In this bulletin:
1. COMMONWEALTH GAMES — Sports ministers renew Commonwealth cooperation through sport
2. COMMONWEALTH GAMES — Sāmoa and Nauru win medals at Glasgow Commonwealth Games
3. RUGBY — Fiji Drua excited for Mooar given new coach’s high hopes
4. RUGBY — South Africa next for Drua women
5. RUGBY LEAGUE — Chiefs NRL funding touted as nation building for PNG
6. RUGBY LEAGUE — ‘The impact we can have’: Why Lomax is returning with Chiefs
7. ATHLETES — PNGOC clarifies on norms
8. RUGBY — Rugby’s ‘generational talent’ shuns NRL in code war win
9. RUGBY LEAGUE — Dolphins rake eyes first finals after water park ‘ban’
10. RUGBY — All Blacks name bolstered squad for ‘Greatest Rivalry’ tour of South Africa
UK – COMMONWEALTH GAMES: COMSEC PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 28 Jul 2026
Sports ministers renew Commonwealth cooperation through sport
GLASGOW, 28 JULY 2026 (COMSEC)—Commonwealth sports ministers agreed to increase cooperation on sport to bolster access to funding and for development and peace at the 12th Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting in Glasgow, Scotland.
The meeting concluded with the adoption of an ambitious outcome statement, reaffirming ministers’ shared commitment to leverage sport to promote inclusion, sustainable development and stronger cooperation across the Commonwealth.
Ministers called for dedicated funding, stronger partnerships and capacity-building and advocated for greater investment in community sport and physical activity, recognising its role in improving health, supporting young people, empowering women and girls, creating jobs, driving innovation and supporting sustainable economic growth.
In her opening remarks, the Commonwealth Secretary-General,Shirley Botchwey, highlighted sport’s power to improve lives.
“For too long, sport has been viewed primarily through the lens of competition or entertainment. But throughout the Commonwealth, we know that sport is also an investment in people and a powerful force for healthier communities, greater inclusion, stronger economies and sustainable development.
“As we gather in Glasgow, we reaffirm our commitment to harnessing the power of sport to create opportunities for young people, advance gender equality, strengthen social cohesion and build a fairer, more prosperous Commonwealth for future generations. The partnerships and commitments forged through this meeting will help translate that vision into meaningful outcomes for the Commonwealth’s 2.7 billion people,” she said.
Hosted by the Scottish Government, the meeting was chaired by Maree Todd MSP, Minister for Sport.
Emphasising the contribution of sport to our communities, Todd said: “The Scottish Government passionately believes in the power of sport and the 12th Commonwealth Sport Ministers Meeting has affirmed this. Sport not only contributes to a healthier lifestyle, but also improves skills and confidence, addresses social isolation and loneliness, enhances community cohesion, and supports economic growth.
“Sport also drives equality outcomes, and I was pleased to make Scotland a signatory to the Brighton + Helsinki Declaration to re-affirm our commitment to improving access for women and girls in sport. I look forward to progressing this work and closing participation gaps so that everyone can realise the benefits of sport and physical activity.”
The signing of the Brighton Plus Helsinki 2014 Declaration by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Scottish Government marked an important step forward. The declaration supports action to advance women and girls in sport and improve access to leadership, participation and decision-making at all levels. Its adoption reinforced the Commonwealth’s shared commitment to making sport open, safe and inclusive for everyone.
Convened ahead of the 23rd Commonwealth Games, the meeting considered the future of the Commonwealth Games and how major sporting events can be delivered in more sustainable ways. ‘
Ministers described the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as a key opportunity to rebuild confidence in major sporting events, while also recognising the 2027 Commonwealth Youth Games in Malta and the centenary Commonwealth Games in India in 2030 as platforms to support young leaders, strengthen partnerships and bring Commonwealth countries closer together through sport.
The meeting brought together sports ministers, senior officials and representatives from 56 member countries, as well as observers from across the Commonwealth sport movement, including athletes, sporting bodies, youth representatives, civil society and development partners.
The outcomes from the Sports Ministers Meeting are expected to inform discussions at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda in November 2026, the 2027 Commonwealth Youth Games in Malta and the centenary Commonwealth Games in India in 2030….PACNEWS
PAC – COMMONWEALTH GAMES: PMN PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 28 Jul 2026
Sāmoa and Nauru win medals at Glasgow Commonwealth Games
GLASGOW, 28 JULY 2026 (PMN)—Sāmoa is celebrating its first medal of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games after John Lautafi Tafi claimed silver in a dramatic men’s 71kg weightlifting final.
