In this bulletin:
1. RUGBY LEAGUE — ‘Rugby league can be a religion in Tonga’: Legacy of 300-game stars
2. RUGBY LEAGUE — Tonga can dare to dream after rugby league investment
3. RUGBY LEAGUE — Pacific rugby league gets AUD$250 million boost as four nations unite for the next generation
4. RUGBY LEAGUE — Marape reveals plans to lead Pacific in league
5. FOOTBALL — Fiji and Papua New Guinea make winning starts to OFC U-16 Men’s Championship
6. RUGBY — England rebound from Boks’ defeat to crush 14-man Fiji
7. RUGBY — Jordan breaks All Blacks try record in rout of Italy
8. RUGBY — France equal 60-year record in historic second-half performance against Wallabies
9. RUGBY — Springboks dig deep to defeat gutsy Scotland
10. FOOTBALL — England and Argentina set up semi-final clash with extra-time victories
PAC – RUGBY LEAGUE: NRL PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 13 Jul 2026
‘Rugby league can be a religion in Tonga’: Legacy of 300-game stars
SYDNEY, 13 JULY 2026 (NRL)—Isaiya Katoa admits he is still starstruck when he plays alongside Daniel Tupou and Jason Taumalolo but the legacy of the first Tongan players to reach the milestone of 300 NRL games goes beyond the Pacific nation.
Just three weeks after watching Jason Taumalolo achieve the feat in North Queensland, Tonga Prime Minister Lord Fakafānua led a delegation, including Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tukuʻaho, to Saturday night’s NRL match as Daniel Tupou made his 300th appearance for the Sydney Roosters.
Like Taumalolo, Tupou chose to represent his heritage at the 2017 World Cup and was part of the Tonga side that changed the face of rugby league forever after they beat New Zealand and fell agonisingly short of a semi-final triumph against England.
The decision those players made and the success of Tonga inspired other players to represent their heritage, leading to the establishment of the Pacific Championships and the introduction of the PNG Chiefs as a Pasifika team in the NRL.
“Guys like Jason Taumalolo and Taniela Tupou started that movement and now we are all seeing how much that has changed the game,” Katoa said.
“They are my team-mates when I go play with them in the Tongan camp but before they were my team-mates I was looking up to them and idolising them because of what they do for our country and the joy that they bring back to our country.
They are true inspirations to young Tongan kids – myself included – and what they did is something that will never be forgotten.
“It is every kid’s dream to play one game in the NRL but for them to have the diligence, the resilience and the perseverance to play 300 games, I think it is pretty special that they did it a couple of weeks apart.”
Katoa attended the signing of the Pacific Rugby League Partnership in Brisbane last Wednesday, which was the first time four of the region’s Prime Ministers – Australia’s Anthony Albanese, PNG’s James Marape, Samoa’s Laʻaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt and Tonga’s Lord Fakafānua – had gathered outside of a political forum.
“The biggest thing that I took away from it was how rugby league brings us together, and the Prime Minister from PNG said that the PNG Chiefs is not only a PNG team, it’s a team for all of our Tongan, Samoan and Fijian players so that is a pathway they can go down,” Katoa said.
Prime Minister Marape had earlier declared that the Chiefs would be “the team of the Pacific”.
“This is not just PNG concept. PNG Rugby League will embrace Tonga Rugby league, Samoa Rugby League and Fiji Rugby League, as well as Niue and Cook Islands,” he said.
Prime Minister Fakafānua responded: “There is a saying in Tonga: When the Chief has spoken there is nothing else to say. The Chiefs will be a platform and a pathway for players from Samoa, Fiji and also from Tonga, and we welcome that.
Rugby League can be a religion in Tonga, we definitely have the funding and the ambition and the will,
“The talent is there and what I am so proud of is the fact that the family of the Pacific has come together in a sport that is unifying people.
“This is the start of something great, this is something wonderful. The change and the difference that this is going to make to both boys and girls across the Pacific, particularly in Samoa, Tonga and Fiji, cannot be understated.”
