DNA,” he told Tuilagi.
“You’re out there searching for whatever that can make you tick really physically.”
He said the sport fills a gap for players who may not fit traditional rugby or league pathways.
“We just offer another avenue for kids to play professional sport.”
Siono’s playing career included two international appearances for New Zealand, in 2005 and 2016. These experiences, he says, remain deeply meaningful.
“The pride of wearing the jersey, representing New Zealand on its own, that’s huge,” he said. “It means everything to my family.”
Now in coaching, Siono is focused on shaping culture and creating clear development pathways through the Ironblacks system.
“That’s a huge part of what we do,” he said of team culture. “If you don’t have that culture behind you off the field as well, you struggle to pinpoint what you’re doing on the field.”
His vision includes stronger coaching systems, overseas opportunities and education pathways for young players.
“Getting our kids overseas is one,” he said. “Making sure that there’s pathways for our under-16s, under-18s to gain those college scholarships.”
He says flag football is helping grow participation with the backing of the NFL and school programmes introducing the game to new players.
“The easiest way to sort of learn is playing flag football,” he said. “That’s kind of growing rapidly over here now.”
The Ironblacks will take on Australia’s Outback team in Auckland this coming weekend with Siono saying preparation has been intense across several training camps.
“We’ve been training hard over the last couple of months,” he said. “We’re hoping to put on a good show for everyone to come out and watch.”
Beyond the game, he says the sport still faces challenges, particularly funding, with many players self-funding their involvement.
“It’s a very, it’s a minority sport here. So it’s a user pay sport,” he said.
The New Zealand American Football Federation (NZAFF) says that reality is shaping the current generation of players, many of whom are self-funded as they work to represent Aotearoa on the international stage.
“This sport is self-funded, and the journey to international football isn’t easy,” NZAFF said in a statement.
“Each athlete has worked tirelessly not only to make the team but also to raise the funds needed to represent their country with pride.
“Their commitment, sacrifice, and drive are a true testament to the passion behind American football in Aotearoa.”
Shernice Henry of NZAFF says the current programme is laying the groundwork for future generations of players.
Watch Harry Siono’s full interview with Tuilagi William Leolahi below.
“This is the first of many. It’s an exciting time,” Henry said. “These young men are laying the foundation for future international campaigns and showing what’s possible when our community comes together.”
For Siono, the Ironblacks’ journey is about more than one match against Australia.
“Super proud of the achievement,” he said. “There’s plenty still to come.”
The New Zealand Ironbacks vs Australia game will take place on Saturday 11 July at the Trusts Stadium in Auckland. Kickoff is at 3pm (NZ time)……PACNEWS
USA – FOOTBALL/CLIMATE CHANGE: INSIDE THE GAMES PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 07 Jul 2026
Climate change takes home-field advantage
PHILADELHIA, 07 JULY 2026 (INSIDE THE GAMES)—Another sweltering summer has sports organisers and unions scrambling for solutions to protect players’ and fans’ health and welfare, with rising temperatures affecting events, preparation and how supporters can cheer on their teams.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Paraguay versus France match made headlines last week with temperatures registering 37.8°C at kick-off and the heat index climbing as high as 40.6°C during the match. Despite the Extreme Heat Warning issued for the area, the match went on outdoors, making it one of the hottest fixtures ever played.
Later, UK news outlet The Guardian revealed their analysis of conditions at the World Cup’s 72-game group stage and found an estimated nine matches were played in conditions of severe heat. While players were provided mandatory hydration breaks and ice packs around their necks to combat the weather conditions, the players’ union say that it isn’t enough.
Citing similar instances in last year’s FIFA Club World Cup, FIFPro, noted that matches should be suspended or postponed due to the extreme heat as those fixtures exceeded the threshold of 28°C on the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature gauge: a measure of heat stress in direct sunlight, accounting for air temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle and cloud cover. On the other hand, FIFA’s policy only triggers postponement or cancellation when temperatures reach the wet-bulb globe temperature of 32°C.
It’s not only the players that FIFA needs to worry about. Football supporters have suffered too, with over 100 reportedly needing treatment at Houston’s fan zone, and four were hospitalised on opening day.
“The lesson for everyone in the industry is that with a warming planet, heat conditions will play a bigger part in tournament and league scheduling decisions in the future,” a spokesperson from the FIFPro union said in a comment when asked about the Guardian analysis findings.
Climate change has also affected this year’s Tour de France. While cycling’s most famous race has long been plagued by rising temperatures, this year, a regional wildfire in Spain has resulted in officials keeping the fans away for their own safety. The tour’s opening weekend was already severely tested, with temperatures ranging from 30 to 40 degrees Celsius at the Barcelona stage.
“In exceptional circumstances, and in consultation with the organiser and all relevant parties, you may decide to cancel a stage if health or operational conditions no longer allow for the simultaneous safeguarding of spectators and staff, and the continued provision of emergency services to the public,” a French Interior Ministry document seen by Reuters read.
Some sports have moved to rethink their schedules to combat the heat and advocate for better conditions for their athletes. The 2025 edition of the World Athletics Championships, usually held in August, was moved to September to avoid the worst of Tokyo’s heat.
Drawing on experience at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where several runners finished in distress and the marathon event had to be moved to Sapporo for a cooler climate, track & field’s governing body has since funded several studies on heat acclimatisation and preparation and established protocols and recommendations to protect athlete health.