Tafi produced a superb performance in one of the standout contests of the Games, finishing second behind Nigeria’s Joseph Umoafia.
The final also delivered more success for the Pacific with Nauru’s Ezekiel Moses taking the bronze medal.
The trio traded big lifts throughout the competition with both Tafi and Moses breaking Commonwealth Games records during the clean and jerk before Umoafia sealed victory with a Games record combined total of 319kg.
Umoafia’s win sparked emotional celebrations as he collapsed to the platform in relief before being embraced by teammates.
Tafi’s silver is Sāmoa’s first medal of the Glasgow Games and continues the nation’s proud weightlifting tradition on the Commonwealth stage.
For Nauru, Moses’ bronze adds another Commonwealth medal to the country’s rich weightlifting history and strengthens the Pacific’s presence on the medal table.
The latest podium finishes come just a day after Papua New Guinea’s Morea Baru won bronze in the men’s 65kg division. Three Pacific nations have now celebrated medals in Glasgow.
The Pacific’s strong start has reinforced the region’s reputation as a weightlifting powerhouse and the campaign is far from over with more medal hopes still to come in Glasgow.
Nauru’s Margarett Bless Harris will be among the leading contenders in the women’s 58kg final after teammate Jo-Beth Deireragea narrowly missed the podium with a fourth-place finish earlier in the Games.
Sāmoa will also look to build on Tafi’s silver when Anoni Faumui takes to the platform in the women’s 58kg competition, giving the Pacific another strong chance of reaching the medals.
Kiribati’s Ruben Katoatau is another athlete to watch in the men’s 79kg final as he aims to add his country to the medal table.
Elsewhere, Papua New Guinea’s Kevau Baru produced a personal-best total of 225kg to finish sixth in the men’s 60kg weightlifting competition, while Kiribati’s Kaimauri Erati and Fiji’s Apakuki Wakanibua also completed the men’s 65kg final.
The Pacific boxing campaign continues with several fighters in action, including Tonga’s Josh Tonga, Fiji’s Aminiasi Saraitibau, Papua New Guinea’s Kua Gunua Mua, Sāmoa’s Marion Ah Tong, Kiribati’s Tavita Kaoma, Tuvalu’s Pasoni Badi Taafaki, Solomon Islands’ Oswald Talaka and Fiji’s Elijah Qiokata.
Norfolk Island remains the Pacific’s strongest medal hope in lawn bowls, with Ellie Dixon and Christine Jones pushing for a place in the women’s pairs semi-finals after three wins from four matches. Fiji’s Rajnesh Prasad and Cook Islands’ Royden Aperau are also still fighting through the men’s singles competition.
Tonga’s 3×3 basketball teams also continued their strong campaigns, with the men’s side beating Papua New Guinea 12-10 after their upset win over Scotland, while the women’s team secured a 14-10 victory over Singapore.
Pacific athletes remain in action across athletics, swimming and netball, with Tonga’s Tala preparing to face Northern Ireland as teams continue their push towards the finals.
With Papua New Guinea, Sāmoa and Nauru already celebrating podium finishes, the Pacific’s weightlifting teams will be looking to continue their impressive start as the competition enters its next round of finals.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games end on 03 August…..PACNEWS
FIJI – RUGBY: AAP PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 28 Jul 2026
Fiji Drua excited for Mooar given new coach’s high hopes
CHRISTCHURCH, 28 JULY 2026 (AAP)—New Fijian Drua coach Brad Mooar is adamant the side can retain it’s ‘special brand” of rugby after the Crusaders title-winner was confirmed in the job.
The Kiwi will replace former coach Glen Jackson on a two-year deal at the Super Rugby Pacific outfit.
He was part of Scott Robertson’s staff that helped the Crusaders to three-straight titles, before joining Welsh club Scarlets in 2019 and helping Scotland’s 2023 World Cup campaign.
He then returned to Christchurch as an assistant to claim another title last year.
The Drua were admitted to the competition in 2022 and have battled for consistency, while regularly losing top talent to rival clubs.
They beat the ACT Brumbies twice this year – including in Canberra – on the way to five wins and a second-last placed finish, ahead of only Moana Pasifika, who have since been removed from the competition.