He also paid tribute to the likes of Taumalolo, Tupou and others Tongan players for their role in starting the momentum that is now building for the game across the Pacific and will be showcased at Rugby League World Cup 2026.
“That was definitely the beginning of the movement; one that has served for the betterment of the sport and for the countries involved,” said Prime Minister Fakafānua, who is also Chair of Tonga Rugby League – a position he held before being elected to lead the country in 2025.
“Congratulations to Jason Taumalolo and also to Daniel Tupou, who have managed to achieve 300 games for their respective club. That is something we want to celebrate with them together.
“It is so inspiring and that is evident in the Red Sea – the supporters who turn up for Tonga, (with) the red flags and the red jerseys. Everyone is just so proud of them, from their families to their villages, the whole country is and the government is behind them.
“I’m so happy that we have talented boys and people like Jason Taumalolo and Daniel Tupou reach a milestone in their career. Not many players make it to 100 games or 200 games, and definitely less make it to 300 matches. I’m supporting Daniel Tupou all the way.”
Taumalolo and Tupou are set to line up together for Tonga in a World Cup for the last time later this year, with Kristian Woolf’s team opening their campaign against England in Perth on 17 October before taking on Lebanon on 23 October and Samoa on 01 November, both at CommBank Stadium….PACNEWS
TONGA – RUGBY LEAGUE: AAP PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 13 Jul 2026
Tonga can dare to dream after rugby league investment
BRISBANE, 13 JULY 2026 (AAP)—Led by stars like Jason Taumalolo and Addin Fonua-Blake, Tonga are already a rugby league force to reckon with – imagine what they could do with state-of-the-art facilities.
Prime Minister Lord Fatafehi Fakafanua says Tonga is daring to dream, with the nation among those set to benefit most from the landmark Pacific Rugby League Partnership.
Announced last Wednesday, the $250 million(US$173 million) agreement between the Australian government and Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and Papua New Guinea will go towards grassroots competitions in the Pacific, establishing school rugby league programs and expanding existing violence prevention and youth programs.
Upgrading the 10,000-capacity Teufaiva Stadium in the captial Nuku’alofa is also at the top of the list for Tonga, as well as building a high-performance centre.
Renovations to the stadium had already been earmarked, with Tonga set to host the Pacific Games in 2031.
Part of the 10-year agreement with the Australian government also includes a promise to “identify opportunities for NRL and NRLW matches to be played in the Pacific”.
Tonga has never hosted an NRL match and the last international on home soil was against Fiji way back in 2007, long before they became a rugby league powerhouse.
They have recently played “home” internationals in Auckland and Brisbane in front of adoring crowds dominated by the Tongan diaspora.
“A lot of people are seeing the potential of rugby league and the support that this partnership will bring to grassroots development,” Lord Fakafanua told AAP in Sydney on Friday.
“There will definitely be pathways, both for junior players, non-professional players, and of course, the elite pathways.
“We’re looking at involving schools and where we need more fields in the other islands, in Ha’apai, Vava’u and ‘Eua, as well as gyms.
“The high-performance centre is really quite critical, and part of the government’s overall plan is to host the Pacific Games in 2031.
“It needs to be a multi-purpose facility that can cater for all sports, really bring some technology and service around our elite players.
“That doesn’t exist right now, but we’re doing so well without that.
“Imagine where we’ll be with the facilities and support that the players need.”
Rugby league has exploded in popularity in Tonga in recent yeasrs after a host of NRL stars chose to represent the nation on the international stage.
Tongan co-captains Taumalolo (North Queensland) and Fonua-Blake (Cronulla) are joined by the likes of Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters), Stefano Utoikamanu (Melbourne) and Dolphins duo Isaiya Katoa and Felise Kaufusi (Dolphins).
They are among the leading title contenders for the men’s World Cup to be co-hosted by Australia, New Zealand and PNG later this year.
