In this bulletin:
1. RUGBY — Fiji name starting XV for Japan test clash
2. RUGBY LEAGUE — No regrets: Why Kangaroo prop made switch from Tonga
3. RUGBY LEAGUE — Meet the mastermind behind Chiefs’s NRL talent factory
4. RUGBY LEAGUE — Tonga rule out Katoa out, Moses tournament over
5. BASKET BALL— Levy and Samoa target qualification and a statement performance
6. BASKETBALL— Ulberg ready for new challenge as Samoa eyes growth in Tahiti
7. BASKETBALL — Last dance at home family and community fuel Arriirimarau Meuel’s Tahiti dream
8.BASKET BALL — American Samoa women ready to blend youth, experience and warrior spirit at the Polynesian cup
9. BASKTEBALL — From opportunity to impact: Michaelyne Ham using basketball to inspire the next generation in PNG
JAPAN – RUGBY: PACNEWS/FIJ TIMES PACNEWS SPORTS: Fri 23 Oct 2026
Fiji name starting XV for Japan test clash
TOKYO, 23 OCTOBER 2026 (PACNEWS/FIJI TIMES) — Fiji has named its starting XV for this weekend’s Test against Japan at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo.
The Fiji Flying Fijians will be led by captain Tevita Ikanivere, with the side looking to deliver a strong performance against Japan.
The starting XV features Peni Ravai, Ikanivere and Inoke Raivunivasa in the front row, with Mesake Vocevoce and Isikeli Rabitu in the second row.
The back row comprises Eroni Tamanivalu, Kitone Salawa and Motikiai Murray.
Terio Tamani and Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula are named among the backs, alongside Joji Nasova, Rabitu, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Nacanieli Boginisoko and Isaac Ratumatavuki-Kneepkens.
The match will be played at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday.
Meanwhile, instilling better structures and organisation into Flying Fijians defensive system has been core objective for defence coach David Ellis since he took the post back on 01 September this year.
The former France defence coach who was also the central figure behind the All-Blacks defensive system during the British and Irish Lions in 2005 is settling slowly into his new role and believes the national team has made some defensive strides since he took charge during the Pacific Nations Cup.
“What I’ve seen from a distance and up close now with regards to the defence is putting in more structure and organisation into the defensive system of the team and also working really hard on their discipline so we not giving penalties away” he said.
Given Fiji’s unstructured by lethal attacking flair Ellis believes discipline will be critical in both their attacking and defensive plays.
“We’ve set certain standards with the team since I’ve started and we are managing to achieve these standards to the number of penalties we’ve conceded which will help us stay more competitive during the game,” Ellis noted.
Fiji’s upcoming Test against Japan will be Elli’s third match as the Flying Fijian’s defence coach and an opportunity to further strengthen his defensive strategy before the upcoming November tour in Europe……PACNEWS
PAC – RUGBY LEAGUE: AAP PACNEWS SPORTS: Fri 23 Oct 2026
‘People love him’: Luai out to defy critics on PNG soil
PORT MORESBY, 23 OCTOBER 2206 (AAP)—Samoa coach Ben Gardiner has little doubt Papua New Guinea will see the real Jarome Luai, as the heavily-criticised five-eighth prepares to play in the country he will call home, following the most disappointing season of his NRL career.
Luai, who is set to join the PNG Chiefs in 2028, is in Port Moresby as part of the Samoa squad set to take on the Kumuls in a World Cup pool game on Saturday.
The five-eighth was feted as a rockstar when he touched down in Port Moresby on Wednesday.
“I don’t know if our players would know who the Beatles are but it was great fanfare for Jarome and Brian (To’o),” Gardiner said.
But not all has been smooth sailing for Luai, who was slaughtered for signing with the Chiefs midway through the season and then servicing third-party agreements with PNG businesses while still on the books of Wests Tigers.
“He did get stick for it, but to the same extent he has his own contracts and therefore he needs to service his contracts,” Chiefs chief executive Lorna McPherson told AAP.
“The thing people don’t realise is the fact that the clubs have to agree to it … which makes me always question why then players get a hard time for it.”
Luai’s exit was widely attributed to the Tigers’ implosion midway through 2026.
But if it’s left a permanent scar on the four-time premiership winner, Gardiner has yet to see it.
“We haven’t talked about his year, we’ve just talked about what he brings to us as a player and the energy and the joy and the leadership that he brings to us as a team,” Gardiner said at the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby on Thursday.