“What drew me to this role is the chance to work with such wonderful athletes, to be part of a culture and a people I deeply admire, and to help build something meaningful for the nation,” Mooar said.
“I believe there are enormous opportunities for us to play a special brand of rugby that is successful, entertaining and inspiring.
“We want to inspire the country, win championships and continue to grow our people and the game in Fiji by creating something the country can be truly proud of.”
Fijian Drua CEO Jeff Miller described it as “one of the most important appointments in the short history” of the club.
“We were determined to conduct a genuinely exhaustive process,” he said.
“We received applications from an outstanding group of coaches and were extremely impressed by the quality, experience and different perspectives presented throughout the process.
“Brad stood out through his technical and tactical knowledge, his experience in championship-winning environments, his understanding of player development and, importantly, his ability to build strong relationships.
“He has coached at the highest levels of the game, has led his own professional programme and understands what is required to develop a clear Fijian rugby identity and create a consistently successful high-performance environment,” he said……PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY LEAGUE: AAP PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 28 Jul 2026
Chiefs NRL funding touted as nation building for PNG
CANBERRA, 28 JULY 2026 (AAP)—The PNG Chiefs’ arrival in the NRL is only one part of a broader, longer-term plan to transform the social outcomes within Papua New Guinea, a member of the Australian Rugby League Commission says.
The Chiefs will make their much-anticipated entrance into Australia’s premier rugby league competition in 2028 and have been significantly backed by the federal government, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese allocating $600 million(US$419 million) across 10 years to the club.
The funding has brought criticism, after tweaks were made to Australia’s tax laws in May’s federal budget, meaning players and staff do not pay tax on their salaries.
However, the Australian Rugby League Commission and PNG Chiefs Pacific strategy general manager Anthony Trimachi says that only $190 million(US$132 million) will go to the club’s establishment, with a significant portion instead going into grassroots initiatives.
“He (PNG Prime Minister James Marape) said, if you want to wear a Chiefs jersey, you need to stay in school,” Trimachi said at the Economics Legislation Committee hearing on Monday.
“Most people may not be athletic enough or talented enough. However, if along the way we can drive positive behaviours, structure, role models, and increase the likelihood that kids stay in schools, that is a fantastic outcome, which will benefit (the nation) overall long term.”
The 10-year funding to the franchise does come with strings, with an unwritten understanding that if Papua New Guinea signs a security pact with China, the club will be scrapped, according to the ABC.
The agreement adds to the increasing battle for influence in the Pacific between China and Australia, which Albanese has made a priority by recently upgrading defence agreements with Fiji and Vanuatu.
Australia also has a bilateral security pact with Papua New Guinea.
Charlotte Blundell from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the funding would help open up economic opportunities by creating about 5000 new jobs, while establishing social impact programmes on gender equality, violence and health.
‘Employment is not as strong as the PNG government would like it to be. So, youth engagement is a huge focus for them,” Blundell said.
“It will give young Papua New Guinean boys and girls something invaluable, which is a pathway, a goal, and a reason to believe that their futures can be bigger.”
Blundell also said that a $120 million(US$83 million) pathway development programme will be established to help strengthen the grassroots talent pipeline and the growth of rugby league across the Pacific. …..PACNEWS
FIJI – RUGBY: FIJI SUN PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 28 Jul 2026
South Africa next for Drua women
NADI, 28 JULY 2026 (FIJI SUN)—The Fijiana XVs will now shift their focus to next month’s two- Test series against South Africa.
The squad is expected to feature majority of theFiji Drua Women players who played in last Saturday’s 34-17 loss to the NSW Waratahs in the Super W grand-final at Govind Park, Ba.
Head coach Mike Legge said the team would take lessons from the defeat as they prepare for Test rugby.
“Honestly, from the match, it’s just learning and building on where we are right now to Test rugby level,” he said.
Legge said the grand-final was probably Drua’s poorest performance of the season.
“I’m just really proud of this group. To get us a home final in front of a packed stadium is historic, so I’m really proud of the girls for getting us this far.”
He said the focus now would be on player recovery ahead of the South Africa series.
“That’s only a couple of weeks away and after that we’ve got about another five Tests,” he said.
“We’ll carry the momentum, we’ll continue to build, but we’ve got to manage some bodies after this and get some good recovery in before we take on South Africa.”
Fijian Drua chief executive officer Jeff Miller said the players deserved a break after a demanding campaign.
