In this bulletin:
1. RUGBY LEAGUE — Storm shock as forward suffers suspected stroke
2. RUGBY LEAGUE — PNG Chiefs coach reveals NRL recruitment ambitions
3. RUGBY — Radradra: I’m ready to play for Fiji
4. BASKETBALL — New Partnership announcement – Basketball For Good in Palau
5. RUGBY LEAGUE — Air Niugini introduces Airbus service to boost travel for Chiefs’ matches
6. RUGBY — Fijian Drua challenge denied
7. RUGBY LEAGUE — Dolphins outplay PNG Hunters
8. RUGBY — All Blacks star Williams in hospital with spinal infection
9. RUGBY — Wallabies and Wallaroos confirm historic Tests for Canberra
10. RUGBY — Sides locked in for epic three-event HSBC SVNS World Championship Series
11. RUGBY — World Rugby opens 2026 player welfare research funding applications
AUST – RUGBY LEAGUE: AAP PACNEWS: Tue 31 Mar 2026
Storm shock as forward suffers suspected stroke
MELBOURNE, 31 MARCH 2026 (AAP)—The Melbourne Storm have been rocked with prop Tui Kamikamica in hospital following a suspected stroke.
The Fiji-born 31-year-old had a medical episode on Monday and was rushed to hospital, with the club confirming the shock diagnosis.
“He has undergone treatment for a suspected stroke and is recovering in hospital,” the club said in a statement.
“Tui is receiving the best possible care and is being supported by hospital specialists, alongside the club’s medical staff.”
Kamikamica’s immediate playing future is unclear.
The Storm had already lost fellow forward Eliesa Katoa for the season after he required brain surgery due to bleeding on the brain following a series of head knocks while playing for Tonga last November.
Coach Craig Bellamy said in a recent interview he wasn’t sure if 26-year-old Katoa, who is still with the club, would be able to play in the NRL again.
Fiji captain Kamikamica played for Melbourne in Saturday night’s tight NRL loss to North Queensland, coming off the bench for 25 minutes of game time.
The team travelled back from Townsville on Sunday after giving up a 10-point lead to suffer back-to-back defeats for the first time since the start of the 2025 season.
Kamikamica, who has a young son also called Tui, was linked to the UK Super League before signing a deal to remain with Melbourne for the 2026 season.
With Nelson Asofa-Solomona leaving the club to pursue a boxing career, he has become a linchpin in the Storm’s forward pack.
Making his NRL debut with Melbourne in 2017 and playing 142 matches including their last two grand final losses, Kamikamika has regularly spoken of his strong ties to his homeland.
The Storm are planning to travel to Sydney on Thursday afternoon ahead of their Good Friday clash with unbeaten Penrith at CommBank Stadium. …. PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY LEAGUE: AAP PACNEWS: Tue 31 Mar 2026
PNG Chiefs coach reveals NRL recruitment ambitions
SYDNEY, 31 MARCH 2026 (AAP)—The inaugural coach of the PNG Chiefs has declared he has no interest in signing mercenaries looking for a payday as he left the door open for some of the NRL’s biggest names to join the start-up franchise.
Willie Peters was officially confirmed as the Chiefs’ foundation coach on Monday and will begin assembling the club’s inaugural roster when the Australian finishes up with Hull Kingston Rovers at the end of the current Super League season.
The 47-year-old has spearheaded a period of unprecedented success with Rovers, winning the Challenge Cup, the Super League grand final and minor premiership last year as well as upsetting Brisbane in last month’s World Club Challenge.
Now Peters is looking to translate that into PNG’s first year in the NRL in 2028 and wants to put together a squad that can make an instant impact.
Peters was on the coaching staff of last year’s Kangaroos tour alongside Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo, who are both off contract at the end of 2027.
Asked if the Penrith duo were attainable targets, Peters said: “I have to be mindful not to talk too much around recruitment now that they are contracted to other clubs.
“I spent time with them in the Ashes with the Kangaroos and they were exceptional.
“I don’t want to talk specifically about those two players, but more in general around the mentality of the players we want.
“We want guys always seeking to be a better player and to want to be a leader and those types of things … At the right time, if players want to talk to the Chiefs, then I’m sure (PNG football manager) Michael Chammas will be on the phone.”
Melbourne five-eighth Cameron Munster also comes off contract at the end of the 2027 season.
