In this bulletin:
1. RUGBY LEAGUE — Saifiti boosts Fiji Bati forward depth for World Cup
2. RUGBY LEAGUE — ‘Freak’ Nawaqanitawase catches Wallabies’ eyes before Rugby return
3. RUGBY LEAGUE — PM XIII losses expose PNG’s rugby league development gap: PM Marape
4. RUGBY LEAGUE — Yeo makes World Cup call, Walker earns Kangaroos spot
5. RUGBY — New Flying Fijians Head Coach to be announced early next week
6. FOOTBALL — Kiribati ready for historic FMF IDC debut
7. RUGBY — Fiji deaf rugby teams need up to $70K for Japan world championship
8. YOUTH OLYMPICS — Khelan and Croker selected as Fiji flag bearers at Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games
9. ONOC — Kiribati safeguarding pilot informs course rollout across Oceania
10. SNOOKER — Fiji makes cuesports debut
11. ONOC — ONOC President strengthens international partnerships and opportunities for Oceania at Asian Games
12. RUGBY/RUGBY LEAGUE — Can the Chiefs of rugby union and rugby league co-exist?
PAC – RUGBY LEAGUE: AAP PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 06 Oct 2026
Saifiti boosts Fiji Bati forward depth for World Cup
SYDNEY, 06 OCTOBER 2026 (AAP)—The run to the grand final by Newcastle has set prop Jacob Saifiti free to play the World Cup opener for Fiji in a huge boost to the Bati.
Saifiti was named in the Mick Potter coached 23-man squad by Fiji, leaked on social media, which will be ticked off pending eligibility and integrity clearances.
The squad the Bati have named includes several NRL stars but the presence of Saifiti will be vital in the round one clash with Cook Islands in Newcastle on 18 October.
Saifiti, who played the most recent of his seven Tests for Fiji at the 2017 World Cup, was hit with a four-match ban for a high shot on Warriors winger Luke Laulilii in the 46-32 loss to the Warriors in round 26.
The Knights had the bye in the final round but the fact they played all four finals means Saifiti has now served his suspension.
The unavailability of star forwards Tui Kamikamica (illness) and Viliame Kikau (ankle) respectively has made veteran NSW prop Saifiti even more of a vital inclusion.
Dolphins utility Kurt Donoghoe, the RLPA bench player of the year, has been named and can play either lock or in the halves.
Wests Tigers flyer Sunia Turuva and co-captain Api Koroisau provide big game experience and flair.
Turuva could well play fullback due to Tigers teammate Jahream Bula missing the tournament due to post-season shoulder surgery.
The Bati have been top performers at the World Cup and reached the semi-finals in 2008, 2013 and 2017 only to be knocked out by Australia on each occasion.
FIJI: Bayleigh Bentley-Hape, Waqa Blake, Kurt Donoghoe, Apenisa Driti, Kitione Kautoga, Elijah Keung, Apisai Koroisau, Josese Lanyon, Jordan Leiu, Joseph Litidamu, Kylan Mafoa, Taane Milne, Caleb Navale, Jimmy Ngutlik, Ronald Philitoga, Mitchell Prest, Emosi Ravosai, Jacob Saifiti, Solomone Saukuru, Sunia Turuva, Brandon Wakeham, Jordan Miller. …PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY LEAGUE: AAP PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 06 Oct 2026
‘Freak’ Nawaqanitawase catches Wallabies’ eyes before Rugby return
SYDNEY, 06 OCTOBER 2026 (AAP)—After marvelling at Mark Nawaqanitawase’s sparkling NRL grand final display, the Wallabies are adamant that he’ll help bring out the best in their team once he re-enters the rugby union fray.
The acrobatic winger scored two dazzling tries and chalked up 237 metres to help the Roosters claim a gutsy 19-18 victory against Newcastle on Sunday night.
The premiership added another jewel in the crown of Nawaqanitawase’s remarkable rugby league stint, in which he won a State of Origin series, represented Australia and was named a Dally M Winger of the Year in 2025.