Lord Fakafanua’s visit to Australia has aligned with star winger Tupou’s 300-game milestone game against Parramatta at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
It comes just two weeks after Taumalolo become the first Tongan to achieve the feat.
The inclusion of the PNG Chiefs in the NRL in 2028 has also kindled hope for more Tongan players nurtured through new Pacific programs to feature in the league.
“I’m so happy that we have talented boys and people like Jason Taumalolo and Daniel Tupou reach a milestone in their career,” Lord Fakafanua said.
“They’re joining a very small group of players. Not many players make it to 100 or 200, and definitely less make it to 300 matches.
“(PNG) Prime Minister James Marape has made the Chiefs available for Polynesian players. He’s keen to see more Tongan players play with the Chiefs.
“Those are the sort of doors that we’re keen to enable and support. The more pathways, the better,” he said…PACNEWS
PAC – RUGBY LEAGUE: PMN PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 13 Jul 2026
Pacific rugby league gets AUD$250 million boost as four nations unite for the next generation
BRISBANE, 13 JULY 2026 (PMN)—Rugby league’s deep connection across the Pacific is at the centre of a new AUD$250 million (US$173 million) partnership involving Papua New Guinea (PNG), Tonga, Sāmoa and Fiji.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the Pacific Rugby League Partnership in Brisbane last Wednesday alongside PNG Prime Minister James Marape, Tonga Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua and Sāmoa Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt.
The partnership will support rugby league development across the region, from grassroots clubs and schools through to elite competitions, creating more opportunities for young players, coaches and officials.
The announcement came as Pacific leaders gathered in Brisbane for talks focused on strengthening regional ties, with sport highlighted as one of the strongest connections between Pasifika communities and Australia.
Fakafanua highlighted the importance of Pacific labour mobility and people-to-people links with Australia, saying rugby league was part of the wider relationship that connects Pacific communities.
Albanese said rugby league represented more than a game for Pacific communities.
“For all us, more than a sport: a language, a culture, a connection that is both family and faith,” he said. “A bond that unites communities and inspires the next generation.”
The partnership comes as PNG prepares to enter the National Rugby League (NRL) with the PNG Chiefs. The new franchise is expected to create a pathway for players and communities across the country.
Albanese said rugby league had become a shared language across the Pacific.
“Papua New Guinea alone is home to more than 800 languages but everyone speaks rugby league,” he said.
The agreement will also support the growth of women’s rugby league with the leaders highlighting the importance of creating more opportunities for women and girls across the region.
Albanese said the the rise of women’s rugby league showed what could be achieved when communities were given greater access to the sport.
“The growth of women’s rugby league here in Australia and across the Pacific is truly inspiring,” he said.
“It shows what is possible with a commitment to access and equality, from grassroots facilities all the way to the elite level and this Partnership will build on that too.”
Laaulialemalietoa said sports was a powerful part of the relationship between Pacific nations and Australia.
He said Sāmoa was grateful for Australia’s support in creating opportunities for young people.
He said more Pacific talent was ready to emerge.
“I’m glad to learn that Rugby League is your passion, and I can assure you there are more superstars in the Pacific that needs to bring up here,” he said.
Marape also highlighted the importance of the sport in strengthening links between the two countries.
The partnership builds on the growing influence of Pacific players in rugby league with athletes from PNG, Tonga, Sāmoa and Fiji becoming some of the biggest names in the NRL and international game.
The leaders say the goal is not only to develop elite athletes but to use rugby league as a pathway into education, employment, leadership and stronger communities across the Pacific….PACNEWS
PNG – RUGBY LEAGUE: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 13 Jul 2026
Marape reveals plans to lead Pacific in league
PORT MORESBY, 13 JULY 2026 (THE NATIONAL)—Prime Minister James Marape is ambitious for Papua New Guinea to become the Pacific’s leading producer of rugby league talent.
Speaking in Port Moresby, he said the PNG Chiefs would represent the country while embracing talent from across the Pacific region.