“You can see how carries himself around the hotels here, but also in Sydney when we were there last week.
“People love him and that’s because he’s kind to people and he cares for people.
“You see people asking for autographs and asking for pictures. He never says no. He’s one of the great role models of our game of the NRL.”
Luai was eventually told he was free to find a new club for 2027 and has signed for Parramatta on a one-year deal before his Chiefs contract starts.
“The one thing about Jarome and the thing I’ve loved about him is he’s a winner, right? So he’ll bounce back,” McPherson said.
“I watched him play last weekend and he was smiling, and you could see the difference.
“Sometimes the environment that you’re in and you’re playing in as well can cause you not always to play well.
“Jarome as a person is special. I cannot tell you the joy that the guy brings to me,” he said……PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY LEAGUE: AAP PACNEWS SPORTS: Fri 23 Oct 2026
‘No regrets’: why Kangaroos prop made switch from Tonga
SYDNEY, 23 OCTOBER 2206 (AAP)—No regrets’: why Kangaroos prop made switch from Tonga
SYDNEY, 23 OCTOBER 2026 (AAP)—Keaon Koloamatangi has revealed why he couldn’t knock back the opportunity to represent Australia at the World Cup after previously doing the same with Tonga.
In recent years, the international scene has mostly showcased players with multiple heritages moving across from tier-one sides such as New Zealand and Australia to play for nations such as Samoa and Tonga in particular.
Koloamatangi went the other way, switching from Tonga to Australia before last year’s Ashes tour after previously representing the Mate Ma’a on 10 occasions, including the 2022 World Cup.
“I just want to experience everything. I was lucky enough to play for Tonga in the last World Cup in England,” Koloamatangi said
“I think if Australia comes calling, it’s not something you can turn your back on. It’s probably the best team you can make, and it’s something I want to look back on, knowing I always dreamt of doing it as a kid.”
Koloamatangi, who will join St George Illawarra next season from South Sydney, has a deep appreciation for both nations and does not regard his choice this time as valuing one side of his heritage over the other.
The 28-year-old will play prop against Fiji at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday night as a proud Kangaroo.
“I played for Tonga, I’ve play Origin, and I wanted to play for all the nations that I am eligible for,” he said.
“It’s something I’m really proud of because I’m just as Australian as I am Tongan. I was born Australian and my dad’s Tongan. For me, I just wanted to experience a World Cup in the Australian colours, and I’ve got a lot of great mates here too.”
Koloamatangi admits it was “a tough decision” but the classy response of Tonga coach Kristian Woolf reassured him.
Woolf
“I spoke to Woolfy and he was very grateful for the conversation I had with him. He was respectful and accepted my decision. I have no regrets,” Koloamatangi said.
“I loved my time with Tonga, with the atmosphere they get and the crowds they get.
“They’re such a small country, and seeing them on the big stage now I’ve been being blessed to be a part of it.”
There is a chance Tonga and Australia could meet in the World Cup semi-final or final.
Tonga’s 30-12 win over England in the opening round has them on track to reach the final-four.
“I watched the game last week and was so proud of how they turned up for their nation,” Koloamatangi said.
“Obviously, I want Australia to win, but if we weren’t to win, I’ll be cheering the Tongans all the way. I wish nothing but the best for them.”…PACNEWS
PAC – RUGBY LEAGUE: AAP PACNEWS SPORTS: Fri 23 Oct 2026
Meet the mastermind behind Chiefs’ NRL talent factory
PORT MORESBY, 23 OCTOBER 2026 (AAP)—As chief executive of the PNG Chiefs, Lorna McPherson would love to see her side make the top eight in their foundation season.
But beyond a finals finish in their maiden campaign in 2028, she wants to see the Chiefs nurture homegrown Papua New Guinean players.
“I don’t believe I would be doing a good job if I don’t get those pathways right,” McPherson said.
Despite a nationwide love for the 13-a-side game, few born and bred Papua New Guineans – with Justin Olam and Marcus Bai among the notable exceptions – have made it to the NRL.
Which is why the most important person in ensuring the sustained success of the Chiefs might not be McPherson, coach Willie Peters or football manager Michael Chammas but Joey Grima.
The PNGRFL’s pathways manager and coach of the Junior Kumuls, Grima has challenges like no other talent scout as he hunts for potential NRL players in a nation where infrastructure is poor and there are more than 800 languages.
