In this bulletin:
1. RUGBY LEAGUE — ‘He’s our leader’: Bati hoping for Tui boost as Navale returns
2. RUGBY LEAGUE — Slam dunk: Bula using basketball background to attract U.S fans
3. NETBALL — Fiji Men’s netball eyes Olympic pathway and first World Cup
4. FOOTBALL — Rewa FC complete comeback and clinch semi-final place
5. FOOTBALL — New Caledonia announce squad for FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026
6. FOOTBALL — Auckland City FC stage dramatic comeback to top Group A
7. FOOTBALL — Central Coast FC Secure Semi-Final Spot Against Galaxy FC
8. FOOTBALL — Medina the man again for Galaxy as they make it three wins from three
9. RUGBY — South Africa edge Fijiana 29 – 22
10. RUGBY — Wallabies crack fifty over Brave Blossoms after dominant second half in Townsville
11. RUGBY — All Blacks selection pressure builds after demolition of the Bulls
12. SURFING — From Tel Aviv to Tahiti, but teen ends dream WSL run
PAC – RUGBY LEAGUE: NRL PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 17 Aug 2026
‘He’s our leader’: Bati hoping for Tui boost as Navale returns
SYDNEY, 17 AUGUST 2026 (NRL)—Viliame Kikau remains hopeful that inspirational Bati captain Tui Kamikamica will be cleared to lead Fiji at RLWC26, while secondrower Caleb Navale is also set to play after making a rapid recovery from an ACL injury.
Kamikamica has not played since the Storm’s Round 4 NRL match against the Cowboys on March 28 after suffering a stroke that left him left him temporarily unable to speak or move.
The Fijian prop underwent brain and heart surgery but he has recovered and is currently touring the Papua New Guinea Highlands with former Storm team-mate and Kumuls great Justin Olam.
Kamikamica initially hoped to be back mid-season but suffered a set-back and has not played match this year.
However, the 32-year-old is still aiming to play at the World Cup and Navale is set to join him after making his comeback in Manly’s 18-12 NSW Cup loss to the Warriors on Saturday.
Returning just six months and three days after rupturing his ACL at pre-season training on February 11, Navale’s recovery is believed to be the quickest in NRL history.
Kikau said Bati players are hoping for the chance to play alongside Kamikamica in Fiji’s matches against Cook Islands in Newcastle on October 18, Australia in Townsville on October 25 and New Zealand on Gold Coast on October 31.
“He means a lot, he’s captained the side and if he plays he’s probably going to be the captain again,” said Kikau, the Bulldogs strike secondrower.
“The boys love how he leads – he leads with his actions – and he’s one of probably only two or three of us who were born and bred and raised in Fiji and didn’t come to Australia until we were 18 or 19.
“It is obviously unfortunate what happened to him this year but if he is fit and ready I’d love to see him play at the World Cup.”
Hooker Api Koroisau, who is one of up to seven Wests Tigers players with Fijian heritage, recently told Nine’s Freddy and the Eighth show: “There is a chance that Tui might play at the end of the year and Caleb Navale as well. He is coming back from an ACL in record time so we’re very excited”.
Wests Tigers team-mates Sunia Turuva and Jahream Bula said the Bati players remain in close contact during the season and were in shock when they learned that Kamikamica had suffered a stroke.
“He is our skipper and I remember as soon as it happened, Jahream was the first person I called,” Turuva said.
“It is obviously unfortunate what happened to him and just to see what he went through, it would have been pretty crazy for his partner and his kid as well.
“He is definitely our leader, and we have a couple of big dogs there with Api and Kiks and Maika Sivo, as well so hopefully he can get back because we believe we can do things in this World Cup like Samoa and Tonga have done.”
Kamikamica has played 23 Tests for Fiji and 142 NRL matches for the Storm and Bula said he was a role model for younger players in the Bati camp.
“He is a good bloke, like you can hang out with him and he will take you under his wing,” Bula said.