Once the Tricolours celebrations end, the 26-year-old will return to the 15-man code and play for Japanese side Saitama Wild Knights.
He’ll be eyeing a Wallabies call-up ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup, although he faces tough competition from the side’s star-studded outside backs.
But prop Allan Alaalatoa, who was at the Wallabies grand final watch party in Auckland, said the Roosters star would be a “massive” addition to the code regardless of his Test status.
“He’s just been a freak. What he’s done in the last two years in league is probably unheard of,” Alaalatoa told reporters on Monday.
“When you’re adding that type of player into the squad, it automatically lifts the group, especially the boys who are in your same position.
“He will just naturally start demanding more from other people because of the type of competition that’s in the squad, and that only adds health to the group.”
Alaalatoa gushed over the 26-year-old’s aerial ability before adding that his win boosted the morale of the group as his Wallabies friends were happy to see him succeed.
The lifting of spirits come as the side is focused on producing a major upset in the first Bledisloe Cup Test at Eden Park on Saturday.
To add fuel to the Australians’ bitter fire, All Blacks mentor David Rennie will be coaching his first game against the Wallabies since he was sensationally axed from the Australian head coach role less than a year before the 2023 World Cup.
Rennie’s reunion is particularly special for Alaalatoa, considering he was one of the captains under his reign.
“He’s definitely got a lot of respect from a lot of the players in this environment,” the prop said.
“He debuted a large number of the boys that are playing now, who now have 20,30-odd caps.
“But like every game, you put that aside for 80 minutes … and then you probably take a moment to share a beer with him after.”
Riding high on a five-Test unbeaten streak, the Wallabies will be looking to continue their momentum as they aim to beat the Kiwis at Eden Park for the first time since 1986.
With only two matches in the series, Australia also know they must win on Saturday if they are to have a chance of securing their first Bledisloe Cup since 2002. …PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY LEAGUE: AAP PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 06 Oct 2026
Yeo makes World Cup call, Walker earns Kangaroos spot
SYDNEY, 06 OCTOBER 2026 (AAP)—Isaah Yeo will delay pectoral surgery to captain Australia’s Rugby League World Cup campaign, after coach Kevin Walters unveiled a 23-man squad that includes Sydney Roosters halfback Sam Walker.
One of six debutants in the squad, Walker will be locked in a four-way battle with Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden and Mitchell Moses for a spot in the Kangaroos’ halves.
Walker is one of three Roosters premiership winners included, along with Clive Churchill medallist James Tedesco and prop Lindsay Collins.
Tedesco would have been a candidate to regain the Australian captaincy were it not for the fact Yeo has decided to delay going under the knife.
The Penrith lock played through the pain of a torn pec on his side’s run to the preliminary final loss to Newcastle, and will lead the Kangaroos out in their group stage opener against New Zealand on 16 October.
“There’s no higher honour in the game than playing for your country … my plan all along was if I got back for Penrith and it was travelling alright then I’d leave myself open for selection,” Yeo said on Monday.
“I needed the club to allow me to because it (playing the World Cup) will probably push (my return) into the start of next season.
“I’ve been up front and honest with Kevvie and it’s feeling good and I would only put my hand up if I thought I could contribute and perform at the level that’s needed for our country.”
Among the more notable inclusions in Walters’ squad are the returns of Tom Trbojevic and Latrell Mitchell, both of whom were denied further international caps by injury problems in recent seasons.
Mitchell’s South Sydney teammate David Fifita is also in line for his first Australian jersey after previously playing for Tonga at Test level.
But the battles for a halves berth will provide the most intriguing narrative with Moses and Munster down on form in 2026 and Walker excelling for Queensland and the Roosters.
“That’s the beauty of the Australian team is we have got some great options, and there’s no right or wrong with who we select,” Walters said.
“It’s a matter of sitting down with our leaders, as well as myself and making sure we get the right people to play in the right positions.
