Fiji, Tonga eye Europe players for World Cup
FIJI rugby coach John McKee says Fiji has a genuine shot at reaching the knockout rounds at the 2019 World Cup if the form of its overseas-based players is anything to go by. With Fiji’s World Cup path confirmed with
Why Ryan won’t back Fiji 7s bid
Get your priorities right, FRU told OLYMPIC-winning coach Ben Ryan has expressed serious reservations on Fiji’s bid to host a leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series, saying the Fiji Rugby Union has its priorities
An unforgettable World Cup story
TO say that Tonga has soared up the Rugby League International Federation (RFIL) rankings list after a stunning World Cup run is an understatement to the manner in which it achieved the feat. The South Sea islanders
Rugger stranded chasing a dream
A TONGAN rugby player who chased his dream to play professionally in Europe and was left stranded there with kidney failure got the best gift for Christmas – a second chance at life. Sione Vaiomounga, a back rower
Mini Games ‘success’
Pressure on rugby union to review eligibility rules THE stage has been set for the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa after a successful 2017 Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu last month. French-trained New Caledonia set the pace
Keep out!
Politicians told to stay off sports as Samoa rugby sees ‘red’ POLITICIANS should not manage sports in the Pacific Islands but leave it to professionals to ensure their viability and future for the next generations.
Never alone again
Pacific ruggers rally behind exploited and isolated brothers MORE professional island rugby players are coming forward with stories of exploitation by clubs in Europe. And the Pacific Rugby Players Welfare, which is
Big risks in rugby’s gold rush
Pacific rugby stars face exploitation SIRELI Temo grew up like the thousands of Fijian children around the country doing what he loved best – playing rugby from the time he could grasp the oval ball. Since his
Bid for 7s World Series leg
Fiji to showcase hosting credentials with Oceania Sevens Fiji has always been in the top three of the world standings in rugby sevens. And now the women’s team is in the top four. But they have never hosted a HSBC
Bati guns all out for World Cup
THE Vodafone Fiji Bati will not be an easy pushover at the Rugby League World Cup if the form of Fijian players on the international circuit is anything to go by. Fiji National Rugby League chief executive officer
Watch this space
Emerging brand makes it to World Cup WHEN the West Indian cricket team took the field at Edgbaston in England last month, their kit was provided by local brand BLK. It’s a brand that was propelled onto the world scene
Sevens sports tourism
Rugby, holiday on the other side IF you were to travel by boat for more than ten hours to watch a rugby 7s tournament, you probably still reeling from Fiji’s Olympic medal win and just can’t get enough of it. But if
Tonga’s Game of thrones reaches epic finale
BY month’s end, The fate the 2019 Pacific Games will be known. A journey that began five years ago when Tonga won the bid to host the Pacific’s premier quadrennial sports event has turned sour after Prime
Mixing sports and politics
Tonga’s bid to host 2019 Pacific Games reaches political climax SPORT has an uncanny ability to bring people together and build comradery lasting a lifetime, more so nowadays when those special moments can be
Lift-off!
Sports tourism on the rise THE historic Super Rugby match between the Canterbury Crusaders and the Waikato Chiefs in Fiji’s capital, Suva, was just the thin end of the wedge. Played under lights in sometimes blinding
Samoan boxer
JOSEPH Parker became the Pacific’s first world boxing champion after beat – ing Mexico’s Andy Ruiz in Auckland, New Zealand for the vacant WBO title. Now honoured as a matai, the New Zealand-born
Copy of Elusive Olympic gold within reach
THERE’s an air of excitement and anticipation as Brazil gets set to host the 31st Olympic Games from 5-21 August. Never before has an Olympic gold medal been so close a reality for the tiny island nations of the
Elusive Olympic gold within reach
THERE’s an air of excitement and anticipation as Brazil gets set to host the 31st Olympic Games from 5-21 August. Never before has an Olympic gold medal been so close a reality for the tiny island nations of the
BEST OF 2015
The Rugby World Cup, Netball World Champs, World Sevens Series and the 15th Pacific Games dominated the sporting landscape this year, but Pacific athletes and teams made their mark in so many other arenas outside of
Down but not out
Pacific unions respond to new IRB player rules The all-Pacific final between Fiji and Samoa in the opening leg of the 2014-2015 IRB World Sevens Series on Australia’s Gold Coast was a mighty statement to the
Weightlifters bring home the medals in Glasgow
Pacific’s athletes brace for ANZAC invasion As predicted in our January 2014 edition, weightlifters proved to be the Pacific’s most successful athletes at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. They accounted for all
Pacific rugby celebrates major breakthroughs
Regional powers qualify for World Cup Exciting times for Pacific rugby. The world champion New Zealand All Blacks will finally end their long hiatus of having never played on Samoan soil with an historic test in Apia
The ‘Olympic Games’ for Micronesia
Guam to dominate track and field events Majuro — Twenty years ago, the only way to get a report on a Micronesian Games competition—or even just a baseball or basketball score—was to have someone ring