Peters insists he wants people joining the Chiefs for more than just the tax-free salaries on offer given players and their families are expected to live together in a resort village in Port Moresby.
Peters admired how Penrith built a tight bond during the COVID-19 bubble in 2021 that led to their first premiership under the stewardship of Ivan Cleary.
“My wife wouldn’t be coming over and being all-in just because of tax-free money,” Peters said.
“It’s because of the impact that we believe that we can help have on the country and the rugby league team over there.
“The players and staff we get, we want them to be similar … We want those final decisions not based around what you’re making, it’s going to be based around how we impact the country in a positive way.”
Peters is eager for his squad to have a local flavour, adamant the Chiefs cannot hope to enjoy sustained success if they do not recruit Papua New Guineans.
Since the inception of the Queensland Cup side the PNG Hunters in 2014, only one player – ex-Melbourne and Wests Tigers centre Justin Olam – has played regularly in the NRL.
“I always said when I got an opportunity with an NRL club, I want to have a junior base,” Peters said.
“I want to be able to have a development pool of players where there is talent coming through. It’s untapped over there from what I believe.
“There’s players over there that don’t get seen and our job now is to make sure that we’re getting the eyes on every young Papua New Guinean player to give them a pathway to play for the Chiefs.” he said…. PACNEWS
PAC – RUGBY: FIJI SUN PACNEWS: Tue 31 Mar 2026
Radradra: I’m ready to play for Fiji
SUVA, 31 MARCH 2026 (FIJI SUN)—Shizuoka Blue Revs wing Semi Radradra is keen to return to the Test match arena with Fiji set for a daunting summer schedule in the inaugural Nations Championship.
The well-travelled former NRL (National Rugby League) star, 33, last represented his country in 2024 with one appearance during their Autumn Nations Series.
Radradra’s last Test match was Fiji’s historic 24-19 triumph against Wales at the Millennium Stadium in which he was sent off.
The former Bristol Bears fl yer could make his long-awaited return for the reigning Pacifi c Nations Cup (PNC) champions against Steve Tandy’s improving side- who ended their three-year wait for a Six Nations win by beating Italy in the last round- in July.
Fiji launches their Nations Championship campaign at the Cardiff City Stadium on July 4 and then take on England in Liverpool seven days later.
They will travel to Edinburgh to face Scotland a week later.
“If they call me, I always put my hand up for the nation,” the Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion told RugbyJP.com.
“I would like to make myself available. At the moment it’s up to the coach to decide what kind of players he wants to select. For me I’m focused on how I play over here and hopefully I’ll get the chance to play for Fiji.”
Radradra, who missed the PNC last year due to injury, has scored four tries this season for Kwagga Smith’s side.
Shizuoka remains in the play-off hunt with a five-point gap between them and underperforming champions Toshiba Brave Lupus who sit sixth with six rounds to go.
“I would like to make myself available. At the moment it’s up to the coach to decide what kind of players he wants to select. For me I’m focused on how I play over here and hopefully I’ll get the chance to play for Fiji.”
The hugely experienced utility-back has played rugby league in Australia and union in England, France and now Japan and believes that Japan’s premier club competition stands up well against other countries.
“League One compares very well to the other leagues I’ve played in. Japanese players, they love to run.
“There’s differences such as there being more emphasis on the point of contact in England. In Japan I need to get lower when I’m tackling.”
Radradra has been reunited in Shizuoka with his former Bristol teammate and Tongan star Charles Piutau who was a major factor in his decision to leave Top 14 side Lyon to move to Japan.
“To play alongside Charles (Piutau) is a privilege. We spent three years together at Bristol. Then I found out he was going to move elsewhere.
“It was an easy decision for me to make to join him here.”
Radradra, who won the European Challenge Cup with Charles and his older brother Siale in England in 2020, has enjoyed success at every level of the game including in sevens.
The former Parramatta Eels won Olympic gold for his country in Japan as part of a star-studded squad which bested New Zealand 27-12 in the fi nal.
“That’s something I will pass down to my kids and my grandkids.
“Winning an Olympic gold medal is the highest level in rugby, certainly in sevens. I will always cherish that day.”…PACNEWS
PALAU – BASKETBALL: ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS: Tue 31 Mar 2026
New Partnership announcement – Basketball For Good in Palau
KOROR, 31 MARCH 2026 (ISLAND TIMES)—The Palau Basketball Federation has joined forces with FIBA Oceania, Basketball Australia and the Australian Embassy in Palau to launch a new three-year “Basketball for Good” partnership aimed at expanding opportunities for young people across Palau.