“We beat Australia’s schoolboys for the first time ever two weeks ago,” Grima said.
“But the thing is, I don’t even know if I’ve found the best players in Papua New Guinea. I can’t get to areas because in some places there’s no roads, or you have to take a six-hour boat.”
Along with one of his best mates, Tarik Houchar, and Kumuls legend Stanley Gene, Grima oversees an academy that now boasts more than 1600 male and female players from under-15 to under-19 right across the country.
But if you want to be part of the academy, there are some rules – and few of them apply to your on-field ability.
“We invite mum and dad to attend an induction and tell them in Tok Pisin (pidgin) and in English that these are the program’s standards,” Grima said.
“If you wear your cap backwards or turn up late without good reason, you are removed from the program. ‘PNG time’ isn’t a thing anymore.
“There’s some education pieces: voice against violence, female health and menstruation, financial literacy, safeguarding – and it resonates with the young boys and girls because now they don’t turn up late and they look after their gear.”
One of Grima’s early success stories has been five-eighth Gairo Voro, who will line up for PNG against a Samoa side led by Jarome Luai in the World Cup on Saturday.
Voro spent the last season in England’s second tier, where he was named player of the year and, along with Morea Morea and Finley Glare, has earned a development contract with the Chiefs for 2028.
Voro was only discovered by chance when Grima went to watch a junior competition in PNG’s Central Province.
“He looked like Jarome Luai when I saw him but I was so impressed by his defence,” Grima said.
“He couldn’t even speak Tok Pisin when we brought him into Junior Kumuls camp but now he’s flying.
“It’s unbelievable, it just shows how untapped this country is.”…PACNEWS
PAC – RUGBY LEAGUE: AAP PACNEWS SPORTS: Fri 23 Oct 2026
Casualty Ward: Tonga rule Katoa out; Moses’ tournament over
SYDNEY, 23 OCTOBER 2026 (AAP)—Star halfback Isaiya Katoa has been ruled out of Tonga’s clash with Lebanon with an ankle injury.
The playmaker suffered the injury late in the Dolphins’ NRL season and aggravated it during last week’s historic victory over England in Perth.
Katoa trained on his own on Tuesday and was initially named at halfback for Friday’s match at CommBank Stadium but has now been ruled out of the match. He is expected to be fit for next week’s showdown with Samoa.
In positive news, Katoa will be replaced in the starting lineup by Latu Fainu, who has overcome a pectoral injury suffered last weekend.
The playmaker lasted just 17 minutes before leaving the field but was cleared of serious injury and was initially named on the six-man bench for Friday’s clash with Lebanon.
Kangaroos halfback Mitchell Moses has been ruled out of the remainder of the World Cup after suffering a leg injury against the Kiwis in the opening match.
The Kangaroos camp confirmed on Saturday that the Parramatta playmaker had diagnosed with a high-grade muscle tear following a MRI in Sydney.
Moses picked up the injury midway through the first half of Thursday night’s game against the Kiwis and initially battled on after receiving treatment. He lasted just two minutes of the second half, however, and limped from the field.
Raiders five-eighth Ethan Strange will replace Moses in the 23-man Kangaroos squad in Brisbane in coming days.
“Mitch made a wonderful contribution to our World Cup preparations during the camp in Sydney and very bravely tried to play through the injury until he eventually had to come from the field on Thursday night,” said Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters.
“He is naturally disappointed at the outcome today and the fact that he tried to stay out there when he was clearly injured shows just what it means to him to represent his country and play in the Kangaroos jersey. We wish Mitch all the best with his recovery.”
Meanwhile, Kiwis fullback Kalyn Ponga has had surgery to repair a broken arm and remains an outside chance of returning before the end of the World Cup.
Ponga picked up the injury while tackling Cameron Munster early in the second half of Thursday night’s clash against Australia and battled on for another 20 minutes, even scoring a sensational solo try before he was replaced with 10 minutes to play.
The Knights superstar had his arm in a sling post-match and scans confirmed he suffered a broken left arm.
Ponga will remain in camp with the Kiwis and will do everything in his power to get back on the field should New Zealand progress deep into the tournament.
On Friday night at CommBank Stadium the Samoan side lost winger Deine Mariner to a hamstring injury in the first half of their clash with France.
Bears recruit Morgan Smithies has been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering an injury at training with England in the lead-up to their opening game against Tonga in Perth.
