In this bulletin:
1. WEIGHTLIFTING — Weightlifter Eileen Cikamatan out to maintain golden Games haul
2. RUGBY — Bishop hat-trick not enough as Brumbies Women fall in Fijian thriller
3. RUGBY — Hurricanes claim 2026 Super Rugby Pacific title with record victory over Chiefs
4. RUGBY — Pasifika stars help power Hurricanes to record-breaking Super Rugby Pacific title
5. DRUGS FIGHT — Fiji Drua down to final three candidates for head coach role
6. RUGBY — Fiji Rugby unveils Fijian U20 Squad for 2026 JWC
7. RUGBY — We must keep improving: Rauluni
8. SURFING — Glasson: Fiji Surf Pro sets a new bench mark
9. FOOTBALL — OFC Women’s Champions League Team Profile: Hekari Women FC
10. RUGBY LEAGUE — Warrior Roger Tuivasa-Sheck joins Sky Sport’s NRL coverage after season-ending injury
11. RUGBY — Locked and loaded: Schmidt on big Wallabies Lukhan Salakaia-Loto omission
12. FOOTBALL — World Cup’s carbon footprint under scrutiny as Fifa boss racks up air miles
AUST – WEIGHTLIFTING: AAP PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 22 Jun 2026
Weightlifter Eileen Cikamatan out to maintain golden Games haul
SYDNEY, 22 JUNE 2026 (AAP)—History-making Australian weightlifter Eileen Cikamatana will compete for her third-straight Commonwealth Games medal in Glasgow.
The 26-year-old powerhouse is the only Games gold medallist in the 12-person Australian weightlifting team named on Friday.
Cikamatana became the first woman to win Commonwealth Games gold for two countries in an individual sport when she dominated the 87kg event at the 2022 Birmingham edition.
Four years earlier, she won gold for Fiji in the 90kg event at the Gold Coast Games.
In 2019, Cikamatana switched to Australia because of a local dispute involving Fiji’s weightlifting governing body.
She made her Olympic debut two years ago as one of the medal favourites in the 81kg event, narrowly missing on bronze and finishing fourth.
Cikamatana, who was in tears after the near-miss, will lift in the 86kg event at Glasgow.
Ridge Barredo will also compete at his third Commonwealth Games, in the 110kg event.
Kiana Elliott (63kg), Brenna Kean (53kg) and Suamili Nanai (110kg+) are other Birmingham team members going to their second Games.
The seven Games debutants include two women still eligible for junior competition – 19-year-old Ashley Kolomoisky (58kg) and Chloe Perkins (48kg), who is 20.
Isabella Andueza (77kg), Ryven Ewing (88kg), Nya Hayman (69kg), Oliver Saxton (94kg and Rory Scott (79kg) are the other first-time selections…..PACNEWS
PAC – RUGBY: RUGBY.COM.AU PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 22 Jun 2026
Bishop hat-trick not enough as Brumbies Women fall in Fijian thriller
BA, 22 JUNE 2026 (RUGBY.COM.AU)—The ACT Brumbies Women have delivered a spirited performance but ultimately fell to the Fijian Drua, 42 – 25, in a highly entertaining Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s clash at Four R Stadium in Ba, Fiji.
Despite a valiant comeback that locked the scores at halftime, the Brumbies were unable to hold off a late surge from the home side in the testing Fijian conditions.
The Drua started fast, opening the scoring early when Repeka Tove chased down a clever chip into space by Varanisese Qoro, putting the home side up 5-0.
The Brumbies soon found their rhythm and asserted themselves on the contest.
Youngster Georgie Hayes halted a dangerous blindside break by dragging a charging Nunia Daunimoala into touch, turning the tide for the visitors to launch their counter-attack.
Ash Bishop put a deep kick into Drua territory, forcing an error from Litiana Vueti metres from her own line. The Brumbies capitalised from the ensuing scrum, with the ball moving swiftly through the hands for Bishop to cross and tie the game ten minutes in.
The home side quickly regained the lead, going bang-bang when Josivini Naihamu dived over the line before shortly after Sulita Waisega crashed across, extending the Drua’s advantage to 15 to 5 just before the 20-minute heat management water break.
