In this bulletin:
1. RUGBY LEAGUE — PNG Chiefs sign international star Brian To’o
2. FOOTBALL — Late Goals Rescue Auckland City FC
3. FOOTBALL — Saiko strikes late in AS Tiga sport success
4. FOOTBALL — U.S Flag Football Coaches bring Olympic-bound sport to Fiji
5. RUGBY — Fijiana coach identifies areas to work on
6. RUGBY — Fiji Rugby and Dulux Partner to Refresh the Home ofFijian Rugby
7. RUGBY — Tuipulotu warns All Blacks must fix discipline after Stormers scare
8. RUGBY — Wright backing Suaalii in midfield as they look to maximise versatile backline
9. RUGBY — Tom Hooper added to Wallabies squad for Townsville Test
10. RUGBY LEAGUE — Fonua-Blake faces ban; Carrigan, Cotter plead not guilty
11. OLYMPICS — Brisbane Showgrounds redevelopment to deliver €176.5m arena
PAC – RUGBY LEAGUE: NRL PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 11 Aug 2026
PNG Chiefs sign international star Brian To’o
SYDNEY/PORT MORESBY, 11 AUGUST 2026 (NRL)—The PNG Chiefs have secured one of rugby league’s most respected Pacific stars, with Samoan international Brian To’o joining the club as Chiefs Player #006 ahead of its inaugural 2028 NRL Telstra Premiership season.
A proud Samoan and one of the NRL’s premier wingers, To’o brings not only an extraordinary record of success on the field, but the values of family, culture, community, and togetherness that will sit at the heart of the PNG Chiefs.
With 151 NRL appearances, 99 tries, four NRL Premierships, 17 State of Origin appearances for the NSW Blues and 11 Tests for Samoa, To’o has established himself as one of the most accomplished players of his generation.
PNG Chiefs CEO Lorna McPherson said To’o’s decision to join the Chiefs was significant for both the club and the wider Pacific rugby league community.
“Brian is an exceptional rugby league player, but this signing is about much more than football,” she said.
“The PNG Chiefs will be a club proudly built in Papua New Guinea but with a strong Pacific identity. Across our region, family, culture, community, and rugby league are deeply connected, and Brian represents those values every time he takes the field.
“He is fiercely proud of his Samoan heritage, incredibly close to his family and understands what it means to represent something bigger than yourself.
“That is exactly the kind of person we want wearing the Chiefs jersey.
“We want young people across Papua New Guinea and the Pacific to look at this team and see themselves in it.
“Brian choosing to become part of the Chiefs sends a powerful message about the club we are building and what this team can represent for our region, and we are incredibly proud to welcome him, his wife and children into the Chiefs family.”
PNG Chiefs General Manager – Football Michael Chammas said securing a player of To’o’s calibre was another important step in building the club’s inaugural squad.
“Brian has performed at the highest level of rugby league for many years and knows exactly what is required to create and sustain a winning environment,” he said.
“He brings competitiveness, consistency, and an enormous work ethic, but equally important for us is what he brings culturally.
“We are building this club from the ground up, and the standards established by our first group of players will shape our club for generations. Brian understands family, sacrifice, humility, and togetherness.
“Those are values shared across Papua New Guinea and the Pacific. To secure
a player of Brian’s quality, character and cultural strength is a huge moment for the Chiefs.”
To’o will join the PNG Chiefs ahead of the club’s inaugural 2028 NRL season on a three-year deal at the conclusion of his contract with the Panthers….PACNEWS
PAC – FOOTBALL: OFC PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 11 Aug 2026
Late Goals Rescue Auckland City FC
LAUTOKA, 11 AUGUST 2026 (OFC)—A brace of goals within two minutes of each other saw Auckland City come from behind to defeat a gallant Central Coast FC 2-1, taking their OFC Men’s Champions League unbeaten streak to 28-games in a pulsating Group A contest at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
Spanish midfielder Gerard Garriga and late substitute Ryan De Vries netted within 120 seconds of each other as the match headed towards its final dozen minutes, overturning a Central Coast FC lead that was thoroughly deserved after a scintillating attacking performance from the Solomon Islands outfit.