“We took four away last year. I feel like they’re really important and key positions so we want to pick the best players in those positions to play for Australia to cover everything.”
Walters would not be drawn on whether Tedesco was his first-choice fullback with Reece Walsh also named in the Kangaroos squad.
Walsh was the star of last year’s Ashes whitewash but missed the end of Brisbane’s miserable premiership defence with an ankle injury.
“Reece is ready to go and looking forward to getting back in the green and gold, he’s quite a player as well,” Walters added.
Meanwhile, Newcastle fullback Kalyn Ponga will be free to line up for New Zealand against the Kangaroos after escaping with a $1000 (US$697) fine for his high shot on Victor Radley….PACNEWS
PNG – RUGBY LEAGUE: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 06 Oct 2026
PM XIII losses expose PNG’s rugby league development gap: PM Marape
PORT MORESBY, 06 OCTOBER 2026 (THE NATIONAL)—Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape says Saturday’s contrasting results across the four Prime Minister’s XIII fixtures staged in Port Moresby were a sobering reminder of the work required to close the gap with Australia ahead of the PNG Chiefs’ entry into the NRL in 2028.
He said the huge losses exposed the significant challenge facing Papua New Guinea at senior and women’s representative levels, and have provided a clear picture of both Papua New Guinea’s potential and its development needs.
Only the Junior Kumuls delivered a momentous performance to win 18-10 over the Australian Schoolboys. Australia’s Schoolgirls defeated the PNG Junior Orchids 32-0, while the Australian Women’s Prime Minister’s XIII recorded a 66-6 victory over the PNG Women’s Prime Minister’s XIII. In the 20th men’s Prime Minister’s XIII encounter between the two countries, Australia defeated Papua New Guinea 60-10.
“We congratulate Australia on their victories and on the quality of rugby league they displayed today,” Marape said, while urging Papua New Guinea to use the results as a benchmark for improvement rather than shy away from the scale of the challenge.
“For our PNG teams, particularly our senior men and women, these results show us clearly that there is still considerable work ahead.”
The prime minister said PNG needed to learn from the gap exposed by the matches and accelerate improvements across the domestic and high-performance systems. “We should not hide from that. We must learn from it.
“If Papua New Guinea wants to compete consistently against the best, then we must continue improving our domestic competitions, coaching, high-performance programmes, player development and pathways.”
Stressing on continued investment in junior rugby league, Marape said: “The Junior Kumuls showed us today what can happen when talented young Papua New Guineans are developed and given the opportunity to compete.
“Our investment cannot be limited to one team. It must strengthen rugby league from the grassroots level through to our domestic competitions and elite pathways.”…PACNEWS
FIJI – RUGBY: FIJI VILLAGE SPORTS PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 06 Oct 2026
New Flying Fijians Head Coach to be announced early next week
SUVA, 06 OCTOBER 2026 (FIJI VILLAGE SPORTS)—The new Flying Fijians Head Coach will be announced early next week.
Fiji Rugby Union General Manager High Performance Naca Cawanibuka confirmed this to fijivillage Sports.
Cawanibuka says they are conducting a second round of interviews this week due to the size of the candidate pool, the level of detail required during the interview process and the different time zones in which the applicants are based.
He says they are looking to finalise the recruitment process by the end of this week, with an announcement expected early next week.
The FRU had earlier confirmed that it received 31 applications for the position.
Two names reported to be in the running are former Springboks coach Jake White and former Wales coach Warren Gatland.
The Flying Fijians march into camp next Monday to prepare for the Japan Centennial Celebrations Test in Tokyo on 24th October.
They will then have a week off before travelling to Europe for the Nations Championship, where they will first face France at 8.10am on Sunday, 8th November.
The Flying Fijians will then play Ireland at 8.10am on Sunday, 15th November, before meeting Italy at 4.40am on Sunday, 22nd November.