Following the pause, the Brumbies’ defensive pressure forced a Drua line-out error. Launching a blindside move down the left before swinging wide, Palu Sekona gave the final pass for Bishop to slide over for her second try of the afternoon.
the back-and-forth contest continued, Drua striking back through outside centre, Merewairita Neivosa to make it 20 to 10.
The Brumbies, who are developing a harder edge to them in 2026, refused to back down. hard-running Outside centre, Bonnie Brewer, ran a sublime line to beat three players and carry a fourth across the line to bring her side within five points of the Drua as the clock ticked down to the end of the first half.
Moments later, the Drua were reduced to 14 players when Naihamu was sent to the sin bin for a late tackle, and the visitors immediately exploited the numerical advantage. Brilliant backline execution from 50 metres out sent Bishop galloping into open space to streak away for a superb first half hat-trick, locking the scores at 20-all heading into the break.
The visitors started the second half on the front foot, probing the home side’s defence.
Unable to penetrate the line, they elected to take a penalty shot, but Ella Ryan’s attempt dropped just short of the posts. The Drua responded immediately, with slick passing setting up Salaseini Railumu to edge the hosts ahead 25 to 20.
At the 50-minute mark, the Brumbies turned to their bench to inject fresh energy into the Super W contest. Ryan and Ashley Fernandez made way, prompting a reshuffle across the park. Paua Lee Going came on to the wing, Hayes stepped up to steer the team at fly-half, Bishop moved to full-back, and Grace Sullivan joined the locks.
Despite the tactical adjustments, the Drua extended their lead in the 61st minute when Karalaini Naisewa powered over from close range to make it 30 to 20.
A yellow card to the Drua’s Keri Lawavou in the 68th minute offered the Brumbies a crucial opportunity. Tania Naden took immediate advantage of the extra player, scoring from close range to tighten the margin to 30 to 25 and setting up a grandstand finish.
However, the home side managed to close out the match with a late flurry.
A flowing sequence of passes put Tove in for her second try in the 73rd minute, and although Qoro’s conversion attempt dropped short, the Drua’s momentum was difficult to halt. In the 80th minute, Naihamu snatched an interception and raced away to seal the result, with Qoro nailing the final conversion in the 82nd minute to confirm the 42-to-25 scoreline.
The Brumbies will now return to Canberra for a bye in Round 4, before they turn their attention to their last match of the season against the Western Force, to be played out at home, at Viking Park on the 5th of July…PACNEWS
PAC – RUGBY: RUGBY.COM.AU PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 22 Jun 2026
Hurricanes claim 2026 Super Rugby Pacific title with record victory over Chiefs
WELLINGTON, 22 JUNE 2026 (RUGBY.COM.AU)—The Hurricanes have delivered arguably the greatest Grand Final performance in Super Rugby history, defeating the Chiefs 60-5 in Wellington.
The hosts completed a near-perfect season with their finest performance of 2026, blowing away the Chiefs in a one-sided showing for the ages.
Fehi Fineanganofo and Josh Moorby both created history, becoming the all-time record holders for most tries in a single season with 17.
It was one-sided traffic throughout the 80 minutes as the Hurricanes ended a 10-year drought in style, with player of the match Ruben Love contributing 25 points in the rout, the most by a player in a decider.
It’s the biggest ever win in a Super Rugby decider, besting the Bulls’ 61-17 win over the Chiefs in 2009.
The Chiefs were handed a pre-match reprieve as captain Luke Jacobson passed a pre-game fitness test.
But it ended there as the red-hot Hurricanes attack mastered the blustery conditions in a dominant first half.
Moorby opened the scoring in the sixth minute, briefly tying the record for most tries in a Super Rugby season with his 16th.
Flyhalf Love added to the scoring with a classy play eight minutes later, picking up the loose ball and stepping the covering defender for the try.
With the Chiefs struggling to deal with the conditions, twice putting the restart dead, the Hurricanes continued to strike as Fineanganofo officially wrote his name in the record books.
The winger crossed for his 17th of the season after backing up Callum Harkin, swan diving over to the delight of the crowd.
The Chiefs had little answer, with their best chance coming in the 30th minute when they were held over the line.