He said the Chiefs would build strong partnerships with Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, the Cook Islands, and other Pacific nations and the Torres Strait island communities to strengthen junior development.
“The Chiefs have a PNG name in front, but it will be a team that embraces the Pacific,” Marape said.
He said the club’s junior catchment area would extend across PNG, the Pacific and Far North Queensland, giving more talented boys and girls the opportunity to develop through the Chiefs’ pathway.
“The long-term goal is to identify the best young players and build a sustainable club going forward.”
Acknowledging the recognition of Papua New Guinea’s enormous potential in producing world-class players, the prime minister said: “The NRL has full knowledge that Papua New Guinea will become one of the biggest breeding grounds for rugby league players in the future.”
He also announced that the Government has signed an understanding with the Queensland University of Technology to strengthen education partnerships and support the long-term development of young Papua New Guineans.
Marape said combining education with rugby league development would ensure the country produces not only elite athletes but also skilled young leaders for the future…..PACNEWS
PAC – FOOTBALL: OFC PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 13 Jul 2026
Fiji and Papua New Guinea make winning starts to OFC U-16 Men’s Championship
PORT MORESBY, 13 JULY 2026 (OFC)—Fiji kicked off their OFC U-16 Men’s Championship campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over New Caledonia at the PNG Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
Fiji started strongly and dominated throughout, as they laid down their credentials in Group A.
Zaman Shah gave Fiji the lead after just 13 minutes – the forward taking advantage of some slack play from New Caledonia as they tried to play out from the back, nicking possession and hammering a left-footed effort past goalkeeper Jeremy Fere from the edge of the penalty box.
Minutes later and the lead was doubled. Shah’s free-kick from the right flank was cleared as far as Rayyaan Mohammed, who’s well-hit effort hit the underside of the crossbar, only for Isoa Baselala to react quicker than anyone else to nod home from close range.
Maikeli Ratuove and Shah both went close in the final moments of the first period, forcing Fere into two good saves to ensure New Caledonia remained in the contest at the break.
New Caledonia turned to the bench, bringing on Titouan Deniaud , Jean-Christ Wea and Valdo Teanyouen as they looked to swing the momentum in their favour. Fiji remained comfortable though, without offering too much threat of adding to their first-half goals.
Chances remained at a premium, with neither side able to muster any substantial efforts on goal. Fiji especially struggled to match the impressive intensity and tempo they had displayed in the opening fourty-five minutes.
Fiji would comfortably see out the remainder of the 90 minutes to get their tournament up and running and boost their chances of advancing to the semi-finals.
New Caledonia: 0
Fiji: 2 (Zaman SHAH 13′, Isoa BASELALA 17′)
HT: 0-2
Hosts Papua New Guinea impressed in their opening day victory over 10-man Samoa in the evening fixture.
Already well on top, Papua New Guinea’s task was made more comfortable when Samoa were reduced to ten men late in the first-half.
By that point, they were already 2-0 up, with Jaru Eron and Toka Goro both getting on the scoresheet within two minutes of one another.
14 minutes were on the clock when Eron opened the scoring. The full-back burst forward from the left flank, beating two men before rounding goalkeeper Moemanatu Lesatele and tapping into the unguarded net.
Two minutes later and Toka Goro doubled his side’s lead. Iga Steven with good work down the left, crossing for Goro to capitalise on Samoa’s poor defensive clearance to scramble the ball home.
Captain Mathew Sopo hit the bar late in the half before Samoa picked up a red card in first-half stoppage time. Boas Tommy was played through on goal, only to be tripped on the edge of the area by Bevan Jr Kapisi, leaving the referee with little choice other than to brandish the red card.
Papua New Guinea continued their dominance in the second period as Samoa tried their best to adjust to the man disadvantage.
Just over an hour was on the clock when the home side made their pressure count. Nigel Gunemba finding Boas Tommy with a slide rule through pass, allowing Tommy to check back inside onto his right foot and fire past Lesatele.