On the 29th and 30th November is when the teams will face off with the 6th ranked Northern Hemisphere side will take on their Southern Hemisphere counterpart all the way till the top two sides meeting to see which hemisphere rules supreme….PACNEWS
FIJI – FOOTBALL: FBC SPORTS PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 06 Oct 2026
Kiribati ready for historic FMF IDC debut
SUVA, 06 OCTOBER 2026 (FBC SPORTS)—Kiribati is set to make history today when its national team takes the field for the first time at the Inter-District Championship in Suva.
The island nation will open the 86th IDC against Seaqaqa at 11am on Tuesday at HFC Bank Stadium, marking a significant milestone in the development of football in Kiribati.
Kiribati national team manager Bernard Tatireta says the opportunity is the result of growing cooperation between the footballing bodies of the two countries.
“We would like to extend our appreciation to the Fiji Football Association for allowing us to join and participate in this very important event for Kiribati football.”
He also acknowledged the Fiji FA, FMF and other sponsors for helping make the historic participation possible.
Tatireta says discussions between football officials from Fiji and Kiribati paved the way for the team’s involvement in this year’s championship.
“This is actually the collaboration between Kiribati football and Fiji football.”
The tournament also provides Kiribati with valuable exposure as it continues its push towards becoming a full member of the Oceania Football Confederation.
The squad has arrived in Fiji with 19 players and five officials, with Tatireta hoping the experience will help prepare the players for bigger international challenges.
“We are very hopeful that they will do their best and that our players will have the best experience to help them in their future preparations for bigger tournaments.”
Kiribati has been drawn alongside Seaqaqa and Nadroga in Premier Division Pool A, with tomorrow’s clash against Seaqaqa providing the island nation with its first taste of the FMF IDC stage.
For Kiribati, however, the result will only be part of the story.
Their presence at Fiji’s premier domestic football tournament represents a significant step in the country’s football journey and a historic moment for its players.
The IDC will kick-off today in Suva….PACNEWS
FIJI – RUGBY: FIJI SUN PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 06 Oct 2026
Fiji deaf rugby teams need up to $70K for Japan world championship
SUVA, 06 OCTOBER 2026 (FIJI SUN) —The Fiji’s men’s and women’s deaf rugby sevens teams need between $50,000(US$25,000) and $70,000(US$35,000) to fund their campaign at the World Deaf Rugby Sevens Championship in Tokyo, Japan, from 31 October to 03 November.
Team manager Lionel Danford said funding remained the biggest challenge despite support from the Fiji National Sports Commission through its Disability Funds and the Australian High Commission’s PacificAus Sports programme.
“We are also thankful to the Australian High Commission (DFAT) via their PacificAus Sports funding, and for funding the kits for the players and management team. There still remains a funding gap of about 50-70K to fully support the tour,” Danford told SUNsports.
He said additional funding was needed for daily expenses and camp preparations.
“We are still looking for funds,’ he said.
Danford said consistent player numbers, particularly in the women’s team, were also a challenge because of work and family commitments.
Many of the players are unemployed and must cover their own transportation costs to training.
Despite the challenges, Danford said preparations had been positive, with both teams entering camp last Sunday.
‘Morale is very high, especially when we are giving them attention and letting them know that we are preparing well as much as any national rugby team prepares for a tournament,” he said.
The men’s team is in Pool A with defending champions Wales, South Africa, New Zealand, Samoa and the Barbarians.
The women are in Pool C alongside Wales, Australia, England, the BarÂbarians and New Zealand.
Danford acknowledged the tough draw but said the teams would be ready for the challenge.
‘We will be well prepared, knowing all teams are also preparing well as this is the World Cup and it comes every four years,” he said.
Both teams are targeting the chamÂpionship titles, with preparations focused on conditioning, technical skills and developing a clear game plan.
“We need more work around our technical areas, especially for our women’s team,” Danford said.
The teams will also scrimmage against the Fiji men’s national sevens team at the Pasifika Communities University.
Danford thanked Fiji sevens coach Osea Kolinisau for the opportunity, saying the session would help assess their fitness and set pieces.