As the half wound down, the Hurricanes kicked further into gear, with a late Harkin try and a long-range Love penalty completing a near-perfect half, leading 29-0 at the break, the biggest ever in a Final.
This lead only grew as Moorby joined Fineanganofo on top with his second of the night, sharing the record.
Flanker Devan Flanders got in on the fun after running a great line off Love, returning from a layoff due to a concussion.
Centre Jordie Barrett’s try only added to the carnage, capping off his excellent night as Hnry Stadium was well into celebration mode.
But the best try was still to come when number eight Peter Lakai broke clear, leading to a short side raid for Love to deliver some magic.
The flyhalf somersaulted over the defender and somehow stayed in, bringing up 50 and his second for the night.
The Chiefs saved themselves from a slice of history, with Naitoa Ah Kuoi’s late try ensuring they didn’t become the first team to be held scoreless in a decider.
But it was all in vain as Jone Rova capped off an all-time performance with a last-minute try, capping off a special night in the New Zealand capital….PACNEWS
PAC – RUGBY: PMN PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 22 Jun 2026
Pasifika stars help power Hurricanes to record-breaking Super Rugby Pacific title
WELLINGTON, 22 JUNE 2026 (PMN)—The Hurricanes produced one of the most dominant grand final performances in Super Rugby history with their Pasifika stars leading the charge in a crushing 60-5 win over the Chiefs in Wellington on Saturday night.
This was not just a Hurricanes title win. It was a night when Pasifika players dominated the biggest stage of Super Rugby Pacific.
The record-breaking performance of Fehi Fineanganofo, the finishing of Josh Moorby, the power of Asafo Aumua and Peter Lakai, and the impact of Devan Flanders were central to the rout.
In front of a sold-out crowd of about 35,000, the Hurricanes ran in nine tries to claim their second Super Rugby title and their first since 2016, while setting a new record for the biggest winning margin in a final.
It was a night to remember for winger Fineanganofo, who etched his name into the record books with his 17th try of the season and breaking the competition’s single-season try-scoring record.
Fellow wing Moorby later matched that mark with two tries of his own before helping create the Hurricanes’ final score as the hosts ran riot.
The Hurricanes struck first through Moorby after a tense opening spell played in strong Wellington winds.
They quickly took control when first-five Ruben Love pounced on a loose ball and raced away to score under the posts to give the home side a commanding early advantage.
The gale-force Wellington winds threatened to wreak havoc on the kicking games of both sides but the Hurricanes adapted better by keeping the ball in hand to carve open the Chiefs’ defensive lines with surgical precision.
Fineanganofo, of Tongan descent, then delivered one of the key moments of the match.
After slick handling down the left edge, the 23-year-old flyer crossed untouched for his 17th try of the season and move clear of a record previously shared with Moorby, former Brumbies flyer Joe Roff, and former Hurricanes wing Ben Lam.
The Chiefs struggled to cope with the Hurricanes’ speed and accuracy. The the home pack laid the platform through powerful performances from hooker Aumua (Sāmoa), and loose forwards Lakai and Flanders.
Callum Harkin added another try before Love slotted a long-range penalty to send the Hurricanes into halftime with a commanding 29-0 lead.
Any hopes of a Chiefs comeback disappeared soon after the break.
Moorby crossed for his second try of the night to draw level with Fineanganofo on 17 for the season before Flanders powered over as the Hurricanes continued to pile on the pressure.
Midfielder Jordie Barrett added another while Love grabbed his second try with a spectacular finish in the corner as the score passed 50 points.
The Chiefs managed a late consolation through lock Naitoa Ah Kuoi but it did little to slow the celebrations.
The final try also featured Moorby whose brilliant break split the defence before he sent replacement Fijian star Jone Rova away to score and bring up 60 points.
While the scoreline will be remembered for years to come, the performance of the Hurricanes’ Pasifika contingent was equally significant.
Fineanganofo’s record-breaking season ended with another piece of history, while Aumua, Lakai, Flanders and Rova all made major contributions in a grand final that quickly became a one-sided showcase.
For the Chiefs, the defeat marked a fourth straight loss in a Super Rugby final.