“For me, just seeing what he is like off the field, he is someone I definitely look up to. He is very professional, he is always stretching every time you go into the team room, he doesn’t eat bad, he looks after his body, so he practices what he preaches,” he said….PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY LEAGUE: NRL PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 17 Aug 2026
Slam dunk: Bula using basketball background to attract U.S fans
SYDNEY, 17 AUGUST 2026 (NRL)– -Wests Tigers fullback Jahream Bula is set to lean on his background as a star basketballer to connect with US audiences leading into next year’s Las Vegas season opener.
A talented basketballer growing up, the skilful No.1 initially pursued his dream of playing in the NBA before ultimately returning to rugby league to chase an NRL debut.
Bula is excited to combine his two passions throughout the next six months as the Tigers build towards their 2027 season opener at Allegiant Stadium.
Having attended a New York Knicks game last off-season, the fullback is confident he is well placed to combine the American basketball spectacle with the physicality and skill of rugby league.
“My wife and I went to a Knicks game in New York,” Bula said. “It was crazy, it was a regular season game but it felt like a grand final.
“The Americans will enjoy the physicality of rugby league. It’s similar to the NFL but it’s not as stop-start. There’s a lot of athletic people in our game, just like there are in their game as well.
“With the competitiveness of the NRL, they’re very competitive over there so they will enjoy our game”
Parramatta and the Titans will also do battle, while Super League clubs Bradford and Leigh will face off in the opening match of a rugby league extravaganza.
The event continues to generate significant interest from fans in Australia, the UK and USA and travel packages have been popular with supporters since going on sale earlier this year.
The triple-header marks the fourth time the NRL has taken over Las Vegas, with each successive year building on the previous one.
Next season promises to be the biggest yet as Australian and English fans descend on the entertainment capital and Americans become increasingly familiar with rugby league.
Bula admits some jealousy watching the Allegiant Stadium extravaganza throughout the past few years and he’s determined to make the most of the Tigers chance to play in Vegas.
“I love how they build up into it [during the week] and with the Super League game and NRL games,” Bula said. “We’ve all been watching the past few years and it’s something I’ve wanted to do.
“Seeing all those English fans descend on Vegas for the Super League game is pretty crazy. The fans are pretty crazy over there so hopefully it’ll be crazy next year as well.”
The match is a passing of the torch after St George Illawarra travelled to Vegas this year.
While the Tigers have dropped out of finals contention, they are determined to build momentum leading into next year’s season opener before using the experience to jumpstart a successful 2027.
“It’s a big chance to use the game as a launch pad for the 2027 season,” Bula said. “It will be big for us because in the past few years we haven’t been starting off too well.
“Hopefully we can go over there, do a job and come back with a win. We want to enjoy the experience and soak it up as much as we can because it’s not going to last long but we understand we’re there to do a job,” he said…. PACNEWS
FIJI – NETBALL: FBC SPORTS PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 17 Aug 2026
Fiji Men’s netball eyes Olympic pathway and first World Cup
SUVA, 17 AUGUST 2026 (FBC SPORTS)—With netball pushing for inclusion at the Olympic Games and the inaugural Men’s Netball World Cup on the horizon, the MPaisa Central Rally is providing an important platform for the continued development of men’s netball in the country.
Suva men’s head coach Myron Williams believes competitions such as this can play a key role in building a stronger pathway for men’s netball, both domestically and internationally.
Williams says the push for Olympic inclusion must go hand in hand with greater opportunities for men, with the sport looking to address the gender imbalance at international level.
“For netball to make the Olympic Games, men need to be included.”
He believes Fiji’s continued investment in men’s competitions can help strengthen the game at home while preparing players for opportunities at regional and international level.
The inaugural Men’s Netball World Cup, scheduled for 2028, is another major target, with Williams stressing the importance of giving players regular opportunities to compete.
“The Men’s World Cup is happening in two years’ time as well, so all this preparation that Netball Fiji is doing, these platforms for us to compete at, it is very important for netball.”
Suva enters the MPaisa Central Rally as the team to beat, currently holding both the Open Men’s and Under-23 titles.
Williams says defending those titles remains the immediate goal, with the team focusing on its attacking structures, patience in possession and maintaining a high standard of structured netball.
