In this bulletin:
1. RUGBY — Naihamu dominates Drua awards with triple crown
2. COMMONWEALTH GAMES — ‘My bloodline’: teen boxer brings Tuvalu fire to Games
3. COMMONWEALTH GAMES — Elliott gutted with fourth as Nauru teen shines
4. COMMONWEALTH GAMES — Runway’s looking red-hot’: Cam’s gold Brisbane vision
5. COMMONWEALTH GAMES — Envoy meets, encourages PNG athletes
6. COMMONWEALTH GAMES — Fiji teenager through to finals as Pacific medal hopes build in Glasgow
7. FOOTBALL — Fiji coaches set for OFC A licence course
8. RUGBY LEAGUE — BSP launches Rugby League World Cup campaign
9. RUGBY — Nathan Lawson returns to Sevens, signs until LA Olympics
10. RUGBY LEAGUE — Roosters coach uncertain about injured veteran’s future
FIJI – RUGBY: FBC SPORTS PACNEWS SPORT: Wed 29 Jul 2026
Naihamu dominates Drua awards with triple crown
NADI, 29 JULY 2026 (FBC SPORTS)—Josivini Naihamu was the biggest winner at the 2026 McDonald’s Fijian Drua Women’s Awards, taking home three of the night’s highest honours following an outstanding Super Rugby Women’s season.
The rising star was named the 2026 McDonald’s Fiji Player of the Year, received the Encore Players’ Player of the Year Award, and won the Fiji Airways Try of the Year Award for her spectacular try, finishing ahead of fellow nominees Aqela Raitubu and Kolora Lomani.
Speaking after the awards, an emotional Naihamu said she was both nervous and excited, admitting she never imagined she would be recognised with the night’s biggest awards.
“I was nervous and excited, but most of all thankful for the opportunity. I’m grateful to my teammates and the coaching staff for believing in me and choosing me for this award. And I didn’t know that I would get the Player of the Year”
She said her only goal throughout the season was to give her all every time she pulled on the Drua jersey.
Reflecting on her journey, Naihamu says rugby has already created opportunities she once only dreamed about, and she hopes there is more to come.
The young inside centre also encouraged other girls to take up the sport, saying rugby can open doors and allow them to experience places and opportunities they never thought possible.
Naihamu dedicated her awards to her family, thanking them for their constant encouragement and unwavering support throughout the season.
In other Awards, Ruth Raketekete was awarded the Punjas Community Champion, Carletta Yee was awarded the 2026 Mogul Fan Player of the Year Award, and Varanisese Qoro was awarded the 2026 Rooster Chicken Women’s Rookie of the Year.
Although the Fijian Drua Women fell short against the NSW Waratahs in the Super Rugby Women’s Grand Final, the team has plenty to celebrate after a remarkable 2026 campaign….PACNEWS
PAC – COMMONWEALTH GAMES: AAP PACNEWS SPORT: Wed 29 Jul 2026
‘My bloodline’: teen boxer brings Tuvalu fire to Games
GLASGOW, 29 JULY 2026 (AAP)—Pasoni Taafaki’s Commonwealth Games ended way too quickly and he was in no mood to talk about it.
So a few hours after the 18-year-old lost his debut Games bout to Mauritian veteran Merven Clair in the 70kg class and quickly left the arena, it was left to Taafaki’s Dad and coach Badi to discuss what had been achieved.
The teenager was the flag bearer for the tiny island of Tuvalu at the Games opening ceremony. Older sister Tarona, 19, will also fight in the 75kg category.
Their Pacific islands home is one of the world’s smallest nations and a country most directly impacted by the effects of climate change.
It takes three days to travel from Tuvalu to Glasgow, via a boat or plane trip to Fiji.
“The Tuvalu flag is my bloodline. This is where I was born and raised – now my son carries it,” Badi told AAP.
“It (travel) is very tiring, even though you don’t feel it because of the excitement.
“Sport is everything to us in terms of the global arena – it’s transformed a lot of things.