For the Hurricanes, it was the perfect ending to a remarkable season and a championship built on flair, power and the influence of some of the Pacific’s brightest rugby talents…..PACNEWS
FIJI – DRUGS FIGHT: FIJI SUN PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 22 Jun 2026
Fiji Drua down to final three candidates for head coach role
NADI, 22 JUNE 2026 (FIJI SUN)—There are three candidates chasing for the Fijian Drua head coach’s job.
Speaking to SUNsports Fijian Drua chief executive officer Jeff Miller said from the 40 applications, they have done the shortlisting and now it’s down to the final three.
He said all applications had to go through the process.
“We’ve got a shortlist in place and it’s down to three now,” he said.
Miller said a six-member panel was overseeing the selection process.
“Trying to get them together at the same time has been a bit difficult, but I’m hoping we’ll be able to wrap something up within the next two weeks.”
Miller confirmed that there were no applications from local coaches.
“In fact, I can’t think of one application that came from a local coach for the head coach’s role. They were all overseas-based, and a lot of Fijians coaching overseas also applied as assistants rather than head coaches.”
Miller said the three coaches in the running were either from New Zealand and Australia.
“One of the main criteria we put in place was that we wanted the head coach to already have an affinity with Fiji, having worked with Fijian players before, so we’re not starting again from scratch.”
Miller said the Drua were keen to include more local representation in the assistant coaching set-up.
“This year we had all foreign coaches on the men’s coaching staff, but we want to have some Fijian coaches as well.”
He said the club was also focused on aligning its programmes with the Fiji Rugby Union.
“That is from the Flying Fijians through to our development pathways and main squad. Getting that alignment means we’re all on the same page, which will only make Fiji rugby stronger over time.”
Miller said Tim Sampson’s vacant assistant coaching position would be filled after the appointment of the new head coach.
“We need to appoint the head coach first, and then the head coach will work with us to put a complementary coaching team around them.
“The head coach may take responsibility for defence or attack, so we’ll build a coaching group that complements their strengths. The head coach will have input into that process.”
He also revealed the Drua has secured the services of a Fijian strength and conditioning coach, who is returning from overseas.
“That person has signed a contract with us and we’ll announce that soon,” Miller said….PACNEWS
FIJI – RUGBY: FRU PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 22 Jun 2026
Fiji Rugby unveils Fijian U20 Squad for 2026 JWC
SUVA, 22 JUNE 2026 (FRU)—Fiji Rugby Union has officially named the Fijian Under-20 squad that will represent Fiji at the 2026 World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Georgia, with the team carrying the hopes of the country and the promise of Fiji Rugby’s future.
Speaking during the team announcement, Fiji Rugby General Manager High Performance, Naca Cawanibuka, described the occasion as a significant moment for the organisation and congratulated all players who earned selection after a demanding campaign.
“Today is an exciting milestone and a proud day for Fiji Rugby as we officially announce our Fiji Under-20 squad for the 2026 Junior World Championship,” Cawanibuka said.
He acknowledged that selecting the final squad was no easy task due to the depth of talent available.
“This squad represents the very best of our pathway system at this point. These players have come through schools rugby, provincial programmes, High Performance academies, professional environments in France, and also pathways in New Zealand and Australia,” he said.
Cawanibuka emphasized the extensive preparation journey, which included the campaign in Coffs Harbour back in February, under the leadership of Head Coach Senirusi Seruvakula, before the team’s recent tour to Cape Town under Head Coach Andrew Tui where they faced South Africa, Georgia and Chile.
He also paid tribute to the wider rugby community that played a role in developing the young players.
“Special recognition must go to the teachers, coaches, provincial unions, clubs, parents and families who have helped shape these young men. The future of Fiji Rugby is heavily invested in their shoulders as they continue their journey towards becoming future Flying Fijians,” he said.
Head Coach Andrew Tui said the final selection was difficult after assessing a 35-member training squad.
“We were looking for physicality and players who could fit into the system and game plan we want to play. It was a tough camp because every player put their hand up for selection,” Coach Tui said.
Coach also confirmed that Isoa Koroinawai will captain the side and described him as a respected leader.
“Isoa is a leader on and off the field. He is a man of few words, but when he speaks, the boys listen and respect him,” Coach Tui said.