The Fijiana XVs are ranked 13th in the world, while South Africa are ranked 10th.
Fiji will host South Africa on August 8 at Suva’s National Stadium before the second Test on August 15 at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
Meanwhile, the Drua women’s team will host their annual presentation night at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa on Denarau on Tuesday.
Fiji Drua general manager commercial Shane Hussein said the event would recognise the contributions of every player in the squad.
“It’s a great time to appreciate and acknowledge the contribution of every single player in the Fiji Drua women’s squad,” he said.
“It will also be a great chance for the girls to enjoy themselves, reflect on how far we’ve come this season and then take a well-deserved break before returning to their rugby commitments.”
The event will be held as the McDonald’s Fiji Drua Presentation Night. Vuvale Restaurants managing director Marc McElrath said McDonald’s Fiji remained committed to supporting the women’s team despite the result in the Super Rugby Women’s final. …PACNEWS
PNG – RUGBY LEAGUE: NRL PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 28 Jul 2026
‘The impact we can have’: Why Lomax is returning with Chiefs
PORT MORESBY, 28 JULY 2026 (NRL)—Zac Lomax inked his name into the Chiefs history book by being the first player to sign a contract on PNG soil after formalising a three-year deal with the NRL expansion club.
Lomax becomes Chief #005 after officially signing his contract at Santos National Football Stadium on Sunday in the presence of his family, PNG Chiefs CEO Lorna McPherson and GM Football Michael Chammas and the local media.
The Australian international and NSW State of Origin star will return to the NRL in 2028 with the Chiefs after switching codes this season to join Western Force.
“I did not think that it (return to NRL) would be so soon, but life changes and circumstances do and it is all for the better,” said Lomax, who began his career as a fullback for the Dragons but has mostly played in the centres or on the wing.
“For me, everything comes for a reason and you go with your heart and gut.
“I am all in and it is obviously in 2028 so with regards to rugby I am still there (with Western Force) for another year and really looking forward to finish the best I can, and compete to the best I can,” said Lomax.
Prior to signing his contract, Lomax sat alongside PNG Prime Minister James Marape and watched Hela Wigmen v Gulf Isou and Port Moresby Vipers v Waghi Tumbe in a Digicel ExxonMobil Cup Round 15 double header.
He later addressed the crowd and announced he was set to sign with the Chiefs, declaring: “We are going to shock the NRL, I am telling you, and I can’t wait to be a part of it”.
Lomax described the opportunity to join the Chiefs as an unbelievable privilege and honour.
“I’m so grateful and humbled,” he said. “When you walk down the streets, travel to and from places, you see how much and what it (rugby league) means to the whole tribe of people, the smiles and what you can create for everyone around.
“Rugby league actually speaks volumes, and it is a different language over here (in PNG), fills my heart with so much joy and pride and my family. I’m privileged to be number #005 here and super pumped and excited.”
“It is really special to have his partner, Kayla Green, and his mum and his dad here,” Chammas said.
“To do this here (in Port Moresby), Zac becomes the first PNG Chiefs player to be announced here in the country, and it is special for everyone.
“We are delighted to have Zac onboard, and everyone knows how phenomenal a footballer he is. He will do wonderful things for this country.”
Lomax and his family toured the PNG Chiefs facilities, including their head office at Santos National Football Stadium, the accommodation for players and coaching staff at Airways and Loloata Island resort.
Lomax said he was also excited by what the franchise plans to do for community.
“It is the impact that we can have on people’s life and this country in particular,” he said.
“It fills me with pride to know that I can make such a huge impact on this nation.
“Just to see the joy and pride that you can create for these people … I am a person first and football player second and that is what I love so much about it. I can’t wait to be part of this nation,” he said …. PACNEWS
PNG – ATHLETES: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 28 Jul 2026
PNGOC clarifies on norms
PORT MORESBY, 28 JULY 2026 (THE NATIONAL)—The PNG Olympic Committee (PNGOC) has reaffirmed that every athlete and official selected for Team PNG to this year’s Commonwealth Games were made through its independent, policy-based endorsement process, applied consistently across all sports.
“For every athlete and official who wears the Team PNG uniform, selection must reflect the same published standards, regardless of the sport,” PNGOC said in a statement.
“This included the selection for the basketball 3×3 programme, from head coach endorsement back in April through to final athlete selection in June. It followed exactly that process.”