Smithies has been replaced by Leeds second-rower Kallum Watkins, who will join Brian McDermott’s England squad on the weekend after receiving a late call-up.
Should Watkins feature, he will play in his fourth Rugby League World Cup after previously representing his country on home soil in 2013 and 2022 as well as in Australia when England progressed to the 2017 final.
McDermott said: “It’s really unfortunate what has happened to Morgan with an injury picked up in training.
“Morgan had been great since we entered camp. He’s a real team player and his work ethic and toughness are qualities that we will certainly miss.
“Kallum enjoyed a terrific season with Leeds this year and has been part of our England Performance Programme building into this World Cup.
“I look forward to welcoming him into camp as we step up our preparations.”
Cook Islands has lost forward Marata Niukore with a groin injury sustained at training ahead of Sunday’s match against Fiji, while star back Val Holmes was not named.
Holmes is still recovering from a syndesmosis injury sustained in St George Illawarra’s Round 27 defeat of Parramatta.
Roosters prop Lindsay Collins will miss Australia’s World Cup campaign due to a foot injury.
Collins played through the pain to help the Roosters to grand final glory and was initially named in Kevin Walters’ Kangaroos squad but has since been ruled out and replaced by Lindsay Smith.
The Panthers have provided a promising update on the potential return of Dally M Medal winner Nathan Cleary after he underwent surgery on both legs.
The Penrith co-captain suffered a compound fracture of his left leg in the preliminary final loss against the Knights and was taken straight to hospital where he had an operation to insert a plate and screws
Coach Ivan Cleary confirmed post-match that Nathan would also require surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right foot which he had carried into the match.
“Who knows what an injury – these days – takes,” said Panthers CEO Andrew Hill while talking to 2GB’s Continuous Call team the day before the NRL grand final.
“What used to take three months, is now three weeks.
“The indication from the surgeon is everything going to plan.
“Round 1 to Round 4 we’re expecting him to be back. As good as news as we could have hoped from a terrible, terrible injury.”
Fellow Panther Blaize Talagi is facing six months of rehab after suffering a torn Achilles in the preliminary final while fullback Dylan Edwards injured his knee in the loss to the Knights.
Co-captain Isaah Yeo will delay surgery on his pectoral muscle so he can lead the Kangaroos in the World Cup.
“The injury is feeling good and I feel like I can perform at a level that the country needs,” Yeo said at the announcement of the Kangaroos’ World Cup squad.
“I wouldn’t have put my hand up if I didn’t think I could deliver.”
Yeo confirmed he will have surgery on his pectoral muscle at the conclusion of the World Cup and aim to be back on the field in the early rounds of 2027.
Sharks playmaker Braydon Trindall is facing a 4-5 month recovery period after having surgery on his shoulder.
Trindall dislocated his shoulder while scoring a try in Round 24 against the Raiders but initially put off surgery so he could return to play four weeks later, battling through two finals fixtures.
Trindall’s teammate Toby Rudolf has undergone knee surgery and is facing 3-4 months on the sideline after having an MCL reconstruction.
Samoa enter the World Cup without powerhouse Payne Haas as he undergoes surgery on his hand after playing through the pain of a tendon issue through 2026.
Haas is expected to be fit for a move to South Sydney to start pre-season training at his new club….PACNEWS
PAC – FOOTBALL: OFC PACNEWS SPORTS: Fri 23 Oct 2026
Twenty years of beach soccer history set for another chapter in Tahiti
PAPE’ETE, 23 OCTOBER 2026 (OFC)—Twenty years on from its inaugural edition in 2006, the OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup returns to the sands of Tahiti this week for its ninth staging.
The region’s leading beach soccer teams will compete for the trophy from 24-31 October at Aorai Tini Hau in Pirae, where the winner will qualify for FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2027.
Following the withdrawal of Papua New Guinea, four teams will play each other once in a round-robin format, before the top two in the standings contest the final and the third- and fourth-placed teams meet in a play-off. All eight matches will be available to watch live and free on OFC’s YouTube channel.
The coaches and captains gathered at Aorai Tini Hau to give their thoughts ahead of the start of the competition.
New Caledonia
Returning to the OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup for the first time since 2019, New Caledonia have finished inside the top three in both of their previous tournament appearances and take a promising squad to Tahiti.