But the competition is becoming increasingly difficult, with associations across Fiji continuing to develop their men’s programmes.
The inclusion of secondary school players has added another dimension to the tournament, with Suva also fielding schoolboys alongside its senior players.
For Williams, that blend is an encouraging sign of the direction men’s netball is heading.
“The quality of netball grows year after year.”
Although Suva’s players are based in different parts of Fiji and have not been able to train together consistently, Williams says being in the middle of their domestic season has helped with their preparation.
For now, Suva’s focus is on retaining its titles at the MPaisa Central Rally.
But for Williams, the bigger picture is clear — a stronger men’s game in Fiji could be an important step towards netball’s Olympic ambitions and the country’s future presence at the Men’s Netball World Cup….PACNEWS
PAC – FOOTBALL: OFC PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 17 Aug 2026
Rewa FC complete comeback and clinch semi-final place
BA, 17 AUGUST 2026 (OFC)—Rewa FC came from 1-0 down to defeat Lae City FC and book their place in the semi-finals of the OFC Men’s Champions League, in an entertaining tussle in Ba.
By virtue of their superior goal difference, the Papua New Guinea side knew a draw would be enough for them to progress, with Rewa needing all three points to keep their campaign alive on home soil.
Unsurprisingly then, it was the hosts who began with more intent, pinning their opponents deep in their own half. New Caledonia international Joseph Athale had the first real effort of the match – his dipping effort causing Ronald Warisan to scramble as the goalkeeper watched it fly narrowly over the bar.
It was completely against the run of play when the opener did come. Lae City, who were struggling to break out of their own end, managed to catch Rewa on the counter, with an excellent run by Solomon Kamake. The forward beat two men before the ball sprang loose to the supporting Raphael Rudolph who drove a low effort through a thicket of bodies and into the net.
Rewa responded well, with Josaia Sela heading wide from an excellent Ramzan Khan cross, before Athale dragged an effort wide that he perhaps should have done better with.
Kamake had a similar chance shortly after and, much like Athale, could only hook his low shot wide of the far post, as Lae City again looked to threaten on the transition.
Player/Coach Tevita Waranaivalu was desperate for his side to get back into the contest and they would find a crucial equaliser in first-half stoppage-time. Captain Kavaia Rawaqa was fed by Delon Shankar, before the midfielder pivoted onto his left foot and drilled an excellent effort from distance past Warisan, going in off the inside of the post to make it 1-1 heading into the break.
Valentine Nelson made one change to his Lae City side for the second-half, removing goalscorer Rudolph and bringing on Nalau Moses.
Just seven minutes were on the clock in the second period when Rewa completed their comeback and took the lead for the first time.
Joseph Athale was found by a cross from the left by Waranaivalu, whose first-time pass was almost met by Josaia Sela – the ball breaking to Merrill Nand, whose low effort somehow found its way through a number of bodies, beating Warisan to make it 2-1.
The Fijian side appeared content to try and sit on what they had – getting deeper and deeper as Lae City began to dominate possession. Rewa however, did continually look threatening on the counter-attack as the game began to stretch.
Lae City by contrast were struggling to create anything in the way of clear cut chances. Their efforts to find a crucial equaliser hampered when Charles Hayes picked up an injury late on, having to be replaced by Ricky Nathan.
The Papua New Guinea side would have one final chance to score that all important goal deep into stoppage-time. Substitute Smith Yonny breaking down the left, cutting inside and rifling an effort that thudded off the underside of the crossbar and away.
Solomon Kamake was shown a red card in the immediate aftermath for a second bookable offence, but the decision was swiftly rescinded by referee Ben Aukwai, upon clarification that it was Kamake’s first yellow card of the match.
Rewa held on and secured the win they needed to advance to the semi-finals, to be played on Wednesday at the same venue, against the winner of Group A.
Rewa FC: 2 (Kavaia RAWAQA 45+1′, Merrill NAND 52′)
Lae City FC: 1 (Raphael RUDOLPH 15′)
HT: 1-1..PACNEWS
NEW|CALE – FOOTBALL: OFC PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 17 Aug 2026
New Caledonia announce squad for FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026
NOUMEA, 17 AUGUST 2026 (OFC)—New Caledonia have announced their squad ahead of next month’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, as the nation prepares to make their tournament debut.