Drawn in a challenging pool alongside Australia, France and Spain, Coach Tui believes his players are ready to compete.
“We’re not going there just to participate. Our goal is to win all three matches, test ourselves against the best, and play the Fijian style of rugby our supporters love,” he said.
The team will depart for Georgia on Monday night, with five overseas-based players included in the final squad.
Fijian U20 to the JWC
Marika Koroi (Lamiti Gau, Lomaiviti)
Ratu Osea Dasalusalu (Savu Vugalei, Tailevu)
Jehoshua Ratulomai (Taci, Noco Rewa)
Apenisa Naevo (Nawaka, Nadi, Ba)
Setareki Turagacoke (Dakuinuku, Sawakasa, Tailevu)
Mosese Tabuakoto (Lovoni, Ovalau, Lomaiviti)
Isoa Koroinawai (Yanuca Qamea, Cakaudrove)
Ratu Epeli Roseruvakula (Nasautoka, Wainibuka, Tailevu)
Cale Maurice (Seva, Dreketi, Macuata)
Iskeli Bari (Moala, Nadi, Ba)
Apete Rokosuka (Vunisinu, Dreketi, Rewa)
Sailosi Taka (Namuka, Nakelo, Tailevu)
Maleli Navauvasi (Dratabu, Nadi, Ba)
Sevuloni Satala (Namoli, Lautoka, Ba)
Savenaca Durusolo (Namalata, Tavuki, Kadavu)
Isaac Rauluni (Qarani, Gau, Lomaiviti)
Raymond Navunikaba (Wayalevu, Yasawa, Ba)
Marley Chandra (Wailevu, Taveuni, Cakaudrove)
Savenaca Qabale (Nakama, Wailevu, Macuata)
Ravuamo Samo (Narewa, Nadi, Ba)
Epeli Vocea (Ravita, Vaturova, Cakaudrove)
Netani Lesimaikimatuku (Natokalau, Matuku, Lau)
Tevita Ledua (Bouma, Wainikeli, Cakaudrove)
Timoci Gadolo (Welagi, Taveuini, Cakaudrove)
Sylvester Vakauliafa (Mavana, Vanuabalavu, Lau)
Francis Peters (Navuso, Naitaisiri)
Faimalaga Tuvalu (Dratabu, Nadi, Ba)
Suliano Savenaca (Naselesele, Taveuni, Cakaudrove)
William Tawakedina (Somosomo, Taveuni)
Judah Draiva (Kubulau, Nakorovou, Bua)…PACNEWS
FIJI – RUGBY: FIJI SUN PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 22 Jun 2026
We must keep improving: Rauluni
SUVA, 22 JUNE 2026 (FIJI SUN)—Fiji Under-20 hooker Isaac Rauluni believes the team must continue improving if they are to make an impact at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Georgia from June 27 to July 18.
Despite winning just one of their three warm-up matches during their recent tour of South Africa, Rauluni said the experience has provided valuable lessons ahead of the tournament.
“We’re working on the areas where we fell short. We know the competition will be tough, but we’re preparing ourselves for the challenge,” he told SUNsports.
Fiji has been drawn in a demanding pool alongside Australia, France and Spain, with Rauluni expecting a different level of competition from what the team faced in South Africa.
“We need to build momentum and make sure we’re ready when the tournament starts. Every game will be important,” he said.
One match already stands out for the talented hooker — Fiji’s clash against Australia.
“Australia is the game I’m really looking forward to.
“Having grown up there and knowing a lot of the players, it’s a match I would love to win,” he said.
While his immediate focus is helping Fiji succeed at the U20 Championship, Rauluni also has long-term ambitions of representing the Flying Fijians.
“That’s a dream of mine. My dad and my uncles have been involved in the game, and it would mean everything to wear the white jersey one day,” he said….PACNEWS
FIJI – SURFING: FIJI SUN PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 22 Jun 2026
Glasson: Fiji Surf Pro sets a new bench mark
NADI, 22 JUNE 2026 ( FIJI SUN)—Fiji has been praised for hosting and delivering the 2026 World Windsurf Tour (WWT) Fiji Surf Pro at Cloudbreak.