Auckland City fired the first shot in anger after just ten minutes as Czech midfielder Pavel Osmancik thrashed a shot over the bar from the edge of the area, but it was the team from the Solomons who had the best opportunity of the opening quarter of the fixture.
Twenty minutes in the pre-tournament favourites were guilty of dawdling in defence a Nathan Rostron was robbed inside his own area. The ball fell kindly for Solomon Islands international Rafa Lea’i who might have done better than crack a shot over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.
Hudyn Irodao then drew a fine save from City ‘keeper Matthew Foord as Central Coast flexed their attacking muscles. At the other end, Erick Wanega was largely unemployed while just before half-time Lea’i went close again, smashing a shot over when well picked out by a sublime pass from Irodao.
With no goals at the break the initiative was there to be seized in the second half, and Lea’i had the ball in the net seven minutes after the resumption for Central Coast, the offside flag denying the lively attacker the breakthrough.
It was no surprise that when the deadlock was finally broken just before the hour mark that Lea’i played a major role. Bursting behind the flat-footed Auckland City defence, Lea’i kept his cool and laid off a perfect pass to the onrushing Bobby Leslie who took aim and rammed a low first-time shot past Foord into the bottom corner from the top of the penalty area.
Having only lost nine of their previous 116 OFC Men’s Champions League matches, Auckland City found themselves in an unusual position and suddenly upped the tempo as they sought an equalising goal. And it came twelve minutes from time as Wanega pushed away an Osmancik shot into the path of Gerard Garriga who tapped home.
Two minutes later Auckland City were ahead. Michal Doudera made inroads down the left side of the pitch and swung in a delicious cross that was met by a second substitute, Ryan De Vries, who volleyed home from close range to turn the match on its head and lead the New Zealanders to the win.
Central Coast FC 1 (Bobby LESLIE 58′)
Auckland City 2 (Gerard GARRIGA 78′, Ryan DE VRIES 80′)
HT: 0-0…PACNEWS
PAC – FOOTBALL: OFC PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 11 Aug 2026
Saiko Strikes late in AS Tiga Sport success
LAUTOKA, 11 AUGUST 2026 (OFC)—A last-minute strike from substitute Jean-Yves Saiko guided AS Tiga Sport to a narrow Men’s Champions League opening match victory over AS Vénus at Churchill Park in Lautoka, Fiji, the team from New Caledonia claiming the points with a 1-0 success.
A tentative start from both teams saw a lack of real opportunities inside the opening twenty minutes of the contest. AS Tiga Sport did have the ball in the net in the 17th minute, Yannick Ipunesso blasting home from the top of the box, only for his effort to be disallowed for a foul in the build-up, to little complaint.
Shortly afterwards AS Vénus’ Keahinui Brown stung the palms of the New Caledonian club’s goalkeeper, Thomas Schmidt, with a fierce drive from an acute angle, Tiga Sport scrambling away the resultant loose ball.
With both midfield units closing any space, and both defensive line-ups conducting an understandable safety first approach, there was little to set the pulses racing in the opening forty-five minutes. AS Vénus’ Manuarii Shan seeing his direct free-kick punched away to safety by Schmidt in one of the few presentable chances for either side.
By contrast the first quarter-of-an-hour of the second half saw AS Vénus on the front foot, creating an opportunity for Germain Haewegene just three minutes post the restart. Unfortunately, the forward could only get a tame toe on a through ball to divert it at Schmidt.
On the hour a superbly flighted corner from Mana Teniau was met by the forehead of Kevin Barbe, but the defender was unable to get above the ball sufficiently to direct his header on target. Shortly after, Mathis Lacan tip-toed his way through three AS Tiga Sport challengers only for his shot at goal to be deflected wide for a corner.
AS Tiga Sport responded with a vicious free-kick from Shane Welepane that was punched up onto the crossbar by AS Vénus’ stopper Tetahio Teriinohopuaiterai who also reacted fastest to smother the rebound as striker Willy Read sought to force the loose ball over the line.
Both teams made changes seeking to make the all-important breakthrough and it was an AS Tiga Sport substitute who did just that in the 89th minute. Jythrim Upa was given too much space on the right flank to pick out a cross which was met by a perfect diving header from Saiko that flew past Teriinohopuaiterai to seal the win.