“Our greatest strength is our unity and belief in what we’re doing,” says coach Ludovic Wakanumune. “That’s what the boys who have come here for this tournament bring to the team.”
Germain Haewegene is one of three national team football representatives in the squad and is a star for OFC Pro League club Tahiti United. They may not be favourites, but New Caledonia could be dark horses.
“The biggest challenge is trying to win this tournament, knowing that we don’t have a beach soccer tournament back in New Caledonia. To those back home and here in Tahiti, please support us. As you’ve seen, there is a trophy to win.”
Solomon Islands
The inaugural winners of the OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup in 2006, the Solomon Islands have won four titles, but haven’t lifted the trophy in 13 years, losing each of the last three finals to Tahiti.
“Tahiti is our main target. They are the current champions, and the team we want to finally get past this year,” says head coach James Naka.
Naka is the all-time top goalscorer in OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup history and has also been involved in every edition of the tournament, including seven as a player, and now his second as a coach.
“Back in the Solomons, all the fans expect us to win. We are here on a mission to compete for the title, and we’ll do our best.”
Tahiti
Oceania’s most successful beach soccer nation on the world stage, Tahiti are tied with the Solomon Islands for four OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup titles and have reached the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup™ final twice.
“Everyone will try to raise their game against us, so I don’t think there are any easy opponents,” says head coach Raimana Li Fung Kuee. “Our biggest challenge right from the start will be winning that first match.”
The Tiki Toa haven’t lost a match at the tournament since 2011 and have won each of the last three titles. Playing in front of their fans, they’ll be chasing a record fifth continental crown and qualification for a ninth World Cup.
“Come out in large numbers to support us. Come and help us qualify for our ninth World Cup and write another chapter in the history of French Polynesian beach soccer.”
Vanuatu
Finalists in each of the first three editions of the OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cups, it’s been seven years since Vanuatu last graced the international beach soccer stage.
“We’ll try to come back where we left off and set a baseline in beach soccer which we can build from in the future,” says head coach Terry Malapa.
“Preparation didn’t go to plan with many players involved in other competitions, but we’ve managed to get a team together.”
Malapa has selected a squad of players with a variety of backgrounds, across 11-a-side football and futsal, many of whom have also represented Vanuatu national teams at other OFC and regional tournaments…. PACNEWS
PAC – BASKETBALL: FIBA PACNEWS SPORTS: Fri 23 Oct 2026
Levy and Samoa Target Qualification and a Statement Performance
PAPE’ETE, 23 OCTOBER 2026 (FIBA)—After falling just short at the 2023 Pacific Games, Samoa arrive ready to lift their standard, backed by new talent and Levy’s steady leadership.
PAPEETE (Tahiti) – Samoa arrives in Tahiti with purpose. After finishing fourth at the 2023 Pacific Games and claiming bronze at the 2022 FIBA Polynesian Cup, the men’s program has built a steady foundation, and this year’s squad believes it’s ready to climb again.
For veteran guard Ratu Levy, the campaign represents both continuity and evolution. Having represented Samoa in basketball and 3×3, he’s one of the team’s most adaptable leaders, someone who understands how different formats sharpen different parts of the game.
“Understanding and adjusting to different styles of play from basketball to 3×3 has really helped my game,” Levy said. “It’s taught me how to read situations faster and lead in different ways.”
This year’s roster blends returning experience with emerging talent, a mix Levy says has energised the group.
“It’s a great opportunity to play with some new talent and see the development of the younger ones in the squad. They’ve brought a lot of excitement into our preparation.”
Samoa’s broader ambition is to build momentum, depth, and a pathway that lasts beyond one tournament cycle.
“The goal is to qualify for the Pacific Games. But ultimately, I’d love to see Samoa competing in broader competitions. With Samoa Basketball Federation focusing on youth development, hopefully the next generation can take us even higher, but we have to set the standard and foundation now.
That standard was sharpened by the narrow miss in Honiara in 2023. Falling just short of the podium has stayed with the group, and Levy says it fuels their approach to Tahiti.
“Finishing fourth at the Pacific Games means we have unfinished business,” he said. “If we qualify, it means we did our job, and at the Pacific Games next year, the goal is to get that gold.”
For Levy, the motivation behind the jersey remains simple and deeply personal.
“I love the game, I love my country, and my family and friends who support us every tournament. I always take pride in representing Samoa and never take it for granted.
