Pasifika Sipoti in brief for 4 July

RNZ News

a day ago

Christian Lio-Willie.
Photo:
John Cowpland / action press
Christian Lio-Willie will make his debut for the All Blacks when the team meets France in Dunedin on Saturday in the first of three test matches.
The Crusaders number eight, who is of Samoan heritage, replaced injured Wallace Sititi in the squad last week and has been thrown straight into the starting lineup.
Another player with Samoan heritage, Du'Plesis Kirifi, looks set to also make his debut off the bench.
The duo join seven other players with Pasifika origin in the All Blacks match-day 23 named by head coach Scott Robertson.
PNG Hunters rugby league head coach Paul Aiton says the team can still finish in the top four if the players are focused on what they need to do.
The National
reported last year's late surge is something Aiton is using to remind the players, as they fight to get back into the top eight.
The Hunters face the Townsville Blackhawks in Port Moresby on Sunday.
Aiton said the players just need to believe in themselves and get the job done.
Papua New Guinea boxer Sheilla Yama has booked her spot at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
The National
newspaper reports the super lightweight boxer, currently ranked 20th by BoxRec, has qualified for both the Glasgow Games and the Oceania senior championship in Tahiti in September.
Yama qualified after winning the Professional Boxing Commission international super lightweight title, beating Ireland's Louise Crevan in Auckland.
PNG Boxing Union president Gideon Kendiono said they are proud of the boxer, who also won the gold medal in the women's 66-kilogram categtory at the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara.
Tonga will now be able to host sports events under lights, following the commissioning of new lights at Te'ufaiva Stadium in Nuku'alofa.
The island kingdom lost out on hosting the Moana Pasifika and Chiefs Super Rugby Pacific clash in March because the lights had not been installed, as the game was scheduled for the evening.
Tonga's Ministry of Sports said having the lights installed will mean more sporting activities, including international events, at the stadium.
Talks are underway to have either an internatinal rugby union or rugby league game at the venue in August.
Two more players of Pasifika origin have been named to play for the combined Australia/New Zealand Invitational XV against the British and Irish Lions on 12 July.
Kiwi duo Ngani Laumape and Joshua Fusitu'a, who have Samoan origins, join three others of Pasifika origin named on Monday.
Laumape played 15 tests for the All Blacks, while Fusitu'a has been impressive for the Blues in the Super Rugby Pacific competition.
The duo join fellow Pasifika heritage players, Crusaders captain David Havili, Highlanders halfback Folau Fakatava and former All Black Shannon Frizell.
Fiji women's football team head coach Angeline Chua is confident her team has what it takes to lift the trophy at the OFC Women's Nations Cup 2025, which kicks off on Saturday in Suva, Fiji.
The Fijians are in group B with Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu and have eight overseas-based players in their squad.
Solomon Islands coach Moses Toata said they are excited for the opportunity to test themselves against the best in the region.
Tonga head coach Kilifi Uele said they have blended local talent with a handful of US-based players in a youthful squad; while Vanuatu's Jean-Robert Yelou stated their preparation has had its challenges.