“We were a colony of Great Britain and they acknowledge it. For us, to make history at this level, people realise Tuvalu is there.”
All of Badi’s eight children, aged from seven to 22, are boxers.
He wants them to have what was never available to him at their age.
“We did a lot of bare knuckling – we loved the sport, it just wasn’t available,” Badi said.
“Tuvalu’s future in boxing is very bright. A lot more Tuvaluans are coming through the rankings.
“The nice thing is they’re all determined to make statements. There’s a lot of fire in the belly.”
Badi said the unaminous points decision against his son showed Pasoni had a lot to learn, but added he lacked nothing for potential and attitude.
“There are levels to sports … to fight an Olympian, a kid who is way, way older than him, who has been to the Commonwealth Games four times – he’s the African champ for the last three years,” he said.
“I can’t be any more proud of what Pasoni did and the work we did.
“Pasoni has a lot of fire in him, he just couldn’t catch the opponent because the whole time he was running away from us.
“I guess that’s strategic. It was very, very close, but it is what it is. We’ll build it from here.”
The Mauritian camp made a point of approaching Pasoni after the bout and offering their respect.
“Pasoni has spent very limited time in the game, even though he’s New Zealand champ. We need to get a lot more exposure to international levels,” Badi said.
“If you get to know this boy, he’s a very hard competitor. He doesn’t accept defeat, so today is one of those days.
“It will take him a little while to cool down. It took him an hour just to calm down.
‘He got approached by the opponent’s coaches and their whole staff, even their medical, and they just told him this is one of the hardest fights their boy has fought,” he said…PACNEWS
PAC – COMMONWEALTH GAMES: AAP PACNEWS SPORT: Wed 29 Jul 2026
Elliott gutted with fourth as Nauru teen shines
GLASGOW, 29 JULY 2026 (AAP)—Nauru phenomenon Femily Crystie-Notte was just four years old when Australian Kiana Elliott started her weightlifting career, 13 years ago.
“Far out – now you’re making me feel old, I just turned 29 ,” Elliott said as she burst out laughing.
It was a rare moment of levity as a tearful Elliott grappled with a wave of conflicting emotions at the Commonwealth Games.
She finished fourth again early on Wednesday morning (AEST), after missing bronze by one kilogram four years ago for the same result in Birmingham.
Beset by injuries, Elliott made the tough decision ahead of Glasgow to go up a weight class from 58 to 63kg, for the sake of her health.
But that meant she had to come up against 33-year-old Canadian great Maude Charron, who has won gold and silver at the last two Olympics.
Charron set a Games record of 232kg as she beat England’s Sarah Davies Smale, also 33, who won 71kg gold in Birmingham.
And then there’s 17-year-old Notte, who is continuing Nauru’s extraordinary run of weightlifting success. All its 10 Commonwealth Games golds have been in the sport and Notte won their 33rd medal.
On the day before, Ezekiel Moses also won bronze for Nauru in the men’s 71kg.
“Maude is a top competitor, Sarah is so strong and Femily is coming through and fighting like hell, setting the standard for what weightlifting can be,” Elliott said.
“Sometimes you end up in the most competitive weight class and that’s fine.”
But Elliott needed several minutes to compose herself after coming so close again to the podium.
She finished two kilograms behind Notte and had the Australian nailed her last clean-and-jerk attempt, it would have put Elliott in the bronze medal position.
“I have no idea what happened on that third attempt, honestly, all I wanted to do today was put absolutely everything into what I did out there on the platform,” Elliott said
“That’s what I did. I’m gutted (with) fourth – fourth four years ago – but I came in to put up a fight.
“I didn’t pick the easy option and it’s a privilege and an honour to compete against such competitive athletes.”
Elliott said it was not worth her health to try for the lower weight category as she battled injury ahead of Glasgow.
“Weightlifting is about lifting weights, it’s not about being a smaller person and I’m proud that I chose the difficult option,” she said.
“I’m not done yet. Fourth and fourth is a pretty tough pill to swallow. (But) I have to be really proud.”