With a refreshed squad, a clear pathway, and a leader who embodies the pride of the program, Samoa enters the 2026 FIBA Polynesian Cup ready to make a statement, and determined to return to the podium.
Men’s teams from the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Tahiti (host) have already qualified for the Pacific Games 2027, with the top two placed teams at the FIBA Polynesian Cup 2026 to also secure their spot….PACNEWS
PAC – BASKETBALL: FIBA PACNEWS SPORTS: Fri 23 Oct 2026
Ulberg Ready for New Challenge as Samoa Eyes Growth in Tahiti
PAPEETE, 23 OCTOBER 2026 (FIBA)—For Ulkalani Ulberg, the upcoming FIBA Women’s Polynesian Cup represents another opportunity to wear the colours of Samoa and continue a sporting journey that has already taken her across multiple codes.
Having previously represented Samoa in 3×3 at the 2023 Pacific Games, Ulberg will take another step forward in Tahiti as she joins a national team eager to showcase its development on the regional stage.
The versatile athlete arrives with experience in rugby, netball and basketball, a background she believes has helped shape both her confidence and competitiveness.
“Getting involved in these different sports has taught me so much,” Ulberg said. “Each sport brings different strengths. It has helped me build confidence and push through challenges. No matter what sport I’m playing, I always stay open to learning and enjoying the competition.”
That willingness to embrace new challenges has been reinforced by a sporting environment that has surrounded her from an early age. Raised in a family where sport has always played a central role, Ulberg credits that upbringing for helping shape her mindset and approach to her first FIBA Women’s Polynesian Cup.
“Growing up in a sporting family has always motivated me to work hard and push myself. Sports has always been a big part of my environment. Going into this FIBA tournament, I just want to give my best, represent Samoa and make my family proud.
While individual milestones are significant, Ulberg is equally excited about what this Samoa group can achieve together. Preparations for Tahiti have centred on building connections across the squad, with players bringing different experiences and strengths into the program.
For Ulberg, that chemistry could become one of Samoa’s biggest assets throughout the tournament.
“What stands out to me is how everyone brings something different to the table,” she said. “We’ve been building a strong connection during preparations and supporting each other on and off court. I think that team chemistry will be much needed for us in this tournament.”
As Samoa prepares to test itself against the region’s best, the tournament presents another chance to demonstrate the progress of the women’s programme and lay foundations for the future.
Representing her nation remains the driving force behind Ulberg’s ambitions.
“Representing Samoa means a lot to me and I want to make my family and nation proud. I hope we can show our hard work, compete at a high level and prove that Samoa belongs on this stage.”
For Ulberg and Samoa, the goal in Tahiti extends beyond results alone. It is an opportunity to continue building belief, gain valuable experience, and show the growth of a programme determined to keep moving forward.
Women’s teams from the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Guam, Papua New Guinea, and Tahiti (host) have already qualified for the Pacific Games 2027, with the top two placed teams at the FIBA Women’s Polynesian Cup 2026 to also secure their spot.
The 2026 editions of the FIBA Polynesian Cup and FIBA Women’s Polynesian Cup have tipped off in Toahotu, concluding with medal matches on Saturday 24 October …PACNEWS
PAC – BASKETBALL: FIBA PACNEWS SPORTS: Fri 23 Oct 2026
Last Dance at Home: Family and Community Fuel Ariirimarau Meuel’s Tahiti Dream
PAPEETE, 23 OCTOBER 2026 (FIBA)—For Ariirimarau Meuel, representing Tahiti has always meant more than stepping onto a basketball court. It means wearing the colours of his home, representing his people and sharing the journey with the family and community who have supported him along the way.
In a region where basketball brings communities together and national pride runs deep, the opportunity to compete on home soil carries special significance. For Ariirimarau Meuel, the prospect of representing Tahiti in front of his loved ones was powerful enough to change a decision he had already made.
“To be honest, I was ready to retire from basketball after 2023,” he said. “Some friends and members of my family convinced me to keep playing until 2027, and playing in front of my family and my friends is a huge motivation for me. It will be a perfect farewell to the Tahitian basketball family.”
Their encouragement gave him a new goal: the chance to represent Tahiti at the 2027 Pacific Games on home soil, surrounded by the people who mean the most to him.
“My connection to this team has never changed. Representing Tahiti still means everything to me. I grew up watching the players who came before us, dreaming of wearing these colours, and every time I put on this jersey I feel that same pride. To finish my journey at home, in front of my family, my friends and our community, would mean more than any medal. It would be a moment I carry for the rest of my life, and a way to thank everyone who has supported me from the beginning.