AS Vénus 0
AS Tiga Sport 1 (Jean-Yves SAIKO 89′)
HT: 0-0…PACNEWS
FIJI – FOOTBALL: US EMBASSY PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 11 Aug 2026
U.S Flag Football Coaches bring Olympic-bound sport to Fiji
SUVA, 11 AUGUST 2026 (US EMBASSY) — Two elite American flag football coaches are in Fiji this week to help expand the fast-growing sport through youth clinics and coach training in Suva and Nadi.
The programme, running from 10 – 15 August, is being hosted by the U.S Embassy Suva in partnership with the U.S Department of State’s Sports Diplomacy Division and USA Football.
Sports Envoys Joshua Saunders and Nadia Bibbs will work with students, teachers and coaches in public schools, providing training and skills aimed at supporting the long-term development of flag football in Fiji.
Students will be introduced to the sport, while local teachers and coaches will receive training to help sustain its growth in schools.
The programme is part of a wider regional exchange that began with a week of flag football activities in Tonga, hosted by the U.S Embassy in Nuku’alofa.
Bibbs is a former U.S Women’s Flag National Team player who won silver and gold medals in 2021 and 2022. She is now Assistant Coach of the U.S 17U Girls’ National Team and also works as a software engineer.
Saunders is Head Coach of the U.S 17U Girls’ National Team and has won gold medals at both the 15U and 17U international levels. He also developed a flag football programme at Robinson High School, where he works as a calculus teacher.
U.S Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Christina Cavallo said the programme was about more than introducing an American sport to Fiji.
“Sports teach young people about teamwork, hard work, discipline, strategic thinking, and perseverance. Sports teach us that even when you get knocked down, you get back up again and try again,” Cavallo said.
“So, when we teach flag football in Fijian schools, we are not just sharing a beloved American sport, we are also instilling values that both Americans and Fijians deeply cherish.”
The programme comes as flag football prepares for its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Games.
The sport now has more than 20 million active players across 100 countries.
The U.S Embassy Suva has promoted American football and flag football in Fiji over the past year through initiatives including a Super Bowl watch party in February, support for the National Football League’s first outreach visit to Fiji, and flag football activities during Olympic Day celebrations in June.
The activities were held in partnership with the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee…..PACNEWS
FIJI – RUGBY: FIJI SUN PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 11 Aug 2026
Fijiana coach identifies areas to work on
SUVA, 11 AUGUST 2026 (FIJI SUN)—The Fijiana XV’s 55-12 thrashing to South Africa has provided their newly appointed head coach Willie Walker, the opportunity to gauge where the team really stands.
“It was a pretty tough introduction, obviously, for myself in terms of Test match rugby,” Walker said after the first Test at Suva’s National Stadium last Saturday.
“They put up a great fight. South Africa was always going to be a tough task for us, but what it did was give us a gauge of where we were currently. Also, the areas we need to be better at for next week (second Test).
“We’ll go away this weekend and work hard to make sure we rectified some of the areas we have identified.”
Fijiana XV captain Kolora Lomani said they had struggled to maintain the standard they had prepared for during the week.
“It was tough out there. I guess we kind of pulled back from what we prepared for during the week,” she said.
“South Africa did give it to us and we expected the collisions in the first 20 minutes of the game. But now we’ve just got to go back, re-watch our clips and see what we could do better leading into the next game.”
Lomani admitted that their defence had let them down.
“They came up strong upfront and we slipped off a few tackles. We have no excuse for that. We just have to go back, fix a few things and come back stronger next week.”
Walker also highlighted discipline was an issue after Fijiana No.8 Alfreda Fisher was red carded for a dangerous tackle in the second half.
“We’ll have a look at the video. We can’t allow discipline to dictate the way we play, and we’ll review what that looked like and how we moved forward,” he said.
Walker said the Fijiana’s high number of penalties and turnovers had prevented them from competing effectively against a quality South African side.
“We had seven or eight penalties against a quality side like South Africa. If we could learn some lessons this week and make sure we improved for next week, it would go a long way.
“From my end as a coach, I think we needed to get back to some basics, some fundamentals of rugby.