As Elliott vowed to come back and Charron said she is unsure how much longer her storied career will continue, the shy teen from Nauru was taking in her outstanding Games debut.
She had plenty of family staying up early in the morning back home to watch the competition.
“My grandfather said ‘I’m saving my eyeballs for you,” said Notte, who also has relatives in Brisbane.
“I’m beyond happy about myself.
“I want to be more like them – strong and get to their dreams – Olympic champion.”
Earlier on day five, Australian Ryven Ewing was fifth in the men’s 88kg as Malaysian Hafizuddin Bin Roslin Muhammad won gold….PACNEWS
UK – COMMONWEALTH GAMES: AAP PACNEWS SPORT: Wed 29 Jul 2026
Runway’s looking red-hot’: Cam’s gold Brisbane vision
GLASGOW, 29 JULY 2026 (AAP)—Cam McEvoy believes Australia’s astonishing domination of the Commonwealth Games swimming program offers a tantalising glimpse of a gold-laden home Olympics in Brisbane.
And the newly-crowned Glasgow 50m freestyle champion is determined to be one of the trailblazers on that “red-hot runway” to the 2032 Games, promising there’s plenty of improvement to come from him.
The world’s fastest swimmer demonstrated again in the Tollcross pool, having blasted to the fourth-quickest time in history in 20.97 seconds, just how he’s improving like a fine wine, as he again underlined how Brisbane will be on his radar, even at 38.
But while he’s hugely encouraged by his own prospects, with the Los Angeles 2028 Games his initial premier target, he’s just as enthused by the prospects of a Dolphins team which is sweeping all before them in Scotland.
Australia have won 23 of the first 35 events in the pool over the first four nights, putting them comfortably on track for this to be the swim team’s greatest ever Commonwealth Games.
McEvoy has been in awe of the strength in depth of a team packed with both youth and experience.
“Yeah, every year as a team, we go incredibly well. I think we peak every year – and then we come back the year after and we just take one step forward,” said McEvoy.
“So it’s a really good spot for LA, but even better for Brisbane 2032.
“Our team right now is incredible, but there’s a lot of youngsters at the national age-group level, or ones who just missed this team, who will come through in their prime by Brisbane 2032.
“So the runway’s looking pretty red-hot.”
Of his own prospects, he’s “excited” after the “double whammy” of annexing his first Commonwealth 50m free gold, following a previous silver and bronze, while also dipping under 21 seconds for just the second time.
“Knowing it’s not a one-off (time under 21 seconds) makes me very confident going into the future,” he said.
“By the time LA comes around, it’s not so much about doing the best time, it’s about getting your hand on the wall first.
“But if the ceiling is high enough, I’ll have good confidence to know that I don’t have to do a superhuman performance to be in a good shot to medal or to win it.”
McEvoy is ignoring the Pan-Pacific championships, preferring instead to race World Cup short course meetings later this year before the world short course championships and next year’s world championships in the 50m pool.
Intriguingly, he adds he’s going to try for a spot in the 4x100m relay short course quartet “just to see how I go”.
So how fast can the man who holds the world record of 20.88 go?
“I know the time I possibly could go for, so I do have an end goal in mind,” he said.
“But I’m going to keep that close to my chest,” McEvoy said…. PACNEWS
PAC – COMMONWEALTH GAMES: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS SPORT: Wed 29 Jul 2026
Envoy meets, encourages PNG athletes
GLASGOW, 29 JULY 2026 (THE NATIONAL) —Papua New Guinea athletes to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in Scotland were greeted with a warm welcome from PNG’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Betty Palaso.
She urged the athletes to compete with pride and fly the nation’s flag with distinction at the Glasgow Games.
Palaso also praised the dedication and hard work that earned each athlete the opportunity to represent PNG.
Addressing Team PNG in Glasgow last week, Palaso praised the dedication and hard work that earned each athlete the opportunity to represent PNG.
Encouraging the athletes to compete with pride and determination, she expressed confidence in their ability to succeed: “All your hard work has made it possible for you to come here. We just encourage you to represent our country well, give your 100 per cent effort and fly the Bird of Paradise high.”