To their credit, Samoa held firm for much of the second half. Lesatele especially produced a number of smart saves to keep the score down, as Papua New Guinea pushed to add to their tally.
The ‘keeper was unable to prevent Iga Steven adding a fourth in the 80th minute however. John Millis’ cross was met by Klivet Ronald, who couldn’t make the ideal connection, only for Steven to follow up and scramble the ball in from a couple of yards out.
The win gives the hosts a perfect start, as they now look ahead to facing New Caledonia on Wednesday.
Papua New Guinea: 4 (Jaru ERON 14′, Toka GORO 16′, Boas TOMMY 61′, Iga STEVEN 80′)
Samoa: 0
HT: 2-0….PACNEWS
UK – RUGBY: AAP PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 13 Jul 2026
England rebound from Boks’ defeat to crush 14-man Fiji
LONDON, 13 JULY 2026 (AAP)—Under-pressure England have provided a swift answer to their critics — for a week at least — as they smothered a hugely disappointing Fiji by a record 73-8 in their Nations Championship rugby clash in Liverpool.
Relevant questions about England’s line-up, tactics and attitude after the hammering from world champions South Africa in Johannesburg last weekend were pacified somewhat by coming home on Saturday and posting an equally unsurprising 11-try win against outclassed Fiji at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Fiji struggled for possession and could not handle England’s scrum, maul and defence. Under pressure, Fiji conceded 12 penalties — nine by halftime — and a red card to scrumhalf Simione Kuruvoli for lashing out with his boot into the stomach of Ellis Genge.
That meant Fiji played the entire second half down a man and England could play wider and be ruthless. Up 35-3 at halftime, England added six more tries, including a hat-trick for replacement flanker Henry Pollock. Fin Smith converted nine.
England tallied a record score against Fiji and their biggest win since beating Chile 71-0 in Lille at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
‘What really pleased me was the defensive performance,” England coach Steve Borthwick said.
“We played a Fiji team that is so dangerous with ball in hand. To restrict them right to the end was an impressive defensive performance. To be alive for each and every minute was pleasing.”
A more thorough vetting of England’s latest changes, including Henry Slade recalled to outside centre, should come from Argentina next weekend in Santiago del Estero.
After a poor show against the Springboks, England were under pressure to avoid a sixth-straight Test defeat for the first time in 20 years, but Fij were never in it.
Any tension in the sun-soaked crowd of 50,000 at Hill Dickinson Stadium evaporated quickly after Fiji gifted Marcus Smith the opening try when Salesi Rayasi casually let the ball bounce off the right corner flag, followed by England captain Jamie George scoring from a lineout drive before the first water break.
While Fiji flanker Levani Botia was in the sin-bin, England jumped from 14-3 to 35-3 with tries by Guy Pepper, Benhard Janse van Rensburg with his first touch on debut, and Seb Atkinson.
Fiji deserved a first try right on halftime to Kalaveti Ravouvou after 11 phases but it was chalked off after Kuruvoli was caught kicking Genge on the floor.
Surprisingly, Fiji scored the first try of the second half to captain Tevita Ikanivere but didn’t go near the England tryline again….PACNEWS
NZ – RUGBY: AFP PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 13 Jul 2026
Jordan breaks All Blacks try record in rout of Italy
AUCKLAND, 13 JULY 2026 (AFP)—Will Jordan scored a hat-trick to become New Zealand’s record try-scorer as Italy were overwhelmed 47-17 in a fast-paced Nations Championship Test on Saturday.
The All Blacks shook off an unconvincing start to score seven tries and make it two wins from two in the inaugural 12-nation competition under new coach Dave Rennie, following their 34-32 defeat of France last week.
The home side led 14-10 after an unconvincing first half but they came alive in the third quarter of the match when they crossed four times as Italy were reduced to 14 players.
Two of those went to speedy wing Jordan, lifting his career tally to 50 in 56 Tests and one ahead of the former record-holder, wing Doug Howlett.