He said it could also provide an opportunity for deaf players to earn selection into the national sevens training squad and potentially compete in the HSBC SVNS series.
Both teams trained at the Sand Dunes in Sigatoka last Saturday.
“Our motivation comes from God. It’s something we’ve talked about from day one as we moved into camp,” Danford said.
The teams depart for Narita, Japan, on 27 October and return on 05 November….PACNEWS
FIJI – YOUTH OLYMPICS: FBC SPORTS PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 06 Oct 2026
Khelan and Croker selected as Fiji flag bearers at Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games
SUVA, 06 OCTOBER 2026 (FBC SPORTS)—Swimmer Grace Khelan and triathlete Josiah Croker will carry the Fijian flag at the opening ceremony of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games later this month.
Khelan returns home after a strong performance at the 2026 New Zealand Short Course Championships in Christchurch, where she won gold in the 50m freestyle, silver in the 50m butterfly and bronze in the 100m freestyle.
The young swimmer also enjoyed success last year at the School Sport Australia Swimming Championships in Brisbane, winning bronze in both the 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle. She also set three national records in the girls’ 13 years’ category.
Croker, 16, will join Khelan as Fiji’s flag bearer after an impressive run of results in triathlon.
He won bronze in the open mixed relay at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau and claimed youth gold at the 2025 World Triathlon Regional Development Cup in Fiji.
This year, Croker placed ninth out of 21 competitors in the elite men’s field at the World Triathlon Regional Development Cup in Tahiti. He also finished 13th out of 25 in the men’s open category at the Pacific Games test event.
Team Fiji Chef de Mission Jane Wong-Niubalavu, says both athletes had earned the role through their results and the way they carry themselves.
“Grace and Josiah have already shown what it takes to compete for Fiji at international level. They train hard, they look out for their teammates, and they represent their sports and their families well. Carrying the flag is an honour for any athlete. We know they will lead the team out in Dakar with pride, and the whole country will be behind them.”
The pair will lead Fiji’s delegation into the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, representing the country at the opening ceremony later this month.
The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, from 31 October to 13 November…PACNREWS
KIRIBATI – ONOC: ONOC MEDIA PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 06 Oct 2026
Kiribati safeguarding pilot informs course rollout across Oceania
TARAWA, 06 OCTOBER 2026 (ONOC MEDIA)— Thirteen participants have completed a three-day pilot of the Foundational Safeguarding Course run by the Oceania Sport Education Programme (OSEP), the flagship programme of the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC).
The course was held from 23 to 25 September at the YCL Boardroom in Antebuka, South Tarawa. OSEP delivered the community-level course in partnership with the Kiribati National Olympic Committee (KNOC).
KNOC Secretary General Rota Onorio said the committee had asked to host the pilot because it had identified a need for safeguarding training in Kiribati sport. He hopes the course will help national sport federations develop their own safeguarding policies and put them into practice.
Participants included representatives of Kiribati sport federations, KNOC, the Ministry of Women, Youth, Sports and Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Education. They explored how to recognise abuse, neglect and harmful behaviour; maintain appropriate boundaries; respond to concerns; and use reporting and referral pathways.
OSEP Regional Master Educator and Lead Facilitator Tihrani Uluinakauvadra said a participant’s comment about feeling empowered to make a difference in the community had stayed with him. He said the group had examined the root causes of harm and abuse, including behaviours that have become normalised in sport and the wider community. Participants also discussed how they could support one another to raise awareness and strengthen safeguarding practice in their organisations.
For Ariteti Botibara, a curriculum development officer with Kiribati’s Ministry of Education, the course has relevance beyond the workshop room. She hopes to use stories in curriculum materials to help parents and athletes better understand their rights and where to seek help. “I really want to become the voice of the voiceless in the community,” she said.
Kinaua Biribo, a judo coach, said the course prompted her to reflect on the way she speaks to young athletes, and to use a more constructive response when athletes do not listen, rather than reacting harshly.