Chef de mission Elaine Iorive echoed Palaso’s sentiments. “The games are more than medals. Medals are a celebration, but representing Papua New Guinea on the world stage is already one of the greatest honours an athlete can achieve. Your coaches, officials and management team are ready, and we stand by you to support you as you step into competition,” Iorive said….PACNEWS
PAC – COMMONWEALTH GAMES: PMN PACNEWS SPORT: Wed 29 Jul 2026
Fiji teenager through to finals as Pacific medal hopes build in Glasgow
GLASGOW, 29 JULY 2026 (PMN)—Fiji teenager Anahira McCutcheon has kept Pacific hopes alive in the pool after qualifying for the women’s 50-metre freestyle semi-finals at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
McCutcheon, 16, clocked 25.45 seconds in her heat to progress, continuing an impressive campaign after breaking Fiji’s national 50m butterfly record twice earlier at the Games and advanced to the 100m freestyle semi-finals.
She headlines another busy day for Pacific athletes, with several nations now within touching distance of medals across multiple sports.
Tonga’s women’s 3×3 basketball team has also reached the quarter-finals where they will face Uganda for a place in the last four.
In boxing, Fiji’s Jasmine Daunakamakama will fight Bangladesh’s Keshani Hansika in the women’s 57kg quarter-finals while Sāmoa’s Marion Ah Tong takes on Scotland’s Sonny Kerr in the men’s 70kg quarter-finals.
Sāmoa’s Seko also faces India’s Narender in the men’s 90kg+ quarter-finals while Niue’s Duken Holo Tutaikitoa-Williams meets Wales’ Connor Williams in the men’s 90kg division.
Sāmoa’s Emmanuel Shalom Palota Ulimasao is preparing for the men’s 94kg weightlifting final, with the Pacific lifter chasing a place on the Commonwealth Games podium in Glasgow.
Earlier, Niue’s Karen Te Ruki Pasene and Papua New Guinea’s Flora Loga bowed out of the women’s 60kg competition after quarter-final defeats.
Weightlifting remains one of the Pacific’s strongest medal opportunities over the coming days.
Sāmoa’s Emmanuel Shalom Palota Ulimasao will contest the men’s 94kg final while Thursday’s heavyweight programme features Tonga’s Joshua Makafana Uikilifi Jr, Sāmoa’s Jack Hitila Opeloge, Fiji’s Taniela Tuisuva Rainibogi and Vanuatu’s Thomas Wilbur in the men’s 110kg final.
The women’s +86kg final also promises plenty of Pacific interest with Sāmoa’s Iuniarra Sipaia, Cook Islands lifter Mata Noko McDonald, Kiribati’s Tenganga Taunikarawa and Tuvalu’s Malia Timo all in action.
Nauru’s Marcincy Cook finished ninth in the men’s 88kg final with a total lift of 290kg while Sāmoa’s Seine Stowers placed eighth in the women’s 77kg division.
On the track, Tuvalu’s Howard Tapuaiga Siila produced two season’s best performances after racing in both the men’s 800m and 400m heats just 35 minutes apart.
The 19-year-old finished eighth in both races.
“When I decided to enter the races we weren’t sure of the scheduling,” he said. “But I heard the crowd all the way round and they helped push me on.”
Papua New Guinea’s William Camilus Peka also set a personal best of 49.88 seconds in the men’s 400m heats.
Athletics finals are also on the horizon with Papua New Guinea’s Regina Edward contesting the women’s discus, Fiji’s Sitiveni Konataci in the men’s discus and Tonga’s Ata Maama Tu’utafaiva and Sāmoa’s Nu’u Tuilefano lining up in the women’s shot put final.
In lawn bowls, Pacific nations continue round-robin play while Tonga’s Tala will face England before meeting Malawi as they chase a place in the netball semi-finals.
Team Pacific have three medals to their name after PNG weightlifer Morea Baru clinched the region’s first medal in the men’s 65kg division to win a bronze. Hours later, Sāmoa’s John Latafi Tafi won a silver and Nauru’s Ezekiel Moses the bronze in the men’s 71kg weightlifting final.