Italy’s hopes nosedived when lock Niccolo Cannone was shown a yellow card 10 minutes after the interval for a head-butt on New Zealand scrum-half Cam Roigard.
It was upgraded to red by match officials who deemed it carried a high degree of danger, with no mitigation.
The visitors suffered a series of injuries, including an apparent chest injury to fullback Tommaso Allan, who was stretchered from the field after a lengthy break.
Italy made a dream start when midfielder Tommaso Menoncello crossed in the third minute, finishing off a move he began by busting through Billy Proctor’s attempted tackle and interchanging passes with Malik Faissal.
New Zealand levelled the scores at 7-7 when lock Sam Darry barged over, before the visitors went back in front through a penalty to Allan.
Jordan crossed on the half-hour mark to ensure New Zealand took a narrow advantage into the interval after a scrappy 40 minutes in which they struggled to dent a resolute Italy defence.
Four New Zealand tries in the first 14 minutes of the second spell bulldozed Italy’s hopes of a first Test win over New Zealand in 18 attempts.
The first two went to Roigard and Ethan De Groot, both after good work from substitute wing Josh Moorby on Test debut.
Jordan then crossed twice in quick succession but the home side had to wait until the final minute for their last try, by lock Tupou Vaa’i.
Italy’s lone second half try was scored by substitute Leonardo Marin.
New Zealand host Ireland in Auckland this week while Italy, who were beaten 27-10 by Japan last week, will play Australia in Perth….PACNEWSS
AUST – RUGBY: AAP PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 13 Jul 2026
France equal 60-year record in historic second-half performance against Wallabies
BRISBANE, 13 JULY 2026 (AAP)—30 second-half points has powered France to a 42-26 win over the Wallabies in Brisbane.
The result sees the visitors retain the Trophée des Bicentenaires and secure their fourth straight win over the Wallabies; marking the first time Les Bleus have achieved such a feat since 1967, and also marking their first-ever win at Suncorp Stadium.
“We’re gutted. Another good first half, but we have to be able to go out and deliver a second half that’s as worthy as the first 40 minutes,” Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said post-game.
“I think there was a couple of really big turning points…In the wash up, we just know we have to get a win next week. It’s as simple as that.”
The visitors started well, winning the kick-off and then being awarded a penalty for a high Josh Canham tackle, with Emmanuel Meafou coming up with the opening try, barging over four Wallabies to score in the 3rd minute.
The French physicality looked ominous; however, an overzealous cleanout gave the Wallabies a chance to reply in the 11th minute – one that Brendan Paenga-Amosa, fresh to the field for Josh Nasser (HIA), benefitted from off a trick lineout move, drawing the Wallabies back level.
The score proved to lift the hosts, the Wallabies getting little ball but surviving several waves of French attack – until Romain Ntamack kicked ahead in the 18th minute, allowing debutant Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang to score in the corner.
The hosts were undeterred, however, and after a brilliant Tom Wright kick that saw them earn a 50/22, Meafou then found himself in the bin for a high shot on Rob Valetini.
The Wallabies capitalised immediately, a tap-and-go seeing Fraser McReight barge over in the 27th minute, Ryan Lonergan converting to give the hosts the lead for the first time.
The French made consecutive errors off the restart, the hosts earning a penalty off the scrum and then capitalising through another strong kick to Tom Wright.
On the eve of Meafou’s return, the hosts turned to the maul in the 34th minute, capitalising on the advantage with McReight nabbing his second of the night to extend the lead.
As halftime approached, fatigue set in during a massive passage of play that saw the sides play close to five minutes of uninterrupted play, the French finally getting a penalty in the final minute and going to the corner.
In the end, the hosts were penalised for obstruction off the maul short of the try line, allowing the hosts to take a 21-12 lead going into halftime.
The French tried to reactivate their physicality, but several early steals by McReight frustrated the visitors – until a Jorgensen tackle was brought back, the French pointing to the sticks and Lucu not missing to cut the margin to six.
It proved to be the score that saw the French spring into life.