World Tour Commissioner Simeon Glasson said the event set a new benchmark for the sport, citing its operations, safety standards, and broadcast quality.
“Fiji just ran the best windsurfing event in history, with the best broadcast, the best operations, and the best event organiser team,”Glasson said.
“Every layer of this event belonged to Fiji, and the world knows it.”
The event was organised by Fiji Surf Co, founder and event director Ian Muller.
Muller said local expertise played a central role in the success of the competition.
He said Fijians led water safety operations, reef access management, logistics and conservation efforts throughout the event.
“Every safety operator on the water was Fijian. Every reef boat captain was Fijian. Every conservation and custodianship decision was Fijian,” Muller said.
“The management was Fijian. The logistics were Fijian. The expertise was Fijian.”
Muller also highlighted the economic benefits generated by the event.
He said villages in Momi and Nabilla received direct investment and partnership revenue, while local businesses supplied goods and services, accommodation providers hosted athletes and officials, and Fiji Airways transported competitors and event personnel.
On the water, Hawaii’s Bernd Roediger won the men’s title after an impressive performance in challenging conditions at Cloudbreak.
Australia’s Jane Seman secured the women’s title, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the best-of-three final before sealing the championship.
Competitors from France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia took part in the event.
The competition was staged in demanding surf conditions and attracted some of the sport’s leading athletes….PACNEWS
PNG – FOOTBALL: OFC PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 22 Jun 2026
OFC Women’s Champions League Team Profile: Hekari Women FC
AUCKLAND, 22 JUNE 2026 (OFC)—Twice runners-up, Hekari Women FC travel to Honiara believing this could finally be their year to lift a first OFC Women’s Champions League title.
Ericsson Komeng’s side have finished runners-up to Auckland United FC in each of the past two editions, edged 1-0 in both finals, in Honiara in 2024 and in Papeete, Tahiti, last year.
Both deciders were fiercely contested, and Komeng says the lessons from those narrow defeats have only strengthened his squad’s belief.
“Preparation has been good, and if we meet Auckland United again it would be the fourth time we’ve played them, including a 2-1 loss in the group stage. We’ve learned a lot from those matches, so we hope this time we can get one over them,” Komeng said.
The two sides sit in different groups, and before Hekari Women FC can dream of the title they must first negotiate a demanding Group A featuring Vanuatu champions Tafea FC, Fiji champions Ba Women FC and home hopes Henderson Eels FC. The top two teams will advance to the semi-finals.
“We can’t get ahead of ourselves because first we must get through the group. But if we want to win the tournament, we must be clinical in both attack and defence. Having a talented squad is important, and the experience many of these players gained during the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup Oceania Qualifiers in New Zealand could help them go one better,” Komeng added.
Komeng was referring to the PNG Bilums’ performance against the Football Ferns, when they pushed New Zealand hard before falling to a narrow 1-0 defeat in a match that secured the Ferns’ place at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. 15 Hekari Women FC players were part of the national squad.
One player Komeng believes could prove pivotal is midfielder Mavis Singara. With her tireless work rate, fitness and influence in the middle of the park, she could be central to Hekari’s push for a breakthrough title.
Hekari Women FC kick off their campaign against Tafea FC on Sunday June 28th…..PACNEWS
NZ – RUGBY LEAGUE: PMN PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 22 Jun 2026
Warrior Roger Tuivasa-Sheck joins Sky Sport’s NRL coverage after season-ending injury
AUCKLAND, 22 JUNE 2026 (PMN)—Warriors star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will join Sky Sport’s NRL broadcast team for the remainder of the 2026 season after being ruled out with a serious knee injury.
The Dally M Medal winner will make his debut as an expert analyst on Saturday, 27 June, when the Warriors face the Dolphins.
Tuivasa-Sheck will contribute to Sky’s pre-match, halftime and post-match coverage across the Warriors’ home and away fixtures.
His move into broadcasting follows the knee injury he suffered last month, which has sidelined him for the rest of the NRL season.
Sky’s head of sport content, Gary Burchett, says Tuivasa-Sheck will offer viewers a level of insight drawn from his experience as one of rugby league’s leading players.