“We couldn’t play a Test match with 17 turnovers. We were just giving the ball away to the opposition, and to compete at Test match level, we had to be able to control our own ball and make the best of those opportunities,” he said….PACNEWS
FIJI – RUGBY: FRU PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 11 Aug 2026
Fiji Rugby and Dulux Partner to Refresh the Home ofFijian Rugby
SUVA, 11 AUGUST 2026 (FRU)—Fiji Rakavi Football Union is proud to announce a new partnership with Dulux Fiji, which will see the iconic Rugby House and High-Performance Unit (HPU) Gym undergo refurbishment as part of a shared commitment to creating environment that reflects the pride, professionalism and future of Fijian rugby.
As the Official Paint Partner of Rugby House and the HPU Gyms, Dulux Fiji will support the refurbishment of these important facilities, helping create a more welcoming, modern and inspiring space for players, coaches, staff, stakeholders and the wider rugby community.
While much of the spotlight in rugby naturally falls on performances on the field, Fiji Rugby recognises that lasting success begins behind the scenes. Maintaining and improving the facilities where players prepare, coaches plan and staff work every day is an important investment in the future of the game.
The refurbishment of Rugby House represents more than just a fresh coat of paint. It reflects a commitment to restoring pride in the home of Fiji Rugby and ensuring that the organization continues to build a professional environment worthy of the players who proudly represent the nation.
Fiji Rugby Chief Executive Officer Koli Sewabu welcomed the partnership, saying: “This partnership with Dulux Fiji is an important step forward for Fiji Rugby.
Every meaningful transformation begins with small but deliberate actions, and this is one of those moments. Rugby House is the heart of our organisation, and we want it to reflect the pride, professionalism and ambition of Fijian rugby.
“We know our supporters are passionate about the future of Fiji Rugby, and so are we. While everyone understandably focuses on what happens on the field, building a stronger organization also means improving the places where our people work, prepare and develop every single day.”We are grateful to Dulux Fiji for believing in our vision and choosing to invest in Fiji Rugby. Partnerships like this demonstrate that organisations continue to see value in supporting our journey. Together, we are laying the foundations for long- term success—not through one big change, but through consistent improvements that will benefit our players, staff and future generations.”
Dulux Fiji Chief Executive Officer, Roshan Singh, expressed enthusiasm about partnering with Fiji Rugby, noting that the collaboration reflects a share commitment to quality, community and creating spaces that inspire excellence.
“Rugby is more than a sport in Fiji. It is a source of pride, unity and inspiration for our nation. We are honored to play a small part in supporting Fiji Rugby by helping create spaces that reflect the pride and passion associated with our national sport.”
The refurbishment works are expected to commence in the coming months following project planning and coordination between both organizations.
Fiji Rugby believes that sustainable progress is achieved one step at a time. This partnership is another positive milestone in the Union’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its foundations, improve its operations and provide the best possible environment for everyone involved in Fijian rugby.
The Union looks forward to working alongside Dulux Fiji and continuing to build partnerships that contribute meaningfully to the growth and success of rugby in Fiji….PACNEWS
NZ – RUGBY: PMN PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 11 Aug 2026
Tuipulotu warns All Blacks must fix discipline after Stormers scare
AUCKLAND, 11 AUGUST 2026 (PMN)—Patrick Tuipulotu says the All Blacks have plenty to fix despite opening their South African tour with a 38-21 win over the Stormers.
Tuipulotu is standing in as captain for regular skipper Ardie Savea, who will join the All Blacks later on the campaign.
The All Blacks captain led the side through a tense battle at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday where New Zealand were pushed to 14-14 in the second half before three late tries secured the win.
Tuipulotu says the biggest warning was not the final score but how easily the Stormers tested the All Blacks’ discipline and defence.
“Yeah, I think we come into this game knowing full well that the Stormers would be very physical and throw everything at us and be set piece dominant, and that’s what they did,” he told a press conference after the match.
“But I think credit to the Stormers, they managed to obviously test our discipline, get a lot of penalties, end up in our half, and make us defend quite a bit.”
The All Blacks conceded 16 penalties and had three players yellow-carded while a penalty try also went against them.
Tuipulotu says the Stormers showed exactly what makes South African rugby so difficult to face.