Representing Tahiti has always held a special place in Meuel’s heart. Growing up, he watched the generations of players who came before him, dreaming of one day wearing the national colours himself.
“Playing for Tahiti has always been one of the top goals on my list. I was very honoured when I got selected the first time, and I’m still honoured and feel the same excitement today as I did the first time.”
That pride has carried him through years of international basketball, beginning with his Pacific Games debut at 23 years old in 2011, then again in 2015, continuing through Tahiti’s Polynesian Cup victories in 2018 and 2022, and extending to the Pacific Games stages of 2019 and 2023.
Yet for Meuel, the opportunity to compete at home carries a meaning that extends far beyond individual achievements.
A Team, a Community, a Shared Dream
As Tahiti prepares to welcome its Polynesian neighbours, the upcoming tournament offers more than an opportunity to defend a title. It marks another step towards the 2027 Pacific Games, when the nation will once again host the region’s biggest multi-sport event.
Meuel hopes the current team can replicate the nation’s historic gold medal triumph on home soil at Pacific Games in 1995, creating another unforgettable moment for the Tahitian community. Tahiti has since claimed bronze in 2011 and 2015, followed by silver in 2019. Now, the ambition is to bring home gold.
“We are missing one medal colour, the most beautiful one. Hopefully we can replicate what the team in 1995 has done, especially at home in front of our families and friends.”
That ambition is shared across the team, where Meuel and his fellow experienced players are helping prepare the next generation for the challenges ahead.
Alongside the coaching staff, they are encouraging younger teammates to embrace the physical demands of international competition while remembering what makes the experience special.
“At the end of the day, it is just a game of basketball. Have fun and enjoy the moment because time goes by very fast.”
It is a message shaped by his own journey, recognising that the opportunity to represent one’s country, particularly in front of loved ones, is something to be treasured.
While the 2027 Pacific Games remain the ultimate goal, Meuel sees this year’s FIBA Polynesian Cup as an important opportunity to measure Tahiti’s progress against its regional neighbours. He acknowledges the challenges ahead, but his belief in the team and the people around him remains unwavering.
“This tournament is a little test to see where we stand with the other countries in the Pacific. We are going to use this tournament to keep working and preparing for 2027. I know it’s going to be a very hard task, and that we are not the favourite team, but I trust the boys on this team, the coaches and the staff. I know the team will give everything it’s got on the court and make the Tahitian people proud.”
For Meuel, that sense of pride is ultimately what makes the journey worthwhile.
The family and friends who encouraged him to continue playing may now have the opportunity to watch him close his international basketball journey where it matters most: at home.
And as Tahiti prepares to defend its Polynesian Cup crown, Meuel’s story is a reminder that some of basketball’s most meaningful victories are not measured in medals, but in the connections, memories and communities that make the game special.
Men’s teams from the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Tahiti (host) have already qualified for the Pacific Games 2027, with the top two placed teams at the FIBA Polynesian Cup 2026 to also secure their spot……PACNEWS
PAC – BASKETBALL: FIBA PACNEWS SPORTS: Fri 23 Oct 2026
American Samoa Women Ready to Blend Youth, Experience and Warrior Spirit at the Polynesian Cup
PAGO PAGO, 23 OCTOBER 2206 (FIBA)—The American Samoa Women’s National Team will arrive in Tahiti with a renewed identity and a roster that reflects both the programs history and its future.
After winning the Pacific Games in 2019 and finishing fourth at the FIBA Women’s Polynesian Cup in 2022, the team enters this year’s tournament with a fresh blend of young talent and experienced leadership.
Assistant Coach Falaileato Suiaunoa brings significant experience to the programme, including time coaching in the NCAA with the Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Her background in the collegiate system has shaped her approach to player development, preparation and team culture, giving American Samoa a valuable perspective as it continues to build its women’s pathway.
“Our program has many new young talented players along with a diverse group of older mature players with collegiate experience,” she said. “We have been working towards developing stronger fundamental skills and adding athleticism to our roster.”
The lessons from the FIBA Women’s Polynesian Cup in 2022, have shaped much of the team’s preparation for Tahiti. Suiaunoa noted that conditioning, fundamentals and team concepts have been major priorities.
This year’s squad includes five players stepping into their first international competition, bringing youthful energy and competitiveness to the group.