“Roger is one of the most respected voices in rugby league, not just for what he’s achieved, but for how he sees the game,” Burchett says.
“This is about adding insight our audience can’t get anywhere else. Roger understands the modern player, the pressure moments, and importantly the detail that shapes the Warriors’ fortunes.”
Tuivasa-Sheck joins a Sky Sport rugby league team that already includes former Warriors captain Shaun Johnson, Monty Betham and broadcaster Laura McGoldrick.
Burchett says the appointment strengthens Sky’s efforts to provide coverage that is current, credible and closely connected to rugby league audiences.
“Roger strengthens that and signals the standard we’re setting for how rugby league is covered on Sky.”
Tuivasa-Sheck will begin his new role from 4.30pm on Saturday, 27 June, on Sky Sport 1, ahead of the Warriors’ match against the Dolphins…..PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY: AAP PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 22 Jun 2026
Locked and loaded: Schmidt on big Wallabies Lukhan Salakaia-Loto omission
SYDNEY, 22 JUNE 2026 (AAP)—Joe Schmidt has explained the shock omission of Lukhan Salakaia-Loto for the Wallabies’ three Nations Championship Tests as a two-pronged call with the World Cup in mind.
The rampaging Queensland Reds lock, as well as Brumbies second-rower and 38-Test veteran Nick Frost, were both missing from Friday’s 37-man squad named ahead of games against Ireland, France and Italy next month.
Instead Schmidt, who will hand coaching duties to Les Kiss after that trio of Tests, has called up rookie locks Lachlan Shaw and Miles Amatosero alongside Josh Canham and Jeremy Williams.
With the hulking Will Skelton out injured it was assumed Salakaia-Loto would fill the role of enforcer, with the likes of James Horwill last month backing the 29-year-old to transfer his barnstorming Super Rugby Pacific form to the Test arena.
But Schmidt, who consulted heavily with Kiss on this squad, wants to see improvements and has given the 45-Test talent a task ahead of next year’s home World Cup.
“Incredible athlete, had some really good moments in Super Rugby, it was just stringing consecutive moments together,” he said in Sydney on Friday.
“We’re looking for him to have a block to get into the best physical shape to contribute to the team.
“We need fast jumping locks. We know he’s got that speed but isn’t quite where we’d like him to be at the moment.
“We’ve got Ireland in two weeks (on July 4) … then in 16, 17 months time it’s going to be massive here in Australia.”
Left out of Schmidt’s Wallabies squad for the British and Irish Lions tour, Salakaia-Loto unleashed brilliant cameos for the Reds, Anzac XV and First Nations Pasifika XV against the tourists, attempting to force his way in.
Test caps eventually came in losses to Argentina and New Zealand before he was injured inside 10 minutes against Japan and featured just once more on the European tour.
The coach said 23-year-old Brisbane junior Shaw’s workrate impressed him and wants to see Amatosero, who spent three years at Clermont Auvergne in France before returning home to Sydney with the Waratahs, at the next level.
“He’s the right size and shape,” Schmidt said of 24-year-old Amatosero.
“For them to get a bit of experience in a window now allows Les a broader selection group.”
Brumbies playmaker Declan Meredith, who played his junior football in Cairns, is the third uncapped member of the squad.
Veteran prop James Slipper, after retiring last November, could surpass All Blacks great Sam Whitelock as rugby’s second most-capped player in history after answering an SOS call from coach Joe Schmidt.
Fellow loosehead Angus Bell also features following a season-long sabbatical with Ulster in Ireland while French-based tighthead Taniela Tupou could play against Ireland if his Racing 92 outfit loses their Top 14 semi-final this weekend.
“It cost me a coffee,” Schmidt said of luring Slipper back at 37.
“There’s an old dog … great to lean on and he’s a known quantity and leader in the group, which we lacked a bit during last season (after injuries hit).”
Reds centre Hunter Paisami was included despite missing the late stages of the season with a knee injury and could be fit to face Ireland, according to Schmidt. Queensland fullback Jock Campbell’s form has him within reach of a Wallabies recall, having last played for his country back in 2022. Scrumhalf Tate McDermott and fullback Tom Wright, who will compete with Campbell for the No.15 jersey, also return having missed the back end of last year’s campaign with injury.