“It’s good to come back and play against them. It’s been a while since we played them in Super Rugby,” he said.
“But they showed the qualities of a good South African team, certainly around their set-piece and around their defence, putting pressure on us and forcing a lot of errors, and especially around the discipline area.”
The Stormers took advantage of the All Blacks’ indiscipline and led for periods of the match. But the visitors’ ability to keep playing under pressure eventually told.
Rieko Ioane, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby, and Asafo Aumua all crossed in the second half with Aumua’s late try sealing the win.
Peter Lakai was also among the All Blacks’ standouts while debutant Josh Jacomb made an impact from the bench.
But the All Blacks will know there is little room for the same mistakes as their South African tour moves on.
The Stormers forced the visitors into long periods of defence and finished with 57 per cent of territory while the All Blacks were also reduced to 13 players during the first half.
Tuipulotu says that is the lesson to take from the opening night: the scoreline may say 38-21 but the All Blacks were made to work for it.
Next up for Tuipulotu and the All Blacks are the Sharks in Durban on Wednesday morning (NZT) where they will face another stern test of their discipline and set-piece game.
There will be an extra twist, with All Blacks great Ma’a Nonu named on the Sharks bench for the clash.
The 44-year-old two-time Rugby World Cup winner has been named at No. 23, just weeks after joining the Sharks as part of a high-performance mentorship role.
Nonu played 103 Tests for the All Blacks between 2003 and 2015 and was part of their 2011 and 2015 World Cup-winning teams.
His return means he could come off the bench against the team he represented for more than a decade…..PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY: RUGBY.COM.AU PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 11 Aug 2026
Wright backing Suaalii in midfield as they look to maximise versatile backline
SYDNEY, 11 AUGUST 2026 (RUGBY.COM.AU)—Wallabies fullback Tom Wright has praised Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s growth in the midfield whilst backing him to star wherever he finds himself on the field.
It comes as Suaalii finished last week’s game on the wing as the Wallabies closed out a three-point win over Japan, moving out there to accomodate the debuting Isaac Henry.
Watch every second of the Wallabies’ Tests against Japan live and on demand via Stan Sport.
It’s a position that has been mooted by fans and pundits alike for the freakish talent, who started his Super Rugby career at fullback.
Outside centre has been his primary position at Test level, with his impact evident after leading the Wallabies for tackle busts (12) alongside Rob Valetini during the Nations Championship.
“At the moment I’ve seen his game grow so, so well in the 13 position,” Wright told reporters.
“I think he’s such a good player for us and such a team first guy. No mention from him as to, he wants to do this, doesn’t want to do this. Wherever you put me, I’ll just jump at. We talk about team first in this group and he’s absolutely leading that.”
The Wallabies fullback was confident the Waratah could thrive wherever in the backline, even at flyhalf if required.
“Leave it ambiguous, they won’t know where he’s going to go,” Wright joked on the discussion.
“I think ‘Su’ could jump into anywhere. You could mould him into an inside centre if you wanted him to; you could give him enough time to play flyhalf. I think he’d also jump at the opportunity to do that. He’s going to be brilliant wherever we put him.
“I think being that talented is a first world problem. I think for there to be so many opinions on it, it means that he’s almost too good for people just to be happy with where he’s at…It’s almost like an asset for him though when other teams maybe don’t know where he’s going to fit in because he can cover multiple positions.”
Like Suaalii, there are several players within that backline that could float between positions.
Harry Potter has been one of the Wallabies’ best since his return against Italy, one of several who can swap between the back three. Filipo Daugunu was used as a centre by Les Kiss in certain stages of 2026 for the Reds, whilst even Ben Donaldson has experience at fullback for the Wallabies, starting there during the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
This is a weapon according to Wright, with the likes of Dylan Pietsch and Corey Toole waiting with the wingers, along with Mark Nawaqanitawase, set to return to Rugby Union at the end of the year.
“I think the versatility that we’ve got pretty much across the entire backline is something that potentially is a weapon for us being able to change the point of attack,“ he believes.