Building on the success of the 2025 Pacific Mini Games, the initiative will strengthen youth pathways, coaching development and community engagement through inclusive basketball programmes nationwide.
Palau Basketball Federation, FIBA Oceania, Basketball Australia and the Australian Embassy are pleased to announce a new three-year partnership to expand opportunities for young people across Palau through the Basketball for Good programme.
Building on Palau’s successful hosting of the first Oceania edition of the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League during the 2025 Pacific Mini Games, this collaboration represents a step forward in strengthening youth basketball pathways in Palau.
Palau Basketball Federation Secretary General Jubilee Kuartei said, “This three-year partnership represents a significant step forward for basketball and youth development in Palau. It strengthens our ability to empower young people, support and upskill local coaches, and build a sustainable future for basketball nationwide. We are deeply grateful for the investment and commitment shown by our partners, and it is a true privilege to collaborate with a global leader in women’s basketball like Basketball Australia in advancing women’s basketball and using basketball for good. We sincerely thank the Australian Government, Basketball Australia, and FIBA in Oceania for this opportunity. Personally, I am especially excited about the She Hoops program and what it will mean for the next generation of girls in Palau.”
Through the combined expertise of all partners, the program will deliver inclusive, high-quality training and participation opportunities for young people of all backgrounds.
With basketball already one of Palau’s most loved sports, the program aims to broaden access even further through activities aligned with the Palau National Youth Policy 2023-2027, supporting national priorities to empower young people through participation, leadership and healthier communities.
FIBA Oceania Executive-Director Amanda Jenkins said, “We are excited by this new partnership between Palau Basketball, Basketball Australia and the Australian Embassy in Palau in order to continue offering development opportunities which will Empower National Federations. We saw firsthand the love of basketball, in particular 3×3 basketball, last year during the Pacific Mini Games and we look forward to how this partnership can develop the next crop of basketball stars for Palau.”
In addition to strengthening youth engagement, the partnership will invest in training for local coaches, helping to enhance coaching skills, ensure high-quality program delivery through the Palau Basketball Federation, and support the long-term growth and sustainability of Palau’s basketball sector.
She Hoops’ Australian National Ambassador, Naismith Hall of Famer and Opals’ legend Lauren Jackson AO OLY said, “Following on from the success of Palau’s Kierra Kedengel Ketebengang as an inaugural She Hoops Leadership and Confidence scholarship participant, we are excited to bring She Hoops to Palau for the first time. Basketball is already incredibly popular in the Pacific, and we know this 3-year program will only strengthen it and further develop next generation leaders in sport. We commend DFAT, Palau Basketball and FIBA for establishing this fantastic partnership.”
Over the next three years, the partnership will support:
*A She Hoops youth basketball clinic in Palau
*A workshop for local coaches
*Expanded delivery of 3×3 programmes across Palau
*Provision of basketball equipment to support community programs
Australian Ambassador Toby Sharpe said, “Sport strengthens the people-to-people connections that anchor our region’s most resilient partnerships. Australia values its enduring relationship with Palau, and we are proud to support initiatives that empower young people and foster the next generation of Pacific leaders”.
Together, all partners are committed to supporting youth development, promoting wellbeing and contributing to the long-term growth of community basketball in Palau……PACNEWS
PNG – RUGBY LEAGUE: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS: Tue 31 Mar 2026
Air Niugini introduces Airbus service to boost travel for Chiefs’ matches
PORT MORESBY, 31 MARCH 2026 (THE NATIONAL)—Air Niugini is working closely with the Papua New Guinea Chiefs to ensure fans enjoy watching the team’s home-and-away matches, beginning with the introduction of the Airbus A220 to its Cairns and Sydney route.
Chief executive Alan Milne said the Chiefs’ entry into the National Rugby League in 2028 would boost tourism, with direct flight opportunities for travellers.
“We are excited with PNG Chiefs entry (into the NRL),” Milne said.
“We had a meeting with PNG Chiefs chief executive officer (Lorna McPherson) to see what we can do between Air Niugini and the Chiefs, not only for Papua New Guineans to go and watch their team playing in Australia but, also, the other way,” he said.
