Pasifika Sipoti in brief for 23 April
Brian Kaltak, left, in Vanuatu colours.
Photo:
Shane Wenzlick / www.phototek.nz
Vanuatu football captain Brian Kaltak could be set to leave Central Coast Mariners FC.
The
Vanuatu Daily Post
reported Mariners coach Mark Jason revealed the news after the Mariners' 2-2 draw against Macarthur on Easter Sunday.
Jason said Kaltak, who played his 100th game for the club on Sunday, is heading to Asia.
He said the club wants to keep him but "he's set on moving overseas-and we respect that".
Kaltak has become a fan favourite in Gosford, helping guide the side to a championship title in 2023 and playing a major role in their treble-title-winning campaign last year.
A number of players with Pasifika heritage have been named in the Wallaroos squad for their 2025 commitments, including a test against the Fijiana Drua women on 3 May.
The list includes Brumbies forward Tabua Tuinakauvandra who debuted for the Wallaroos against Fiji in 2023.
Other players in the squad include Waratahs' Faliki Pohiva, who is of Tongan descent, and Brumbies player Katalina Amosa who has Samoan heritage.
The Wallaroos will also compete in the Pacific Four series, with home matches against New Zealand, USA and Canada.
Tonga Rugby League reportedly wants to host a Pacific Cup clash in Nuku'alofa from this year.
1News reported Tonga league coach Kristian Woolf is backing the plan.
RNZ Pacific has reached out to Tonga League board chairman, Lord Fakafanua, for confirmation.
Tonga will play the Pacific Cup series in October and November this year against Samoa and New Zealand.
Samoa national sports association president, Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork, says they have not confirmed their Pacific Mini Games team yet.
The
Samoa Observer
reported Tuaopepe saying the association is still working on securing funding before confirming their team, saying taking a team to Palau "is very expensive".
Tuaopepe confirmed their selection criteria for athletes is "winning gold medals from past Pacific Games and Oceania Championships", saying their aim is to achieve "nothing less than gold medals".
The Pacific Mini Games will roll off in Koror, Palau on 29 June.
The Apia Park complex in the Samoan capital is set to undergo a major facelift.
Samoa's Ministry of Sports and Recreation has confirmed that, effective immediately, the three grandstands located on the Western side of the
Grand Stadium at Apia Park, will be closed off.
The grandstands will be demolished, making way for the construction of a new and improved sports stadium.
The plan of action has been approved by the Samoan Cabinet, following recommendations provided by the Chinese team, who are overseeing the maintenance and upgrade of the Apia Park complex.
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