“We saw ‘Su’ on the wing for the last 10 minutes there but the makeup of out bench gave us coverage in many different areas, I was on the wing for a period of time there as well.”…PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY: RUGBY.COM.AU PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 11 Aug 2026
Tom Hooper added to Wallabies squad for Townsville Test
SYDNEY, 11 AUGUST 2026 (RUGBY.COM.AU)—The Wallabies have been boosted by the return of star back-rower Tom Hooper for Saturday’s second Test against Japan in Townsville.
It comes as the Wallabies look to shrug off the jet lag and the effects of sweltering conditions during their 35-32 win over the Brave Blossoms.
Hooper will link up with the squad as they make base in Brisbane following their return from Osaka.
The 25-year-old has recovered from a shoulder injury suffered during the opening Test of the year against Ireland.
It would be Hooper’s first game in Queensland since his decision to commit to the Reds and return to Australian Rugby in 2028.
“Tom is very close…We’ll have a report on where we are at the moment, and then we’ll make a decision tonight whether we do bring Tom or someone else in. But at this stage, I’d like to see how this evening pans out,” coach Les Kiss told media in Osaka about bringing Hooper in.
Centre Len Ikitau remains out, dealing with an ankle injury picked up in the win over Italy last month.
Kiss has forecast changes for Saturday’s Test, set to be forced into at least one after Miles Amatosero’s red card.
Amatosero is likely to have his case heard in the coming days after his dangerous cleanout on Japan skipper Warner Dearns was upgraded from a yellow.
“I understand what they’re seeing but we only looked at it once, so we’ll have a look at it. We’ll live with the decision now and we’ll have a good look at it,” Kiss said.
“Whether he was falling or whatever, that’s for other people to decide.”
Hooper would be a natural replacement, leaving Jeremy Williams to start, whilst the likes of returning second-rower Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Lachlan Shaw are other options.
“This trip took a lot out of a lot of guys, so we’re going to have to look at where the energy is,” Kiss added.
“We’ve got to fly back and we’re going to stay in Brisbane for a few nights just we don’t have to do the double travel, manage that energy in that way.
“I’d imagine there might be one or two tweaks just to help us get through this period. The heat’s been pretty tough here. [Saturday] was a fast game,” he said…. PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY LEAGUE: NRL PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 11 Aug 2026
Fonua-Blake faces ban; Carrigan, Cotter plead not guilty
SYDNEY, 11 AUGUST 2026 (NRL)—Sharks prop Addin Fonua-Blake is set to miss the Round 24 clash against the Raiders for his high shot on Dragons back-rower Hamish Stewart.
The NSW Blues prop has been charged with a Grade 2 Careless High Tackle offence which carries a one-game ban with an early guilty plea.
Should Fonua-Blake elect to fight the charge and be found guilty at the judiciary he would be outed for two matches.
He has until 12pm on Tuesday to enter a plea.
Broncos lock Pat Carrigan and Cowboys skipper Reuben Cotter will front the judiciary on Tuesday night to plead not guilty to their charges.
Carrigan has been charged with a Grade 1 Careless High Tackle offence and faced an $1800(US$1270) with an early guilty plea. That will increase to $2500(US$1,764) if he is found guilty at the judiciary.
Cotter was charged with a Grade 1 Careless High Tackle for a shot in Jayden Campbell and could have accepted a $1000(US$705) fine with an early guilty plea.
Should he be found guilty at the judiciary, Cotter will be fined $1500(US$1,058).
Meanwhile, Storm playmaker Cameron Munster has avoided a ban after an updated medical report led to a downgraded Dangerous Contact charge.
The five-eighth was initially hit with a Grade 2 charge for a tackle on Manly’s Taniela Paseka when the charge sheet was released on Sunday morning. That would have resulted in a one-game ban with the early guilty plea.
Now that it has been downgraded to a Grade 1, Munster faces a $750(US$529) fine with the early plea or $1000(US$705) if he is found guilty at the judiciary.
The incident occurred in the 24th minute at HBF Park when Munster was fourth man into a tackle on Paseka and the Manly prop had his right leg bent back underneath him.
Paseka left the field and was unable to return to the match.
In announcing Munster’s charge had been downgraded to a Grade 1, the NRL said further information had been provided by the Sea Eagles regarding the severity of Paseka’s injury.