“It’s a great opportunity for Australians to experience Papua New Guinea; this is the perfect opportunity to do it.”
Queensland’s assistant tourism minister Bree James said this was a big step forward in strengthening Queensland’s connection between Cairns and PNG.
“We are all big footy fans and we know football is on the horizon with the new PNG Chiefs,” she said. “Who doesn’t love a brand new aircraft as well … with all the latest technology.
“It’s going to increase that experience for travellers to and from Cairns and PNG.”
Milne said: “We encourage everyone to jump on and come look at the beauty of what is Papua New Guinea.”
Meanwhile, James said the Port Moresby-Cairns service opens the door for onward travel, connecting visitors to Queensland and achieving the state’s Destination 2045 plan.
She said this route would be key to connect athletes, fans and officials to Brisbane for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games….PACNEWS
PAC – RUGBY: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS: Tue 31 Mar 2026
Fijian Drua challenge denied
AUCKLAND, 31 MARCH 2026 (FIJI TIMES)–While Fijian Drua may have lost 15-40 to the Blues last Saturday, head coach Glen Jackson was outspoken on his side not being able to perform their traditional challenge prior to kick-off.
Jackson lamented the absence of the performance and described it as a “little bit of a grumble” when asked by journalists after the match.
“Yes, well, we got told last night (Friday night) which was obviously a bit of a grumble I think, for such an occasion,” Jackson pointed out.
The occasion in question was the tribute accorded to the late Fijian winger Joeli Vidiri, who played for the Blues in 1996-2000 and in whose memory and honour a trophy named after him was contested for and won by the Blues.
“I think Super Rugby Pacific is about incorporating what the Pacific brings and obviously we haven’t been able to do it,” he said.
“I’ve got a few grumbles with how heat protocols are going on in Fiji; we haven’t been able to get our game going, we’re not allowed to do ‘Na i-Bole’ there either because it’s too hot.”
He added the team was unable to perform it last week against the Reds at Churchill Park, however, according to him, the temperature on game day then had been 28 degrees Celsius.
As for the Blues match, the team was unable to perform it on the field, which meant it was performed in their change room and ultimately filmed for posterity and uploaded to their official social media platforms on Meta (formerly Facebook) and Instagram.
In the video, Frank Lomani led the side in their performance, a battle chant that has not been broadcasted on live television since their round one clash in Lautoka against Moana Pasifika last month.
In that match, heat stoppage protocols in line with World Rugby regulations had prompted the removal.
At the Four R Stadium, Govind Park in Ba in their clash against the Brumbies, the Drua did not perform it either.
The team heads to Christchurch this week to face the Crusaders at 6.05pm on Friday…. PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY LEAGUE: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS: Tue 31 Mar 2026
Dolphins outplay PNG Hunters
BRISBANE, 31 MARCH 2026 (THE NATIONAL)—The PNG Hunters suffered a terrible blow on Saturday, losing to Redcliffe Dolphins 33-4 at the Kayo Stadium in Round 4 of the Hostplus Cup.
The loss is the Hunters’ third from four games, while the Finns have it three wins from three games.
The Round 4 clash was a tough outing for the visitors, as the Dolphins controlled the match from start to finish.
Dolphins dominated with six tries from Tevita Naufahu (three), and singles from Kyle Coghill, Steven Numambo and Jude Saldanha. The Hunters only got one through Bruce Bawase.
The home side also converted four of their six tries.
From the start, the Dolphins played with confidence and good structure. Their attack was sharp, and they moved the ball well across the field.
They found gaps in the Hunters’ defensive line and took their chances when opportunities came.
On the other hand, the Hunters struggled to match that intensity and often found themselves on the back foot.
Defensively, the Dolphins were also strong. They limited the Hunters’ chances and forced errors at key moments.
The Hunters could not build enough pressure or maintain possession for long periods….PACNEWS
NZ – RUGBY: REUTERS PACNEWS: Tue 31 Mar 2026
All Blacks star Williams in hospital with spinal infection
REUTERS, 31 MARCH 2026 (AAP)—All Blacks star Tamaiti Williams has been ruled out of the rest of the Crusaders’ Super Rugby Pacific season with a spinal infection and is no certainty to return to action in time for the start of the Test season in July.