Léon Waitronyie’s side qualified virtue of their excellent performance at last year’s OFC U-19 Women’s Championship, where they made the final, losing 3-0 to champions New Zealand.
With their men’s side having made their FIFA U-20 World Cup bow last year, the women’s team’s presence in Poland is another example of the excellent development being made by New Caledonian football.
They will face a considerable challenge however, having been drawn in Group F, alongside 2022 winners Spain, two-time runners-up Nigeria and two-times runners-up China, who they kick-off their campaign against in Sosnowiec on September 7.
Goalkeepers
Elisabeth Aben
Muneiko Waheo
Kelia Golitin
Defenders
Louane Poccoue
Leana Hmae
Valerie Ngazo
Alesie Adjou
Kamen Lorenda Simane
Kenza Kenon
Emmanuelle Buama
Shirley Wenessia
Midfielders
Kheimera Gondou
Matha Bako
Cecilia Waheo
Deyanera Michel
Forwards
Julia Honakoko
Joyce-Rose Angexetine
Jocelyne Kourevi
Kane Dralue
Aziliz Naaoutchoue…PACNEWS
PAC – FOOTBALL: OFC PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 17 Aug 2026
Auckland City FC stage dramatic comeback to top Group A
BA, 17 AUGUST 2026 (OFC)—13 times champions Auckland City FC have staged a dramatic late comeback to defeat AS Venus 4-3 in a thrilling Group A finale, securing top spot and a semi-final match up against Fiji’s Rewa FC on Wednesday in Ba.
Auckland City FC needed just a draw to finish top of Group A, while the tahitian side were playing for pride after losing their first two Group games.
AS Venus made the perfect start, opening the scoring in the sixth minute. Captain Roonui Tehau picked out Moeava Kaiha with a superb through ball from halfway, with the forward making a run beyond the Auckland City defence before calmly finding the back of the net.
20 minutes later and AS Venus doubled their advantage when Germain Haewegene raced down the wing before cutting the ball back into the penalty area, where Mathis Lacan slotted a composed finish into the bottom-right corner.
Auckland City FC hadn’t lost in the OFC Men’s Champions League since the 2019 semi-finals and they had to use all their expereince to claw their way back.
AS Venus continued to frustrate the reigning champions, applying pressure across the pitch and making it difficult for Auckland City to play their usual possession game.
But just before the break Auckland City found a way back into the contest. Substitute Michal Doudera cut inside before unleashing a powerful left footed strike from outside the box into the bottom corner. It was a crucial strike on the cusp of half-time and the New Zealanders went into the break with renewed confidence.
Nine minutes after the re-start Auckland City were back on level terms. Tom Golding’s corner presented an aerial opportunity for defender Christian Gray, who rose above his marker and headed the ball over the advancing AS Venus keeper.
Auckland City pressed forward but a lapse in the defence saw Venus restore their lead in the 77th minute when Haewegene broke clear and calmly slotted the ball past the advancing Matt Foord in the Auckland goal. The third goal conceded marked the first time since 2013, against another Tahitian side AS Dragon, that Auckland City had conceded three goals in an OFC Men’s Champion s League match.
But the champions showed their mettle and responded once again, with Ryan Watson finding the equaliser in the 84th minute after taking advantage of a cross from the right.
Then, in the first minute of added time, Matt Ellis completed the comeback. A long ball found its way through the AS Venus defence, with Ellis getting beyond the final defenders before firing a stinging shot just under replacement goalkeeper Herehau Reichart.
AS Venus: 3 (Moeava KAIHA 6′, Mathis LACAN 26′, Germain HAEWEGENE 77′)
Auckland City FC: 4 (Michal DOUDERA 45+4′, Christian GRAY 54′, Ryan WATSON 84′, Matt ELLIS 90+1′)
HT: 2-1…PACNEWS
PAC – FOOTBALL: OFC PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 17 Aug 2026
Central Coast FC Secure Semi-Final Spot Against Galaxy FC
BA, 17 AUGUST 2026 (OFC)—Central Coast FC have secured their place in the semi-finals of the OFC Men’s Champions League 2026 with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over AS Tiga Sport, ending the New Caledonian side’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals for a second straightyear.