Itintemauri Kararaua, a beach volleyball referee and coach who is also a schoolteacher, took a similar message into both sport and education, saying the course pushed him to think about how coaches treat athletes and the need to avoid favouritism. He would like more people in the community to have access to safeguarding training, along with regular opportunities to refresh what they have learned.
Manate Rumaroti, a Youth Officer with the Ministry of Women, Youth, Sports and Social Affairs, said the training was relevant both to the Ministry’s work with young people and to how safeguarding concerns are handled within the organisation. He valued the depth of the course, saying staff had previously had limited training on the subject.
Angitonu David, a legal officer with the Development Bank of Kiribati and a KNOC Equity Commission member, said the course helped her recognise situations that raise safeguarding concerns.
She said the learning would be valuable across sport and other organisations, helping people understand how to recognise concerns, report them and seek help.
OSEP Mentor and Pilot Validator Nynette Sass said the sensitive way the course was delivered stood out to her. She said the pilot also showed the importance of making safeguarding examples relatable and culturally relevant, while allowing facilitators in other countries to adapt case studies to their own settings.
At the close of the course, ONOC Acting Chief Sport Education Programme Officer Meli Cavu challenged each participant to identify one action they could take in their own role to make sport safer.
He also asked them to raise one matter through the appropriate channel to help their organisation strengthen its safeguarding practices. Cavu said the value of this community-level course would be seen in the conversations participants begin, the behaviours they model and the improvements they encourage after returning home.
The course was developed and validated in 2025 with contributions from the Fiji Paralympic Committee; ONOC’s regional partners Team Up and Oceania Rugby; practitioners from Oceania Football and National Rugby League Ltd; and several regional graduates of the IOC Safeguarding Officer in Sport Certificate distance learning programme.
Participants’ feedback and the facilitation team’s observations will help OSEP strengthen the course content, activities, assessment tools and delivery approach before a wider regional rollout planned for the first quarter of 2027. The pilot supports Priority Area 4: Safe and Fair Sport in the ONOC Strategic Plan 2025–2028…..PACNEWS
FIJI – SNOOKER: FIJI SUN PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 06 Oct 2026
Fiji makes cuesports debut
SUVA, 06 OCTOBER 2026 (FIJI SUN)—Fiji will make its debut at the Commonwealth Cuesports Championship when a three member national snooker team travels to Ahmedabad, India, for the 07-09 October tournament.
Team Fiji will be represented by Raymond Reddy, Nitesh Chand and Pritesh Khatri.
Billiards and Snooker Association of Fiji vice-president Reddy said the opportunity marked an important milestone for the country’s growing presence on the international cuesports stage.
The Fijian trio will compete against players from 42 countries, gaining valuable international experience at the championship.
Reddy said the team had prepared with the aim of representing Fiji well and showcasing the country’s cuesports talent.
“The championship will bring together players from across the Commonwealth and beyond, with Ahmedabad providing the setting for several days of high-level competition,” Reddy said.
“For Fiji, however, the trip is about more than just results. It represents a significant step forward for cuesports in the country and an opportunity to build international relationships while showcasing the talent available in Fiji.”
Team Fiji departed Sunday and is expected to arrive in Ahmedabad before the championship begins….PACNEWS
PAC – ONOC: ONOC MEDIA PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 06 Oct 2026
ONOC President strengthens international partnerships and opportunities for Oceania at Asian Games
AICHI NAGOYA, 06 OCTOBER 2026 (ONOC MEDIA)— Attending at the invitation of the President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President Temengil engaged with senior Olympic Movement leaders, Continental Associations, International Federations and National Olympic Committees to strengthen relationships and explore opportunities that support the development of sport across Oceania.
The engagements align with the ONOC Strategic Plan 2025–2028, particularly its core function of Cultivating Strategic Partnerships, which recognises the importance of collaboration in supporting sporting excellence, strengthening National Olympic Committees and creating greater opportunities for athletes across the region.