With knockout matches and medal events across the next two days, the Pacific challenge in Glasgow is entering one of its busiest and most important stages.
The 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games ends on 3 August…..PACNEWS
PNG – RUGBY LEAGUE: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS SPORT: Wed 29 Jul 2026
BSP launches Rugby League World Cup campaign
PORT MORESBY, 29 JULY 2026 (THE NATIONAL)—As excitement builds ahead of the Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) later this year, Bank South Pacific has officially launched its “Backing Every Try, Backing Every Customer” regional campaign.
The campaign highlights the bank’s role as the official exclusive banking partner and major sponsor of the Rugby League World Cup 2026.
The bank said in a statement yesterday that it also reflects BSP’s commitment to supporting customers, communities and economic opportunities across the South Pacific.
“Spanning across Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, the campaign will champion the nations and teams representing the region on the world stage, including the PNG Kumuls and Orchids, Fiji Bati and Bulikula, Toa Samoa and Fetu Samoa, Mate Ma’a Tonga and Cook Islands Aitu,” the BSP statement said.
“The campaign recognises that success is built through resilience, teamwork and the support of those around us – values shared by rugby league, BSP and the South Pacific community.
BSP Group chief executive officer Mark Robinson said of the campaign: “Rugby league brings people together across the Pacific and the World Cup provides an opportunity to celebrate Pacific pride, while reinforcing our commitment to helping customers achieve their goals and aspirations.”
Robinson said the campaign draws a connection between scoring a try on the field and the personal milestones achieved by customers every day.
“Every customer has their own try to score; whether it is buying a first home, paying school fees, building savings or growing a business. BSP is here to help back our customers.”
The bank said the campaign would also showcase how the tournament would create opportunities for local businesses, entrepreneurs and communities across the region.
“The Rugby League World Cup will create opportunities for communities to connect and the Pacific region to shine on the global stage. BSP is proud to play a role in supporting that progress.”
The campaign’s message, “Backing Every Try, Backing Every Customer”, reflects BSP’s belief that people and communities achieve more when they back one another.
The bank said over the coming months, the campaign would feature customer promotions, merchant activations, community engagement initiatives, staff activities and digital content designed to celebrate Pacific pride and reward customers throughout the Rugby League World Cup journey….PACNEWS
FIJI – FOOTBALL: FBC SPORTS PACNEWS SPORT: Wed 29 Jul 2026
Fiji coaches set for OFC A licence course
SUVA, 29 JULY 2026 (OFC)—Six Fiji football coaches will join their counterparts from across Oceania when the OFC A Licence Coaching Course gets underway at the Fiji FA Academy in Ba.
Representing Fiji are Annabel Rao, Labasa head coach Alvin Chand, Fiji FA Head of Development West Dhirend Chand, Seaqaqa head coach Mohammed Imran, Labasa Women’s coach Roneel Ram and former Ba coach Shalen Lal.
They will be joined by coaches from the Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tahiti.
According to Fiji FA, the prestigious week-long programme will bring together 14 candidates from six Oceania member associations, providing coaches with the opportunity to further develop their technical, tactical and leadership skills under the guidance of experienced OFC coach educators.
Leading the course is OFC Lead Educator Andy Hedge, assisted by educators Sean Douglas and Marika Rodu. The education team is supported by Tracy Cunnington and Sarah Foune in operations, while Benoit Milin and Patrick Kaniki will serve as translators.
Fiji FA Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Yusuf says hosting the course reflects Fiji Football’s commitment to coach education and developing the next generation of elite coaches.
“The OFC A Licence is a significant milestone in the coaching pathway, and we are proud to host this important programme in Fiji”.
It provides our local coaches with the opportunity to learn from some of Oceania’s best coach educators while interacting with their counterparts from across the region.
We are confident the knowledge and experience gained during the course will contribute greatly to the continued growth of football in Fiji.”