With Central Coast knowing a draw would be enough to progress to a match up with Group B winners Galaxy FC of Vanuatu, while Tiga needed all three points, it was the Solomon Islands side who started with greater urgency, creating several opportunities inside the opening 10 minutes, but were unable to find the breakthrough.
That breakthrough instead came in the 15th minute. Central Coast captain Javin Wae stepped up to take a free kick, sending a low curling strike into the bottom right corner to give his side a 1-0 lead. The opening goal settled any nerves the Solomon Islanders might have had.
Bobby Leslie and Rafa Lea’i were a constant threat up front for Central Coast, combining well in attack and forcing AS Tiga’s defensive line to remain alert.
AS Tiga Sport continued to search for an equaliser, with Pierre Iekawe making a dangerous break forward before being met by a resolute Central Coast defence. Despite creating numerous half chances, the New Caledonian side struggled in the final third to really trouble Central Coast FC goalkeeper Erick Wanega.
AS Tiga made four substitutions early in the second half as they looked to spark something in attack. Kn owing they had to score at least twice Leo Lopez’s side started taking risks and left themselves exposed defensively. However despite creating several goal scoring chances from open play, wasteful finishing prevented the Solomon Islanders from putting that game to bed.
Rafa Lea’i almost doubled the advantage when he latched onto a pass from Bobby Leslie, raced into space and struck towards goal, only for goalkeeper Thomas Schmidt to produce an outstanding save.
Central Coast finally put the result beyond doubt in the 72nd minute when from a corner Lea’i delivered a dangerous corner to the back post, where Marlon Tahioa rose highest and headed the ball down into the bottom-left corner to make it 2-0.
The result sees Central Coast return to the semi-finals for the first time since 2022, when they were beaten 2-0 by Auckland City, while AS Tiga’s campaign ends in the Group stage.
AS Tiga Sport: 0
Central Coast FC: 2 (Javin WAE 15′, Marlon TAHIOA 72′)
HT: 0-1…PACNEWS
PAC – FOOTBALL: OFC PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 17 Aug 2026
Medina the man again for Galaxy as they make it three wins from three
BA, 17 AUGUST 2026 (OFC)—Galaxy FC will head into the semi-finals of the OFC Men’s Champions League with a perfect record, having signed off their group stage campaign with a dominant victory over Tupapa Maraerenga FC in Ba.
Willian Dos Santos Medina was the star, scoring an unprecedented third hat-trick in three matches, proving too much for the Tupapa backline.
The Cook Islands’ side were playing for pride having lost their opening two matches but acquitted themselves well in the early stages, with their well-organised backline frustrating Galaxy FC.
Brazilian Roberson Dos Santos Ribiero almost opened the scoring inside the opening quarter of an hour. The captain with space just inside the area but his curled effort crashed off the woodwork.
His compatriot Medina had an effort shortly after but his shot was well parried by goalkeeper Tahiri Elikana.
Tupapa tried in vein to work the ball further up the field, with the pace of Tremaine Rimene-Albrett their likeliest outlet. The forward however was becoming increasingly isolated as his team dropped deeper and deeper to try and stem the tide of Galaxy attacks.
Minutes before the end of the half, the Vanuatu side had a deserved second. Joe Moses – who was a constant threat down the left-hand side – picked up a loose ball from a cross, driving a low effort on the angle that squirmed under the body of Elikana and into the net.
Tupapa would have had aspirations of turning the tide in the second-half but any hopes of a comeback were well and truly extinguished inside the opening minutes after the break.
Medina – who had six goals from his first two outings – made it seven for the campaign, meeting a near post cross from Selwyn Vatu and glancing his header into the far corner.
A minute later and Ribiero got a fourth. Linking with Medina before expertly guiding his low effort into the far corner beyond the grasp of Elikana to make it 4-0 and put the game to bed.