Strengthening Relationships Across the Olympic Movement
During her visit, President Temengil met with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry and IOC Director James Macleod, providing an update on the ongoing ONOC Reset, including organisational developments and key activities being undertaken to strengthen ONOC’s governance, operations and delivery across the region.
The meeting provided an opportunity to reinforce ONOC’s relationship with the IOC and its continued commitment to supporting the Olympic Movement across Oceania. President Temengil also met with senior leaders from the Olympic Council of Asia, including Sheikh Faisal Ahmed Ali Al-Thani, Head of the President’s Office and Director of International Relations, and Seiko Hashimoto, President of the Japanese Olympic Committee.
Engagements with fellow Continental Association Presidents Mustapha Berraf, President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), and Spyros Capralos, President of the European Olympic Committees (EOC), provided further opportunities to strengthen cooperation and exchange perspectives on shared priorities across the Olympic Movement.
As part of ONOC’s strategic focus on partnerships, President Temengil engaged with International Federation leaders, including Mohamed Hasan Jalood, President of the International Weightlifting Federation; Fabio Azevedo, President of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB); and Hugh Graham, Secretary General of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) and President of the Oceania Volleyball Zone. She also reconnected with Gunilla Lindberg, Secretary General of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), and met with sports leaders from National Olympic Committees and International Federations across Asia and Africa.
These engagements provided opportunities to explore future cooperation, technical exchanges, athlete development pathways and programmes that could contribute to strengthening sport across Oceania.
For ONOC, international partnerships are an important mechanism for connecting the region’s National Olympic Committees and sporting organisations with expertise, resources and opportunities within the wider Olympic Movement.
President Temengil highlighted the importance of ensuring that these relationships deliver meaningful benefits for ONOC’s members.
“Our partnerships across the Olympic Movement are important to the future of sport in Oceania. Through these relationships, we can connect our National Olympic Committees, athletes and coaches with greater opportunities for development, knowledge exchange and international cooperation.
“Our focus is on ensuring that these engagements translate into meaningful opportunities for our members and contribute to the long-term development of sport across our region.”
Advancing the ONOC–Fukuoka Partnership
President Temengil also met with representatives of Fukuoka Prefecture, including Executive Director Hironobu Takashi, to discuss progress under the existing Memorandum of Understanding between ONOC and Fukuoka.
The partnership focuses on sports training, talent identification and athlete development opportunities, providing a platform for further collaboration between Oceania and Japan.
The meeting reinforced ONOC’s commitment to translating international relationships into practical programmes and development opportunities that benefit athletes and sporting organisations across the region.
The ONOC–Fukuoka collaboration also demonstrates how strategic partnerships can support ONOC’s broader objectives of strengthening sporting excellence and expanding development pathways for athletes and coaches.
Partnerships That Deliver for Oceania
President Temengil’s engagements at the Asian Games reflect ONOC’s broader strategic direction of building and maintaining meaningful partnerships across the Olympic Movement.
The ONOC Strategic Plan 2025–2028 identifies Cultivating Strategic Partnerships as one of its four core functions, alongside Supporting Sporting Excellence, Strengthening NOC Services and Leading by Example.
Through stronger relationships with the IOC, Continental Associations, International Federations, National Olympic Committees and other strategic partners, ONOC seeks to expand opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange and sport development.
These efforts contribute to ONOC’s shared vision of an empowered and innovative sport ecosystem in Oceania, where athletes are at the heart of sustainable success.
As the region looks towards Brisbane 2032 and beyond, ONOC remains committed to ensuring that its international partnerships contribute to strengthening the capacity of its member National Olympic Committees and creating greater opportunities for Oceania’s athletes and coaches to develop and succeed…..PACNEWS
PAC – RUGBY/RUGBY LEAGUE: RNZ PACIFIC PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 06 Oct 2026
Can the Chiefs of rugby union and rugby league co-exist?
HAMILTON, 06 OCTOBER 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC)—New Zealand Rugby’s Chiefs franchise is seeking an amicable solution in its dispute with Papua New Guinea’s new rugby league franchise of the same name, but it’s not clear that the NRL wants to compromise.