“We love the tenacity of our young players and they have a strong spirit of fun mixed with competitiveness,” she said. The more experienced athletes are expected to guide them through the demands of international play.
Preparation has taken place across different environments, with local players training consistently on island and others working independently abroad. Access to school facilities and even outdoor parks has kept the group active.
“We are grateful to have access to our Department of Education school facilities and even local parks when facilities are not available,” Suiaunoa said. “We want to be tough and disciplined defensively and organised and aggressive on offense.”
The team’s identity will be anchored in cohesion, discipline and a collective approach on both ends of the floor. The staff hopes to dictate games through structure, energy and connection.
Beyond results, the team carries a deeper mission, inspiring the next generation of girls in American Samoa and strengthening the pathway for young athletes.
“ Our goal and objective is to create, develop and grow girls basketball on the island. We hope our youth see the heart, hustle and persistent warrior spirit of the Samoan culture in our players and aspire to be one in the future.
“Our players hope to inspire the next generation by showing our youth what strong, hard working, respectable female athletes look like and remind them that anything is possible with faith, determination and family.”
Women’s teams from the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Guam, Papua New Guinea, and Tahiti (host) have already qualified for the Pacific Games 2027, with the top two placed teams at the FIBA Women’s Polynesian Cup 2026 to also secure their spot…. PACNEWS
PAC – BASKETBALL: FIBA PACNEWS SPORTS: Fri 23 Oct 2026
From Opportunity to Impact: Michaelyne Ham Using Basketball to Inspire the Next Generation in PNG
PORT MORESBY, 23 OCTOBER 2026 (FIBA)— For Michaelyne Ham, basketball has become the foundation of a leadership journey that continues to grow with every opportunity. What began on the court has steadily expanded into a commitment to helping young people in Papua New Guinea feel confident, included and supported through the game.
Michaelyne has steadily built her leadership journey through the game, progressing from representing her country on the court to helping create positive change in her community through Basketball For Good initiatives. She said that basketball has shaped her identity in ways she never expected.
“Basketball opened doors for me – it helped me find my voice, and it showed me that I could do more than I ever imagined. I know that opportunities can change a person’s life because basketball has changed mine. I want young people to feel that same confidence.
In 2025, Michaelyne was selected for the FIBA Foundation Youth Leaders Program supported by New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), joining young leaders from across Oceania. The experience was a turning point, providing her with access to the skills and tools to design and deliver community impact projects at home, Aiyura Valley in Obura Wonenara District Papua New Guinea.
“Being part of the Youth Leaders Program made me realise I wasn’t alone,” she said. “We all wanted to help our communities, and learning how to do that through basketball gave me confidence.”
The same year, she also represented Papua New Guinea at the FIBA Women’s Melanesian Cup, continuing her growth as both an athlete and leader. Having previously spoken of her dream of representing Team PNG alongside her sister, the opportunity reflected years of dedication to the sport and her ongoing commitment to pursuing excellence on the court.
These experiences culminated in Michaelyne’s participation in this year’s Basketball For Good Facilitators Workshop in Fiji, where Youth Leaders from across the region came together to learn how basketball can be used as a vehicle for education, inclusion and social impact.
Building on the foundations established through the Youth Leaders Program, the workshop equipped participants with practical tools to deliver meaningful programs in their own communities.
Reflecting on her journey, Michaelyne says each opportunity helped strengthen her confidence and belief in her ability to create change.
“Meeting other young leaders, sharing ideas and learning from different experiences showed me that I have a voice and that I can make a difference.”
The connections she formed across Oceania also broadened her understanding of how communities can use basketball to tackle challenges and create opportunities for young people.
Rather than keeping those lessons to herself, Michaelyne has returned home determined to put them into action. Drawing on what she learned through regional programs, she is focused on promoting inclusion, teamwork and leadership while helping create pathways for the next generation of players in Papua New Guinea.
What drives her most is seeing young people discover confidence through the game.
As the world marks International Day of the Girl Child, Michaelyne’s journey highlights the impact of giving girls the chance to participate, lead and grow. From representing Papua New Guinea to becoming a FIBA Foundation Youth Leader and Basketball For Good Facilitator, she embodies the growing influence of young women driving positive change across Oceania.
Her focus now is on ensuring those who follow have the same chance to dream big, and the support to turn those dreams into reality…PACNEWS