PNGOC president Emma Waiwai stated that every nomination that comes to PNGOC is assessed against the same published standards, without exception.
“That is what protects the integrity of the Team PNG uniform for every athlete who wears it,” she said.
According to the statement, national federations nominate their officials and athletes, and PNGOC’s independent justification committee assesses each nomination against the policy’s published criteria before issuing a decision to endorse, provisionally endorse, or not endorse.
“Where a nomination is not endorsed, the nominee has a formal right of appeal – first to the independent PNG sports disputes tribunal and, if required, to the Court of Arbitration for sport,” according to the statement.
“For basketball 3×3, head coach Gavin De La Cruz was endorsed by the committee in April, and the final athlete list was confirmed following a review by the Basketball Federation of PNG last month.
“A team manager nomination that did not meet the policy’s published criteria went through a full, independent appeal, which was heard and decided on its merits by the tribunal.
“The team manager function for the Glasgow 2026 campaign will be carried out by an experienced female member of Team PNG’s general management team, ensuring the squad travels with full administrative and welfare support.”
Waiwai said the PNGOC’s job is to give every athlete the best possible team around them, chosen the same way regardless of sport.
“That is what happened here, and it is what PNG can expect from every Team PNG selection process,” she said…..PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY: AAP PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 28 Jul 2026
Rugby’s ‘generational talent’ shuns NRL in code war win
BRISBANE/SYDNEY, 28 JULY 2026 (AAP)—Treyvon Pritchard will remain in rugby after the “generational talent” knocked back huge NRL interest to instead pursue his Wallabies dreams.
The Queensland Reds back, still just 19 and off contract after next Super Rugby Pacific season, had been courted heavily by the NRL’s Sydney Roosters and newcomers PNG.
But, while the Chiefs were trumpeting the signing of code-hopper Zac Lomax over the weekend, it’s understood Pritchard was knocking back NRL offers and agreeing to a long-term deal with Rugby Australia.
His retention, reportedly until at least 2031, is a massive win for Australian rugby ahead of next year’s home World Cup.
Pritchard faces months on the sideline with a broken ankle suffered at the recent U20s world championships, but could still come into the Wallabies frame as a development player on the end-of-year tour of Europe.
The injury was suffered in an ugly hip-drop tackle that the Reds have since campaigned hard to have banned in re-worded World Rugby laws.
Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh considers Pritchard capable of featuring at the Los Angeles Olympics in rugby sevens.
“These are all opportunities rugby can offer that other sports can’t,” Waugh told AAP last week.
“He’s a generational talent, we’re very keen to secure him in our game for as long as possible.”
The coup follows the Reds’ signing of promising 16-year-old lock Kaiya Tafea, who stands at 204cm and weighs 125kg, on a three-year development deal last week.
Meanwhile two-time rugby sevens Olympian Nathan Lawson will return to the code after a two-year, four-game NRL stint with St George-Illawarra.
Lawson, a key member of the side that finished fourth in Paris, was Australia’s reigning player of the year when he announced his shift to NRL.
He will play in the new European Ultimate Sevens in September, before rejoining the national set-up ahead of the next world series that doubles as an Olympic qualifier.
“Nathan is a proven performer on the international stage and his experience will be vital for our squad as we move closer to the LA Games in 2028,” Rugby Australia high performance boss Peter Horne said…. PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY LEAGUE: AAP PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 28 Jul 2026
Dolphins rake eyes first finals after water park ‘ban’
BRISBANE, 28 JULY 2026 (AAP)—Dolphins hooker Jeremy Marshall-King won’t be running at water parks any time soon but he is running hard towards the first finals appearance of his career.
The 30-year-old has been a key figure in the club’s surge to fifth on the NRL ladder since returning from a freak pre-season knee injury that kept him out of action for the first nine rounds.
“I was with my family and my kids at a water park and slipped. I was just running and my knee gave out and straight away I knew something was up,” he said.
“It is pretty slippery on those things. It was unfortunate but I can’t change it. I was enjoying the day with my kids.”
The phone call to the coach Kristian Woolf to let him know what happened was “nerve wracking”, particularly as he had missed a chunk of pre-season with a broken thumb suffered while playing for New Zealand in last year’s Pacific Championships.
“I got back from that and then this happens. I hated that call,” Marshall-King grinned.
“I will be banned from those (water parks), Woolfy has told me.”
Marshall-King has battled away for 161 NRL games with Wests Tigers, Canterbury and now the Dolphins since making his NRL debut in 2017.