Medina was in the mood for more and grabbed his second in the 55th minutes. The pacey forward racing onto a long ball over the top from substitute Armando Ravo, before lifting a clever effort over Elikana and into the back of the net.
Tupapa continued to work hard however and came within inches of pulling back a consolation. Honoura Maraetefau with great work to hold off his marker when isolated, turning him inside and out before firing an effort that thudded off the crossbar.
Medina however was more clinical and completed his hat-trick shortly after – an incredible third in three games. The Brazilian forward with a neat turn, and after his initial effort was saved superbly by Elikana, the ball fell back to the striker and he wouldn’t be denied at the second chance.
There was still time for a late consolation from Tupapa and it deservedly came from Rimene-Albrett. The forward curling an excellent free-kick into the corner, past substitute goalkeeper Joshua Willie to give the Cook Islanders some late cheer.
The final say however came from Galaxy, with Moses again to the fore, setting up Michel Soksok to fire into the back of the net from just inside the box.
Tupapa Maraerenga FC: 1 (Tremaine RIMENE-ALBRETT 88′)
Galaxy FC: 7 (Own Goal 25′, Jose MOSES 41′, Willian DOS SANTOS MEDINA 47′, 55′ 70′, Roberson DOS SANTOS RIBIERO 49′, Michel SOKSOK 90+1′).
HT: 0-2…PACNEWS
FIJI – RUGBY: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 17 Aug 2026
South Africa edge Fijiana 29 – 22
LAUTOKA, 17 AUGUST 2026 (FIJI TIMES)—South Africa Women XV held their nerve to secure a close 29-22 victory over the Vodafone Fijiana XV in the second Test at Churchill Park in Lautoka on Saturday.
The Fijiana XV made a strong start and took control of the first half, executing their game plan well to lead 10-5 at the break.
Atelaite Buna and Adi Vani Buleki crossed the tryline for Fiji, while South Africa managed just one try through hooker Lindelwa Gwala.
However, South Africa returned from the break with tactical changes that helped turn the momentum in their favour.
Winger Maria Tshiremba proved the difference, scoring a hat-trick as the visitors fought their way back into the contest.
Tshiremba scored twice in the second half, with one conversion, as South Africa levelled the scores at 17-17 after 60 minutes.
Fijiana responded through Salote Nailolo, with Varanisese Qoro adding the conversion to keep the home side in the contest.
South Africa then regained the lead when Vainah Ubisi crossed for their fourth try, which was converted by fullback Byrhandre Dolf.
The Fijiana refused to give up and continued to attack, with Ivamere Nabura scoring their fourth try in the 74th minute.
Qoro was unable to convert, leaving the match still within reach for South Africa.
Tshiremba then completed her hat-trick in the 78th minute, scoring South Africa’s fifth try to seal the 29-22 victory.
South Africa captain Babalwa Latsha thanked the Fijian supporters for their strong backing of women’s rugby.
“Vinaka to all the Fijian fans supporting women’s rugby. We appreciate you all.”
Fijiana XV captain Kolora Lomani also thanked the supporters who turned up in numbers despite the result.
“We thank the man above. Even though we didn’t get the result, we thank our fans for coming out in numbers and also thank South Africa for coming to play with us.”…PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY: RUGBY.COM.AU PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 17 Aug 2026
Wallabies crack fifty over Brave Blossoms after dominant second half in Townsville
TOWNNSVILLE, 17 AUGUST 2026 (RUGBY.COM.AU)—The Wallabies delivered some fun in the sun in Townsville, weathering a tough first half armwrestle from Japan to score five tries in the second half and run out 56-17 winners.
In front of 18,076 fans at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, the men in gold put on an attacking masterclass to start the Les Kiss era on home soil in style, the fairytale capped off with a try on debut to Wallaby #1000, Massimo De Lutiis.
“Test rugby, sometimes it takes a while to break a game down,” coach Les Kiss said post match.
“We had a chat at half time about how we better manage our kicking game, our work on and off the ball, just a little bit of those areas where we gave them a bit of scope to be able to play their quite fast and curious game but we were cool and calm and collected to a degree at half-time.