The 25-year-old loosehead prop is in hospital after being diagnosed with discitis, an infection in one of the discs in his spine, the Crusaders said in a statement on Monday.
His absence is a blow for the defending champions, who are sixth on the table after a slow start.
“His return to rugby beyond (the season) remains unclear and will be guided by further medical advice,” the Crusaders said.
Williams said he had a sore back for a couple of weeks before going in to hospital for scans.
“I’m feeling gutted, but I’m also grateful that the news isn’t as bad as what it could be,” he said.
“I’ve been told I’m going to make a 100 percent recovery, so I’m thankful for that.”
The All Blacks start the Test season in July with matches against France, Italy and Ireland as part of the inaugural Nations Championship.
“Even though my season’s done, I’ve got full faith in the boys that they’re going to get the job done,” Williams said.
“It’s an exciting year for us with the new stadium and a lot of big moments coming up. I’ll be backing the team all the way,” he said …PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY: RUGBY.COM.AU PACNEWS: Tue 31 Mar 2026
Wallabies and Wallaroos confirm historic Tests for Canberra
SYDNEY, 31 MARCH 2026 (RUGBY.COM.AU) —Test match rugby is heading to the Australian Capital Territory with Rugby Australia confirming today the Wallabies (2027) and Wallaroos (2026) will take on two of their oldest Northern Hemisphere rivals at GIO Stadium Canberra.
The Wallabies will play their first Test in the ACT in ten years when they take on world No. 3 Ireland on Saturday, 18 September 2027, at GIO Stadium Canberra, just nine days before Australia’s Rugby World Cup opener against Hong Kong-China in Perth.
The match will be Ireland’s first ever Test in Canberra while the Wallabies have played five Tests at GIO Stadium Canberra between 1998 and 2017, winning all of them, with their most recent match a 45-20 victory over Argentina in 2017.
And the Wallaroos will play their third Test at GIO Stadium Canberra in two years when they face world No. 6 Scotland on Friday, October 23, 2026.
The Wallaroos first played a Test in the nation’s capital in 2008 before returning last May with a 27-19 victory over the USA at GIO Stadium Canberra followed by last Friday’s 33-15 Vuvale Bowl victory over Fijiana.
Tickets for the Wallaroos’ 2026 Test against Scotland are on sale.
Hospitality packages for the Wallabies’ 2027 Test against Ireland are on sale from today, with tickets to be released at a date to be confirmed.
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh said: “The ACT is one of the world’s great rugby nurseries and we are extremely pleased to be taking two huge Test matches to GIO Stadium Canberra in 2026 and 2027.
“The rugby community in Canberra is deeply passionate and holds a great appreciation for international touring teams, as we witnessed last year when the biggest GIO Stadium Canberra rugby crowd in 20 years packed the venue for the Brumbies’ thrilling match against the British & Irish Lions.
“The Wallaroos love playing in front of their loyal fans in Canberra and the Scotland Test should be a very competitive match, with both teams side-by-side on the World Rugby ladder. And the Wallabies are looking forward to playing their first Test match at GIO Stadium Canberra in ten years – and their first ever against Ireland in Canberra – as both teams finalise their preparations for the eagerly-anticipated home Rugby World Cup.
“On behalf of Rugby Australia, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry for their support of Test rugby during an incredibly exciting period for the game in our country.”
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said: “We’re pleased to welcome our national teams, the Wallaroos and Wallabies, back to GIO Stadium Canberra and honoured to be hosting the formidable teams from Scotland and Ireland in these two marquee Test matches in 2026 and 2027.
“We look forward to working with Rugby Australia to stage great events for the fans of all four teams.”…PACNEWS
IRELAND – RUGBY: WORLD RUGBY PACNEWS: Tue 31 Mar 2026
Sides locked in for epic three-event HSBC SVNS World Championship Series
DUBLIN, 31 MARCH 2026 (WORLD RUGBY)—After 10 events across HSBC SVNS, SVNS 2 and SVNS 3, just three tournaments remain as excitement builds to a season-ending crescendo, after which the 2026 HSBC SVNS World Champions will be crowned.
The top 12 men’s and women’s teams – eight sides from the main HSBC SVNS tour joined by four qualifiers from the just-completed HSBC SVNS 2 Series – will compete over a trio of three-day sevens extravaganzas in Hong Kong, Valladolid, and Bordeaux.