Each September in that time, he has been a spectator of nine finals series, but he wants to be there this year.
“It is hard. I haven’t played finals at all,” he said.
“We have been close the last few years at the Dolphins. It would be nice to take that step into the finals but we have got to focus every week on our job and not look too far ahead.
“But it would be nice to be there. I don’t want to come back to pre-season early. It has been happening my whole career.”
The Dolphins need two more wins to finish in the top eight but Marshall-King said they must not get ahead of themselves. The job against the improving St George Illawarra in Wollongong on Friday night has to be done first.
Woolf’s men have won eight of 10 games that Marshall-King has played since his injury return. He has been one of the most influential players at the club since his arrival in 2023. His career has since kicked off.
“It has changed massively. I have been in my best form coming to this club that gave me an opportunity when Wayne Bennett was here,” Marshall-King said.
“I love it. Everyone lives close to each other and we catch up for coffees and lunches where we build connection. It shows in games,” he said…. PACNEWS
NZ – RUGBY: RUGBY.COM.AU PACNEWS SPORT: Tue 28 Jul 2026
All Blacks name bolstered squad for ‘Greatest Rivalry’ tour of South Africa
AUCKLAND, 28 JULY 2026 (RUGBY.COM.AU)—Moana Pasifika powerhouse Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa is one of several new faces in the All Blacks squad ahead of next month’s tour of South Africa, dubbed ‘Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour.’
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has named the back-rower amongst a trio of potential debutants in the 44-player squad, expanded from their Nations Championship campaign.
22-year-old Tupou Ta’eiloa is coming off a monster year for the side, scoring four tries in 2026.
He is joined by flyhalf Josh Jacomb and prop Siale Lauaki as the other uncapped players.
“This tour will challenge us and demand the very best of us. We have selected a squad that we know is up to the challenge,” coach Rennie said.
“It’s a balanced blend of experienced Test players and a cohort of younger players who will be keen to work hard and showcase their skillset on tour.
“We are thrilled for those players who will have the opportunity to pull on the All Blacks jersey for the first time, and welcome back those who are returning to the group.
Highlanders duo Fabian Holland and Timoci Tavatavanawai are among the returning All Blacks named in the squad.
Holland is set for his first appearance of the year after missing the Super Rugby Pacific season with a shoulder issue.
Ollie Norris, George Bell, Ethan Blackadder, Rieko Ioane and Emoni Narawa are the other capped players named, with Ioane linking up with the All Blacks prior to the Ireland Test.
Hurricanes co-captain Du’Plessis Kirifi remains a notable exclusion, whilst returning flyhalf Richie Mo’unga will likely have to wait for an injury to get a call-up, set to return to New Zealand Rugby via the NPC.
“With eight matches in six weeks, including a four-Test series against the Springboks, this would have to be the toughest tour in rugby. Every player will be required to play their part across this tour, whether it’s preparing to play or helping their mates prepare.
“It will be an intense seven weeks of touring but an excellent opportunity for us to pit ourselves against the current benchmark team in world rugby, and to build connections with each other in a way that only a tour of this scale can do. What we learn about ourselves on and off-field will set us up well for the Rugby World Cup in 2027.”
“The franchise games will provide an opportunity for other leaders in the group to step in as Captain, before Ardie Savea arrives in South Africa ahead of the first Test match. Ardie has carried a massive workload in the last couple of years and we think it is best for him to have an extended break so he can come back ready to lead us into the Test series. We have a number of excellent leaders in our squad who will embrace the chance to captain the side.”
ALL BLACKS SQUAD FOR GREATEST RIVALRY TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA
Forwards
Hookers
Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taueki’aho, George Bell
Props
Ethan de Groot, George Bower, Xavier Numia, Ollie Norris, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Siale Lauaki
Locks
Tupou Vaa’i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Josh Lord, Sam Darry, Fabian Holland
Back Row
Peter Lakai, Simon Parker, Ethan Blackadder, Luke Jacobson, Anton Segner, Ardie Savea (c), Wallace Sititi, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa
Backs
Scrumhalves
Cameron Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Kyle Preston
Flyhalves
Ruben Love, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Josh Jacomb
Centres
Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Anton Lienert-Brown, Timoci Tavatavanawai
Outside Backs
Caleb Clarke, Fehi Fineanganofo, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Emoni Narawa….PACNEWS