Kalani Thomas and Ryan Lonergan are the other scrumhalfs in the squad while Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson will jostle with Meredith for the No.10 jersey.
UK-based pair Len Ikitau and Tom Hooper, like Tupou have also been selected, with all three set to feature in domestic finals matches this weekend and Schmidt said they could still face Ireland.
“They’re absolutely flying,” he said.
After facing Ireland, the Wallabies travel to Brisbane to play France at Suncorp Stadium on 11 July, before taking on Italy in Perth the following Saturday.
Veteran half Jake Gordon, the code-hopping Zac Lomax, flyhalf Tom Lynagh and former captain Skelton were among a raft of big names unavailable through injury….PACNEWS
USA – FOOTBALL: AFP PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 22 Jun 2026
World Cup’s carbon footprint under scrutiny as Fifa boss racks up air miles
LAUSANNE, 22 JUNE 2026 (AFP)—Fifa president Gianni Infantino has been a busy man at this World Cup but his unquenchable thirst to pack in as many matches as possible is causing unrest among environmentalists who are questioning his indifference to climate change.
Mexico City, Guadalajara, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Seattle, Kansas City, Houston: the Italo-Swiss boss has already powered up his private jet to appear in the stands 10 times in seven days.
His insatiable use of a Qatar Airways private jet is nothing new: in September 2024, the investigative outlet Josimar revealed that he had used the plane to clock up 600,000 kilometres (372,822 miles) over the previous three years.
But the expanded 2026 World Cup, staged for the first time with 48 teams across the United States, Canada, and Mexico – meaning a jump from 64 to 104 matches – has magnified the impact of Infantino’s flying habit.
“Just one hour in this plane emits roughly what an average human being emits in an entire year,” Greenly, a French company specialising in carbon footprint assessments, said.
If Infantino strings together two cities a day until the end of the round of 16, then attends the last eight matches, Greenly estimates he will rack up “a defensible range of 300 to 500 tonnes of CO2 for his plane alone” over the course of the tournament.
That is the equivalent, they say, of “the annual footprint of around 35 to 55 French people”.
Fifa defends the president’s travel by stressing that its executives choose between commercial and private flights “based on what is most efficient and cost-effective” and that in all cases the organisation covers travel costs.
David Gogishvili, a geographer at the University of Lausanne, told AFP that Fifa had created a “sustainability paradox”.
“By reusing existing but geographically dispersed NFL stadiums across a continent, Fifa has created a model that is structurally dependent on high-emission air travel,” he said.
“When leadership sets a precedent by hopping between matches via private jet, it perfectly reflects the broader systemic issue/approach.”
The way Fifa has organised this World Cup “normalises hyper-mobility while simultaneously shifting transport costs and carbon burdens onto the host regions and fans.”
John Hocevar, who is Oceans Campaign Director of Greenpeace USA, is equally curt about Infantino’s stadium-hopping.
“Having executives take daily flights on highly polluting private jets doesn’t exactly send the message that Fifa recognises either the cause or its responsibility to be part of the solution to climate change,” he posted on Instagram.
“We need more athletes to speak out’: the future of sport in a warming world
Far from being a one-off, this geographical sprawl will be repeated next year at the Women’s World Cup in Brazil, chosen by Fifa in 2024 over a bid that would have been 100 percent accessible by train between Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.
It will take an even more extreme turn with the centenary of the men’s World Cup in 2030, hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain with three matches in South America – and with the still unresolved prospect of an expansion to 64 teams.
Given that the 2026 tournament has attracted celebrities and wealthy spectators, the use of private jets at a World Cup is not just limited to Fifa leadership, further increasing the event’s overall footprint.
The 2022 World Cup drew 1,846 private jets to Qatar, the British journal Nature noted. That is more than the Super Bowl, the Cannes Film Festival, the World Economic Forum in Davos and Cop28 combined.
“All of the emissions associated with a World Cup are… luxury rather than subsistence emissions, as the tournament doesn’t need to happen at all,” American academic Tim Walters said last year during a Play the Game debate.
“In this context, the lavish activity of the ultra-wealthy is particularly obscene and dispiriting,” …PACNEWS