NZR recently wrote to Australia’s National Rugby League, urging it to reconsider the name of the fledgling PNG Chiefs franchise as it clashes with the long established Super Rugby Pacific Chiefs.
The Chiefs rugby franchise has held the trademark in Australia for its name and logo since 1998. IP Australia has knocked back attempts by the NRL to register the trademark because of what it identified as the potential for brand confusion.
However, the PNG franchise – which is set to join the NRL in 2028 – says it’s pushing ahead with plans to launch its brand and logo later this month
Brand building
The CEO of the Chiefs rugby franchise, Simon Graafhuis said that since both teams will be operating in the same trans-Tasman market, the overlap of name would be problematic.
“The IP office in Australia – when the NRL went to register the name – didn’t allow it because of the potential confusion,” he told RNZ Pacific.
“And we’ve seen the media already where there’s talk about player transfers or sponsors going to the Chiefs. It causes confusion amongst fans, sponsors.
“We’ve got a right to a level of protection. That’s what trademark law is about.
“We spent 30 years building a brand and a fan base and a sort of a culture that reflects the region. In terms of in terms of IP law, it’s pretty clear cut.”
Rugby fans in the region are familiar with the Hamilton-based Chiefs’ brand and the team’s usual playing strip of black, red and yellow.
These same colours are the colours of the PNG flag, and had been widely expected to feature when the PNG side enters the NRL competition in 2028.
But a spokesperson for the PNG Chiefs told RNZ Pacific people shouldn’t assume the playing strip will be the red, black and yellow of PNG’s flag – that’s more a thing for the PNG national side, the Kumuls.
The spokesperson expressed confidence that the PNG Chiefs launch on 21 October will help distinguish their outfit and bring clarity to the issue.
Meanwhile, the NZR awaits a response from the NRL whose lawyers could cite examples of where similarly-named franchises in different oval ball codes have co-existed in the same market.
There is of course the case of the Auckland Blues Super Rugby team operating in the same trans-Tasman market as the New South Wales Blues rugby league team in the State of Origin series, not to mention the AFL’s Carlton Blues.
Graafhuis is not sure it’s a valid comparison, saying that for the league team, the ‘Blues’ is more of a nickname.
“”I can’t really comment on what protection was put in place. Obviously, neither got it registered. New South Wales Blues only plays three games a year. Next year will be the first year they actually play outside of Australia, so quite different in terms of the times they operate.”
There’s a lot riding on the PNG Chiefs’ entrance into the NRL, not just because of its importance to PNG as a nation whose government pushed for this opportunity for many years.
But also because Australia’s government is funding the team with a massive AUD$600-million (US$417 million) over ten years, leading some to suggest Canberra could play a hand in encouraging a way through the dispute.
Both sides want to co-exist in the same sporting ecosystem, one in which rugby league is a significantly larger commercial operation, but NZR has a legitimate trademark that gives it a sound legal basis in this dispute
Graafhuis said he couldn’t see how a name pivot by the PNG franchise would endanger the Australian investment.
“Look, I’m assuming the government’s backing the good of having a team in PNG geopolitically, socially, culturally,” he said.
“I can’t imagine that the money’s going in because of the name. I think it’ll be because of what it does and what it does for the region.”
He said both the Chiefs and NZR were keen to come up with an amicable solution.
“The last thing you want to do is go down a legal route because that becomes time consuming and costly for all involved.
“There would have to be a launch, and some brand damage, before there’d be any consequences. That’s why we’ve raised it now before before there’s really a cost to either party.”
From the rugby Chiefs’ perspective, there’s a simple solution, Graafhuis said.
“Find another name that’s appropriate and meaningful. Do some checks that you’ve actually got licence to operate that so you can use the name. That’s probably the learning for them in this one.
‘I’m sure there are lots of names that in time will become really meaningful to them. But that’s pretty easy for me to say, yeah, just change the name,” he said…PACNEWS