At the 50th minute, the visitors found their third try through Grandidier-Nkanang, cutting the margin to one point with Lucu missing the conversion, with Wright sent to the bin for a late shot.
The injection of subs proved effective for France, Romain Ntamack regaining the lead three minutes later through a brilliant read down the blindside, before Florian Verhaeghe barged over under the sticks to give the visitors a 13-point lead just shy of the hour mark.
The French were on fire, and Theo Attissogbe would’ve had their sixth try if not for a forward pass with the line begging. The Wallabies scrum kept them in the match before an obstruction saw the French point to the sticks, Lucu taking the penalty to extend the margin.
It took until the final 15 minutes for the Wallabies to finally get some possession, the French defence surviving 16 phases and two long-range attacks to not concede any points, proving critical plays to stifle any fightback as the final ten minutes began.
With the hosts’ mistakes adding to the pressure, the French pounced in the 72nd minute with a long-range effort, Attissogbe finally getting a try to see the visitors take their second-half tally to 30 points.
A try to Williams in the 77th minute provided a consolation for the hosts, but it was all the side could muster as the French claimed a maiden win at Suncorp Stadium.
Wallabies 26 (Tries: Paenga-Amosa, McReight 2, Williams. Cons: R. Lonergan 3/3, Campbell 0/1) def by France 42 (Tries: Meafou, Grandidier-Nkanang 2, Ntamack, Verhaeghe, Attissogbe. Cons: Lucu 3/5, Le Garrec 0/1, Pens: Lucu 2/2)…PACNEWS
S/AFRICA – RUGBY: AAP PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 13 Jul 2026
Springboks dig deep to defeat gutsy Scotland
PRETORIA, 13 JULY 2026 (AAP)—Gregor Townsend was convinced his swashbuckling Scotland side were on the brink of an historic result in South Africa before being left to rue a “frustrating” inability to score more prolifically when on top as they went down 42-28 in a Nations Championship thriller in Pretoria.
Having seen off England, France and Argentina in impressive fashion already this year, the resurgent Scots produced another big display against top-tier opposition as they ran the double world champions close on Saturday.
After fighting back from 14-0 down to go in level at half-time through tries from Matt Fagerson and Kyle Rowe, the Scots were ultimately left to lament their failure to score while Ben-Jason Dixon was in the sin-bin early in the second half.
Townsend felt the forward was fortunate to avoid seeing his yellow card upgraded to a red for what he felt “looked like a head-on-head collision” with Scott Cummings.
The Springboks capitalised on this reprieve to pull away again with three tries in the space of 10 minutes either side of the hour mark.
Scotland hit back again through Josh Bayliss and Ben White to close to within a converted try of their hosts heading into the final 10 minutes before Jesse Kriel eventually took the game beyond the spirited visitors with the Boks’ sixth try in the 77th minute of an epic encounter.
“It’s a mixture of pride and frustration,” said head coach Townsend. “We were encouraged but also frustrated at half-time. We managed to get ourselves back into the game and we were causing South Africa issues and creating opportunities.
“There was a really good base for us to build on and I felt at the beginning of the second half we were excellent. We got into the 22 on a couple of occasions but the frustration was not scoring when we were up a man. Then we were sloppy for 10 minutes and we were suddenly 21 points down.
“The period after that showed the best of Scottish rugby, our players’ toughness and conditioning, because there were some big moments that got us back into the game.
“At 70 minutes, I really believed that we would go on and win the game but it wasn’t to be.”
Despite being unable to eke out a first-ever win in South Africa, Scotland were able to draw some encouragement from claiming a four-try bonus point against an opponent who restricted them to no tries in each of their previous two meetings in 2023 and 2024.
“Oh absolutely, there’s a lot more in us,” said Townsend, drawing on the positives. “With the amount of opportunities that the players created today through work, through skill and intelligence, we’ve got to take more of them to beat the world champions.” …. PACNEWS
USA – FOOTBALL: OFC PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 13 Jul 2026
England and Argentina set up semi-final clash with extra-time victories
DALLAS, 13 JULY 2026 (OFC) —The semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 26 are set, with the tournaments highest-ranked teams completing the final four.