The OFC A Licence is one of Oceania’s highest coaching qualifications and plays an important role in raising coaching standards and strengthening player development across the region.
The course will run from 29 July to 4 August 2026….PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY: RUGBY.COM.AU PACNEWS SPORT: Wed 29 Jul 2026
Nathan Lawson returns to Sevens, signs until LA Olympics
SYDNEY, 29 JULY 2026 (RUGBY.COM.AU)—The Australian Men’s Sevens programme has confirmed the return of star Nathan Lawson, signing a two-year deal until the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
Lawson returns after a stint in the NRL with the St George Illawarra Dragons, granted his immediate release.
He will feature as part of the brand-new ‘Ultimate Sevens’ competition, starting in September, before linking up with the Australia team for pre-season.
“We are delighted to see Nathan return to the Rugby Sevens program ahead of an Olympic-qualifying year ahead for the side,” RA Head of High Performance Peter Horne said.
“Nathan is a proven performer on the international stage and his experience will be vital for our squad as we move closer to the LA Games in 2028.”
Lawson debuted for Australia at the rescheduled 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, thrust into the team after injury to Henry Paterson.
The former Australia U20 representative would become a mainstay of the team, scoring 69 tries in 25 events on the World Series.
He would help Australia to its best Olympic finish in 2024, scoring three tries across the tournament as they came in fourth.
It led to Lawson taking out the 2024 Shawn Mackay Award as Men’s Sevens Player of the Year.
The 27-year-old would shift to rugby league from here, debuting in Round 13 last year in a win over Newcastle.
Lawson played four games for the club, returning to the seven-a-side format with a third Olympic appearance on the horizon…PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY LEAGUE: AAP PACNEWS SPORT: Wed 29 Jul 2026
Roosters coach uncertain about injured veteran’s future
SYDNEY, 29 JULY 2026 (AAP)—Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson is unsure whether an injury-interrupted 2026 season will discourage Daniel Tupou from playing on next year.
Robinson expects the veteran winger to make a call on his future in the next “two to three weeks” as he nurses a shoulder injury that will sideline him until round 27.
With 302 appearances to his name, three-time premiership winner Tupou should overtake Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (310) and become the foundation club’s most-capped player if he re-signs for 2027.
But after a mostly fortunate run of fitness across his 15 NRL seasons, Tupou spent two months out with a calf injury earlier in the year before dislocating his shoulder against Newcastle last week.
Robinson suggested on Tuesday the injuries were “innocuous”, but was unsure whether it would factor into the 35-year-old’s deliberations over his future.
“I’m not sure is the answer. I don’t know,” he said.
“Toops is an honest man, he’s quite clear about that and he’s not going to fake it. He’ll make a decision whether he’s ready to go or whether he’s not.
“So, I’m not sure whether that (injury) will shift that last week.
“I’d say it’d be in the next two to three weeks we’ll know where Toops is at and where we’re at.”
The Roosters want to keep Tupou, and no one more so than Robinson.
One of Robinson’s first major selection decisions on joining the Roosters for the 2013 season was to decide on Tupou as the winner of a selection battle with the more-experienced Michael Oldfield.
Tupou went on to become a regular first-grader for the first time under Robinson that year, and is the last player still at the club from the 2013 premiership triumph.
He remains an elite aerial threat on the wing, and is just as valued by Robinson for his leadership.
“There’s guys in the change room that make other guys feel good,” Robinson said.
“We obviously had a few of those guys at different times: Boyd Cordner, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. Toops is one of those where when he’s there you go, ‘OK, I know what he’s going to do now. What are the rest of us going to do?’
“You don’t always get that luxury.”
Journeyman Tommy Talau replaces Tupou on the wing for Thursday’s game against eighth-placed North Queensland.
Queensland prop Lindsay Collins will miss the trip to Townsville, still sidelined with the concussion he suffered against Brisbane on 26 June.
Collins, who has a history of head knocks, has resumed training but not undertake contact work.
“He’s going well, but it’ll be in the next couple of weeks he’ll get back on the field,” Robinson said…. PACNEWS