“We just made sure we got the right things right shifting the game in the second half into managing field position better.”
Similar to last week, the first half was played at a frenetic pace, the Wallabies handling the early pressure before a break from Isaac Henry saw the hosts strike from deep, with Josh Nasser burrowing over for the opening try in the sixth minute.
The Brave Blossoms persisted, however, with Harry Hockings responding six minutes later, charging down a Ryan Lonergan clearance to give the visitors their first of the afternoon.
Japan asked plenty of questions of the Wallaby defence, with brilliant work off the boot finding space behind the hosts’ line, Ryunosuke Ito continuing his excellent form at flyhalf from last week.
However, turning to brute force proved fruitful for the hosts with Taniela Tupou barging over in the 17th minute to see the score 14-5 inside the first 20 minutes.
Japan’s work on the Wallaby defence was rewarded in the 25th minute, with Naoto Saito catching the hosts napping to score and bring the margin back to two points.
With momentum on their side, Japan hounded the Wallaby line and then took the lead for the first time in the 33rd minute, as Dylan Riley bashed his way over the line to give the visitors a three-point lead, the Brave Blossoms punishing some passive moments in the hosts’ defence.
However, a second try to Tupou at halftime proved critical for the hosts, heading into the break with a slim 21-17 lead.
As Massimo De Lutiis made history as the 1000th Wallaby, the hosts came out firing in the second half, as Angus Bell gave the Townsville fans a fond reminder of last year’s match winner with a try in the 51st minute to extend the margin to 11 points.
Buoyed by several strong steals from Carlo Tizzano and Jeremy Williams, Carter Gordon, who had been threatening all match, cut the Japanese line to threads in the 58th minute, and in a fairytale debut, the pass to De Lutiis saw the prop power over the line, the highlight of the afternoon.
The visitors finally got the chance to attack in Wallaby territory on the hour mark, but the hosts’ defence had learnt their lessons in the break, with Paenga-Amosa joining in on making it a tough afternoon for Japan at the ruck.
McReight coming on from the bench only made things more difficult at ruck time, and as the final ten minutes ticked over, the Australian set piece was rewarded for a dominant afternoon, a shove off the scrum seeing Charlie Cale grab Australia’s sixth.
Wilson joined the party off the restart in the 76th minute, a strike from deep seeing the captain barge over for Australia’s seventh, the fans applauding the try as Japanese hooker Mamoru Harada was sent to the bin.
As the final minutes ticked down, Donaldson, McReight and Daugunu broke the line from deep, and as the siren sounded, a tap-and-go after repeated penalties saw Paenga-Amosa rewarded for a strong second half with the hosts’ final try, cracking 50 points.
The result sees the hosts maintain their perfect record in Townsville, sending a big statement of intent ahead of their tour to Argentina.
“They won the air, they won three kicks down the right-hand side, won the breakdown, so that’s about 11 positions,” Japan coach Eddie Jones reflected.
“You get that weight of positions, we weren’t good enough to defend our errors. when you make errors like that, you’ve got to be good enough to defend them.
“It was just a pressure of position and congratulations to Australia. They played well in the second half,” he said.
Wallabies 56 (Tries: Nasser, Tupou 2, Bell, De Lutiis, Cale, Wilson, Paenga-Amosa. Cons: Lonergan 5/5, Donaldson 3/3) def Japan 17 (Tries: Hockings, Saito, Riley. Cons: Matsunaga 1/3) …PACNEWS
S/AFRICA – RUGBY: PMN PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 17 Aug 2026
All Blacks selection pressure builds after demolition of the Bulls
PRETORIA, 17 AUGUST 2026 (PMN)—The All Blacks have given coach Dave Rennie a selection headache heading into their first Test against the Springboks in South Africa.
This comes as several players are making strong claims following New Zealand’s 50-19 demolition of the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria early on Sunday.
Rennie rested and rotated his squad again for the third match of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour but the performances have made some decisions harder ahead of next weekend’s Test at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
“It certainly wasn’t our test side tonight, there will be a number of changes but there were some really good performances that will put pressure on us from a selection point of view,” Rennie told a media conference.