As expected, snow sports have been one of the most affected by a warming world, and some of the biggest names have been advocating for major changes to be made to combat the loss of their sporting stage. Over 200 snow athletes wrote to the International Ski and Snowboard Federation during the 2023 World Cup season, saying they are “aware of the current sustainability efforts of FIS and rate them as insufficient” and called for ‘progressive organisational action’ as well as a ‘geographically reasonable’ race schedule to reduce carbon emissions, citing how the men’s circuit will have traveled from Europe to North America and back twice that season.
The Norwegian Alpine Ski Team and its sponsor, KPMG, backed the motion, challenging FIS on its race schedule and created the report ‘CHANGE THE COURSE (for a Better World Cup)’, an analysis focused primarily on travel emissions, underscoring that implementing the suggestions and restructuring the ski competition calendar, national teams and World Cup athletes can reduce emissions.
Concern over the state of winter sports has reached sports’ most elite stage, with the International Olympic Committee reconsidering rescheduling the Games to January instead of February to adjust to shrinking snow cover windows. The Paralympics could also be moved earlier as a result. The governing body also funded a study identifying the dwindling number of potential future host locations for the Winter Games and the challenges of staging the event in a warming world.
The analysis studied 93 past and potential hosts for the Winter Olympics and Paralympics to determine whether they would have the ideal conditions to deliver the Games and found that only 52 of these locations would be suitable for the Games by the 2050s….PACNEWS
PAC – FOOTBALL: OFC PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 07 Jul 2026
PNGFA strengthens commercial and communications capacity through OFC seminar
PORT MORESBY, 07 JULY 2026 (OFC)—Effective communication and stronger commercial practices were at the forefront in Papua New Guinea, as the second seminar of the OFC Football Management Certificate with the Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) concluded.
The certificate is designed to equip football leaders in OFC’s member associations with the knowledge, skills, and leadership capabilities to excel in the football industry as well as leaving a legacy in capacity building across the region.
Over two days, team members from PNGFA engaged in interactive and insightful sessions in the fields of commercial and communications covering topics such as sponsorship, revenue streams and developing internal/external communications.
The sessions encouraged participants to share experiences, identify new ideas, and develop practical solutions to support their operations and long-term growth.
PNGFA General Secretary Ahmjad Tekwie said the seminar was another succesful engagement with OFC.
“We’d like to thank OFC for delivering this workshop. It has been a valuable opportunity for our team, giving them a better understanding of commercial and communications and how these areas support the work of PNGFA.”
Tekwie expressed his gratitude for the sessions, saying it will help the fedearation align on operations moving forward.
“The knowledge and skills they’ve gained will help strengthen our operations and ensure we’re all working together to move the federation forward”
PNGFA Just Play Officer Sonia Embahe took a positive experience from the workshop, saying communication has been a key area she learned from. “It has been a really great experience,” she expressed.
“Communication is something I really need to work on, especially in the role that I work in. So always communicating and keeping everyone informed in what I do.”
OFC Head of Member Association Services Dudley Langelier said the programme reflects OFC’s ongoing commitment to working alongside MA’s.
“This seminar and the Certificate programme in general reflect OFC’s commitment to working closely with the member associations in strengthening the capabilities not only of their team members but as an organisation.” said Langelier.
“It provided the opportunity for the team to reflect, discuss and bring in new ideas in the areas of Commercial and Communication supporting PNGFA’s long-term development.”
The conclusion of the seminar marks the half-way stage in the Certificate programme for PNGFA, with the third set to take place in the coming months. The Certificate programme continues with the Tonga Football Association this August.
The Football Management Certificate is delivered in collaboration with UEFA through the UEFA together programme….PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY: RUGBY.COM.AU PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 07 Jul 2026
Wallabies looking to turn Irish pain into French gain in Brisbane
SYDNEY, 07 JULY 2026 (RUGBY.COM.AU)—Wallabies fullback Jock Campbell is hoping the side can find its ruthless edge as they look to rebound against France on Saturday in Brisbane.
The Australians started their year with a narrow 33-31 loss to Ireland in Sydney, left to lament the missed opportunity for a home victory over the third-ranked side.
They led 24-12 before the break and had the chance for further points thanks to breaks from Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Max Jorgensen.
In the end, a 14-point swing saw Jamison Gibson-Park cross on half-time, proving the difference.
“It’s just a few moments, I guess,” Campbell told reporters.
“They were very clinical when they got some opportunities and I think we let a couple slip. Looking at review, that’s hard to take because we did have our opportunities, but we’re excited to rectify that this week.
“I guess it’s encouraging, but at the end of the day, you’ve got to do it on the field. So, whilst it might be encouraging, until we do that and get over the hump, we don’t really want to be in the same position next week.
“…When we do get those moments, we’ve got to nail them around our roles around securing those line breaks and not turning the ball over in those areas, just trying to give them as little opportunity as possible.”
Campbell was one of the Wallabies best on his return to Test Rugby, scoring one and setting up another in the first half.
It ended a 1,300-day wait between Test matches, with the 31-year-old embracing the chance to return to the gold jersey after letting his Super Rugby form do the talking
“It was good to be back. I thought the atmosphere was great and I felt good out there,” the fullback reflected.
“I had a lot of fun, and the result didn’t go our way, which was very disappointing, but it’s a big moment for my family and me, and it was good to share that with them.
“You always have [Test] ambitions. I think everyone that plays Super Rugby would have those ambitions, but it’s definitely not my main focus. It was trying to get the Reds to play some good footy there and see what happens.”
Campbell is familiar with the French, having made his starting Test debut against them in a narrow one-point loss in 2022.
“They were great as always,” he added on France’s performance last week in a two-point loss to New Zealand. “The French style is unique to them and really good to watch and they’ve obviously got a lot of strike out wide. I thought they played really well,” he said…PACNEWS