Argentina and South Africa’s women’s sides kicked off the sevens season in the third-tier HSBC SVNS 3, won through the HSBC SVNS 2 competitions in Nairobi, Montevideo and Sao Paulo to qualify for the season-ending World Championships. while Brazil pulled off the seemingly impossible in winning their first tournament on home soil in 10 years to grab the fourth and final qualifying spot in the women’s competition in the last match on the last day of the HSBC SVNS 2 Series.
Could they go all the way to the top of the HSBC SVNS ladder in a single season? Standing in the way of any against-all-odds Hollywood-style ending are the eight teams on the main tour, including five-time HSBC SVNS Series tournament 2026 winners and current World Champions New Zealand and great rivals Australia, who won the opening event of the season in Dubai and reached the final at every stop on the tour.
On the men’s side of the draw, HSBC SVNS 2 qualifiers Germany, Kenya, Uruguay and USA will look to upset the eight established main tour sides, notably three-time 2026 Series winners and reigning World Champions South Africa, as well as two-time champions and this season’s permanent podium fixtures Fiji.
After three days in Hong Kong, the HSBC SVNS World Championship Series heads to first-time venues in Europe for a back-to-back double-header in Valladolid, Spain, from 29 to 31 May; before finishing in Bordeaux, France, on 5 to 7 June.
As important as the dream of world title glory will be the prospect of playing on the main HSBC SVNS Series tour next season, with promotion comes the possibility of relegation, meaning intrigue and drama at both ends of the table during the final three-tournament phase of the season.
And when it’s all over, we’ll know not just the identities of the HSBC SVNS World Champions 2026, but which teams will compete in the core HSBC SVNS Series when the new season gets under way later this year, and which ones will face qualifying for the big show via the HSBC SVNS 2 Series.
World Championship Series Teams
Women: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Fiji, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, USA
Men: Argentina, Australia, Fiji, France, Germany, Great Britain, Kenya, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, Uruguay, USA….PACNEWS
IRELAND – RUGBY: WORLD RUGBY PACNEWS: Tue 31 Mar 2026
World Rugby opens 2026 player welfare research funding applications
DUBLIN, 31 MARCH 2026 (WORLD RUGBY)—World Rugby has launched the 2026 player welfare research grant funding application round.
The international federation funds rugby specific research to ensure that the game remains at the forefront of player welfare, advancing knowledge for the benefit of the whole of the game.
World Rugby remains the major funder of rugby specific research anywhere in the world. Research grants are focused on specific player welfare topics where a broader base of research is required.
The full list of topics where World Rugby is most interested in supporting research remains broadly unchanged for 2026 although a focus on knee injuries in the women’s game has been added following discussions at the 2026 Shape of the Game meeting.
The areas of interest are:
*Concussion
*Injury surveillance and prevention at all levels of the game
*Player welfare research in women’s rugby and knee injuries in particular
*Transgender participation
*Anti-doping
*Mental health and substance abuse
*Long-term health consequences of rugby participation
Applications for funding can be made via World Rugby’s funding application portal and must be received by 1st May to be considered for the 2026 cycle. Interested applicants should review the guidance provided on applying to World Rugby for funding.
The 2026 funding call will also see an updated application process from previous years. The Initial application has been replaced with an expression of interest template, in which applicants should prepare a short and targeted overview of the project as well as summaries of what is currently known about the topic area and how the project will expand this and influence player welfare practice or policy in rugby union.
Complete submissions are sent for review by independent academic experts that form World Rugby’s Scientific Committee. The Scientific Committee will consider several factors when assessing expressions of interest such as the project’s novelty, scientific merit, and capability to advance World Rugby’s player welfare mandates. Selected submissions will be invited to submit a more detailed proposal later in the year, and final decisions on funding awards will be confirmed at the end of 2026.
The list of published papers resulting from World Rugby funding can be read here with funded projects back to 2014 available here.
World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin said: “World Rugby continues to be the major funder of rugby specific academic research in the world. It is World Rugby research which has led to recommending a lower tackle height become law in community rugby and smart mouthguards as part of the HIA in our elite game.
“I would encourage any academic or group of academics with ambitions of conducting rugby specific research to consider applying for our research grants. Player welfare is at the heart of everything World Rugby does and we look forward to partnering with academic institutions around the world to advance our collective knowledge.”….PACNEWS