England needed extra-time to overcome a spirited Norway side in Miami, whilst Argentina and Switzerland also went the full 120 minutes, with the defending champions finally making the most of a man advantage.
Quarter-finals
Norway 1 England 2
Two goals from Jude Bellingham saw England come from behind to defeat Norway and advance to the semi-finals for just the fourth time in the nation’s history.
The Norwegians enjoyed most of the running in the opening period and took a deserved lead when Andreas Schjelderup’s cross from the left-hand side evaded a despairing Jordan Pickford and thudded in off the far post.
Ståle Solbakken’s side continued to impress and gave England very little in the way of chances. That was until the final minutes of the half, when Jude Bellingham controlled excellently in the area, drifting clear of his marker and rifling an effort past Ørjan Håskjold Nyland to level the score.
Norway were unlucky not to retake the lead early in the second-half. Torbjørn Heggem finished smartly at the far post following a corner, but a VAR check harshly deemed Erling Haaland to have fouled Elliot Anderson before the set piece was taken.
Neither side could find a way through for the remainder of the 90 minutes, sending the affair to extra-time.
Only three minutes of the additional thirty was required for England to take the lead for the first time. Morgan Rogers effort was spilled by Nyland, with Bellingham reacting quickest to bury the rebound.
England though they had a penalty just minutes later, when Djed Spence was upended in the area, but referee Clement Turpin was sent to the VAR monitor and quickly established Spence had initiated the contact himself.
Norway struggled to regain momentum, with Pickford largely untroubled as England held on to book a semi-final place.
Reece James shields the ball from Antonio Nusa.
Argentina 3 Switzerland 1
Argentina will face England in the semi-finals next week, after they eventually saw off a determined Switzerland side after extra-time.
The World Cup holders were given the perfect start when Alexis Mac Allister headed in after just 10 minutes to put his side in front.
It was to prove something of a false dawn however, as the game slowed to crawling pace for most of the opening half, with Argentina unable to add to their lead and Switzerland offering little in attack.
The half-time break brought an uptick in the intensity however and it was the Swiss that would make the most of it. Nottingham Forest’s Dan Ndoye played a neat one-two with full-back Ricardo Rodriguez, before slotting underneath Emiliano Martinez to make it 1-1 after 67 minutes.
Moments later however and the game’s decisive turning point arrived. Breel Embolo seemed to have been tripped by Leandro Paredes, with the midfielder given a yellow card. A VAR check however determined Embolo had dived and, having already been booked, was shown a second yellow card to leave Murat Yakin’s side a man down.
Argentina worked hard to make their man advantage count in the 90 minutes, but Switzerland held firm to force extra-time. That resolve continued, with the defending champions unable to find a way through in the first period of extra-time.
Just eight minutes were left when Argentina finally found the breakthrough. Julian Alvarez cutting in from the left and arrowing a pin-point effort into the far top corner, beating Gregor Kobel to make it 2-1.
Switzerland were left to try and turn the tide once again, but were ultimately picked off on the counter-attack, with Lautaro Martinez adding a third with little time left on the clock.
Dreams of back-to-back titles remain for Argentina, who can prepare for a blockbuster clash with England in the semi-finals in Atlanta next week.
Lautaro Martinez celebrates scoring Argentina’s third goal.
RESULTS
Norway 1 (Andreas SCHJELDERUP 36′) England 2 (Jude BELLINGHAM 45+2′, 93′) AET
Argentina 3 (Alexis MAC ALLISTER 10′, Julian ALVAREZ 112′, Lautaro MARTINEZ 120+1′) Switzerland 1 (Dan NDOYE 67′) AET
WHAT’S NEXT
Semi-finals
Wednesday, July 15
France v Spain | 7am NZT (Dallas)….PACNEWS