“We’ve got a plan around selection, and there was a handful of positions that were going to be decided based off tonight’s performance.”
The All Blacks have now won all three matches on tour. But the Bulls provided a different test as Rennie’s side lifted their performance at set-piece time and showed more discipline.
“I thought our set-piece was really strong, especially the scrum. I thought from a discipline point of view a lot better tonight.
“We created so many opportunities… probably left a few points out there which is a little frustrating, but can’t fault the effort.”
The All Blacks won 92 per cent of their lineouts and were perfect at scrum time, a big step up from their 80 per cent scrum success against the Sharks.
Captain Codie Taylor says the forward pack is building nicely but knows the challenge will rise sharply against the Springboks.
“I’m sure they’re going to be asking a lot more questions come next week, from where we started with the Stormers and build our way through these club games I feel like we’ve made some great strides as a forward pack,” Codie told journalists after the Bulls match.
“By no means are we the finished product, there’s going to be so much more we can work on and it’s going to be even tougher come next week. But we can be really happy and confident with the steps we’re making.”
The Bulls win also comes with the arrival of several key players who were not involved in the match.
All Blacks captain Ardie Savea arrived in camp earlier in the week after taking time away to reset.
Richie Mo’unga has also joined the squad after being called in following winger Caleb Clarke’s shoulder injury.
Mo’unga had been playing for Canterbury in the National Provincial Championship.
That gives Rennie more options as the All Blacks prepare for the step up to Test rugby.
The focus now turns to Ellis Park where the All Blacks will face a Springboks side that will provide a far greater test of the improvements made during their tour.
For Rennie, the Bulls performance has done exactly what he wanted. It has created genuine competition for places when the stakes are about to get much higher……PACNEWS
PAC – SURFING: AAP/REUTERS PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 17 Aug 2026
From Tel Aviv to Tahiti, but teen ends dream WSL run
PAPE’ETE, 17 AUGUST 2026 (AAP/REUTERS) —Canada’s teenage star Erin Brooks has come from the clouds to deny Israel’s Anat Lelior in a brilliant Tahiti Pro final, before Seth Moniz sealed an emotional first top-level World Surf League title.
Teahupo’o’s famous break delivered a memorable final day that looked to be Lelior’s when the Tel Aviv rookie, who learnt to surf on tiny waves in the Mediterranean Sea, shot to a commanding lead.
But, after Lelior had spat out 8.33 and 8-point rides, 19-year-old Texas-born Brooks, who competes for Canada, lifted.
She mustered an 8.27 and then, with the clock counting down, found a heat-best 8.93-point tube to win 17.20 to 16.33.
Victory shot Brooks seven places up the rankings to 11th, with six events remaining.
“The season has been really hard and I’ve lost out on every second round, every event,” she said.
“So to have a win gives me so much more confidence because I was almost doubting myself.
“The girls have gotten so much better and I was really bummed on my results. But I’m happy with this one.””
Moniz was masterful on the way to the biggest moment of his career, albeit in waves slightly smaller than the monsters Kelly Slater had slayed earlier in the competition.
He made his move halfway through the heat against Californian Griffin Colapinto, charging down into a gaping cavern on his backhand, squeezing out at the last second and riding into a screaming, splashing crowd of spectators watching from the channel.
The 9.07 score and an earlier excellent wave looked to be enough for the win as Colapinto tried to better his pair of seven-point rides.
But Moniz had more to come as the finishing hooter sounded, snaring a near replica deep barrel for a 9.10 and a massive two-wave total of 18.17 out of a possible 20.
“This whole week has been surreal. I’ve had this crazy momentum every time, just in perfect sync with the ocean,” the 28-year-old Hawaiian said after his win.
“Surfing is such a hard sport, and only one guy wins every time. I put so much work into this and it finally paid off.”
Colapinto had edged out Australian Jack Robinson in the quarter-final, after he had ended Slater’s run a round earlier.
Ethan Ewing also reached the quarter-final stage while Brooks beat both Molly Picklum and Isabella Nichols to reach the decider….PACNEWS