“When initially ascribing a grading to Melbourne Storm’s Cameron Munster for the charge of Dangerous Contact, the MRC considered the contents of a Medical Report provided by the injured player’s club which offered preliminary details as to the nature and extent of the injury,” the NRL said in a statement.
“Subsequently, the Match Review Committee has received a further report which materially alters the nature and extent of the injury suffered by the player.
“Pursuant to Rule 61 of the NRL Judiciary Code, where further expert or medical information warrants a different grading, the Match Review Committee may authorise the Match Review Manager to amend the grading and issue an amended Notice of Charge.
“Following due consideration of this Report, the Match Review Committee has reviewed the charge against Cameron Munster and, in accordance with the Judiciary Code, has forwarded the player an amended Notice of Charge for the offence of Dangerous Contact (Grade 1).”
The other 14 players charged during Round 23 have accepted fines after entering early guilty pleas….PACNEWS
AUST – OLYMPICS: INSIDE THE GAMES PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 11 Aug 2026
Brisbane Showgrounds redevelopment to deliver €176.5m arena
BRISBANE, 11 AUGUST 2026 (INSIDE THE GAMES)—The Bowen Hills venue precinct is set for a major transformation, with the Queensland Government confirming the cost of a new 20,000-seat multipurpose stadium ahead of 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Hutchinson Builders has been appointed to deliver the $287.5m (€176.5m) project, which has been designed by Populous and will include a new Machinery Hill grandstand and horse pavilion, alongside significant accessibility upgrades.
The redevelopment is being funded through the Queensland Government’s $3.5 billion (€2.14bn) programme supporting the athletes’ villages for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Showgrounds arena itself is not expected to be used as an Olympic competition venue, with its location close to the planned Brisbane athletes’ village influencing its role within the Games infrastructure programme.
Instead, the facility is being designed as a flexible venue with potential applications beyond its traditional role around the annual Ekka.
RNA Chief Executive Brendan Christou told the Brisbane Times that the venue could eventually accommodate sporting events including AFL and cricket. “We’re building a multipurpose venue here,” Christou said, with the Brisbane Times reporting that the facility would be capable of hosting a wider range of events.
Christou also indicated that the venue’s flexibility had been deliberately considered as part of its long-term design. The arena is expected to remain primarily associated with the Ekka and other special events initially, but its 20,000-seat capacity could provide Brisbane with another option for major events that do not require the scale of the proposed 63,000-seat Victoria Park stadium.
Construction is expected to be completed in 2028, subject to major weather-related disruptions. The project adds another significant venue to Brisbane’s expanding sporting infrastructure ahead of the 2032 Games.
The Brisbane Lions’ new stadium at Springfield is already part of that changing landscape, while the proposed Victoria Park stadium is expected to become the city’s largest new sporting venue. The Showgrounds redevelopment also comes as debate continues over the need for a second-tier rectangular stadium in Brisbane.
Supporters of such a venue argue that an additional facility could take pressure off Suncorp Stadium by providing a home for smaller football and rugby fixtures, as well as concerts and other events. The new Showgrounds arena is not a rectangular stadium, but its multipurpose configuration could allow it to compete for a broader range of events than the traditional showground facilities have accommodated. Transport planning for Victoria Park is another major consideration ahead of Brisbane 2032.
Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has supported using Exhibition Station as part of a wider network of transport options for spectators travelling to the proposed stadium. “The experts are telling us – the police experts and the [International Olympic Committee] – that [a new station] would be difficult,” Bleijie said, according to the Brisbane Times.
The government’s approach is based on distributing spectators across trains, buses, taxis, ride-hailing services and walking routes rather than directing the entire stadium crowd towards a single transport point. Bleijie has argued that spreading crowds across the broader area could reduce pressure on individual roads, transport services and stations following major events.
At the same time, Queensland is continuing work on the three athletes’ villages planned for Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. The Showgrounds project forms part of the wider infrastructure program being developed around the 2032 Games, although its long-term success will ultimately depend on its ability to attract events after the Olympics and Paralympics have concluded.
With completion targeted for 2028, the redevelopment will give Brisbane another substantial events venue while adding a new dimension to the future use of one of the city’s best-known showground precincts…..PACNEWS
