Pasifika Sipoti in brief for 18 June
Photo:
Kubota Spears - K Fukushima
Moana Pasifika assistant coach Alando Soakai has joined the 'Ikale Tahi coaching team ahead of the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup series.
Tonga Rugby said the former New Zealand sevens player will work with head coach Tevita Tuifua and assistant Nili Latu.
Soakai was Wellington Lions head coach last year and led the team to winning the National Provincial Championship (NPC) title, before joining Moana Pasifika this year.
Tonga Rugby chief executive Aisea 'Aholelei said Soakai is a timely inclusion to their coaching team, with Tonga set to fight for a 2027 Rugby World Cup spot at the Pacific Nations Cup.
Tonga will continue working on hosting the 2031 Pacific Games, despite the need to secure at least 26 million Tongan pa'anga (approximately US$11m) to fund facility upgrades.
Internal Affairs and Sports Minister, Sinaitakala Tu'itahi, said the government is committed to ensuring the Games will go ahead as planned.
She said negotiations with donor agencies and partners are ongoing.
Tonga was given the right to host the Games last year, despite concerns the country might pull out of the hosting agreement again, similar to what they did before the 2019 Games.
Back then the late prime minister 'Akilisi Pohiva spearheaded the move to cancel hosting the Games.
Australian heavyweight boxer Teremoana Junior Teremoana remains unbeaten in his professional boxing career, following his latest fight at the weekend.
The boxer, who is of Cook Islands heritage, knocked out Aleem Whitfield in New York to take his record to 8-0.
The 2024 Olympian said he has made his statement in his first fight in the United States of America and looks forward to more fights there.
Rugby Australia has confirmed that a new domestic competition, featuring Australia's four Super Rugby clubs, will kick off in September.
The four-week senior competition will run from 13 September to 5 October.
Additional matches for Australia's domestic sides, the Brumbies, Reds, Waratahs and Western Force, have long been signposted by the governing body.
The National Rugby Championship ran for five seasons before being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Super Rugby AU running for two seasons due to international travel restrictions.
The Pacific Oceania under-11 and under-13 tennis teams are competing in the 2025 Australian Teams Championships, at the Gold Coast, this week.
Oceania Tennis said 11 players, selected from nine countries across the Pacific region, will compete at the event, which will run from 18-23 June.
Another team of under-15 players arrive in Australia on 23 June, in time for their tournament's first game on 25 June.
Meanwhile, American Samoa will host the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup from 30 June to 5 July, with 11 Pacific countries booked to be involved.
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RNZ News
10 hours ago
- RNZ News
Pasifika Sipoti in brief for 18 June
Photo: Kubota Spears - K Fukushima Moana Pasifika assistant coach Alando Soakai has joined the 'Ikale Tahi coaching team ahead of the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup series. Tonga Rugby said the former New Zealand sevens player will work with head coach Tevita Tuifua and assistant Nili Latu. Soakai was Wellington Lions head coach last year and led the team to winning the National Provincial Championship (NPC) title, before joining Moana Pasifika this year. Tonga Rugby chief executive Aisea 'Aholelei said Soakai is a timely inclusion to their coaching team, with Tonga set to fight for a 2027 Rugby World Cup spot at the Pacific Nations Cup. Tonga will continue working on hosting the 2031 Pacific Games, despite the need to secure at least 26 million Tongan pa'anga (approximately US$11m) to fund facility upgrades. Internal Affairs and Sports Minister, Sinaitakala Tu'itahi, said the government is committed to ensuring the Games will go ahead as planned. She said negotiations with donor agencies and partners are ongoing. Tonga was given the right to host the Games last year, despite concerns the country might pull out of the hosting agreement again, similar to what they did before the 2019 Games. Back then the late prime minister 'Akilisi Pohiva spearheaded the move to cancel hosting the Games. Australian heavyweight boxer Teremoana Junior Teremoana remains unbeaten in his professional boxing career, following his latest fight at the weekend. The boxer, who is of Cook Islands heritage, knocked out Aleem Whitfield in New York to take his record to 8-0. The 2024 Olympian said he has made his statement in his first fight in the United States of America and looks forward to more fights there. Rugby Australia has confirmed that a new domestic competition, featuring Australia's four Super Rugby clubs, will kick off in September. The four-week senior competition will run from 13 September to 5 October. Additional matches for Australia's domestic sides, the Brumbies, Reds, Waratahs and Western Force, have long been signposted by the governing body. The National Rugby Championship ran for five seasons before being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Super Rugby AU running for two seasons due to international travel restrictions. The Pacific Oceania under-11 and under-13 tennis teams are competing in the 2025 Australian Teams Championships, at the Gold Coast, this week. Oceania Tennis said 11 players, selected from nine countries across the Pacific region, will compete at the event, which will run from 18-23 June. Another team of under-15 players arrive in Australia on 23 June, in time for their tournament's first game on 25 June. Meanwhile, American Samoa will host the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup from 30 June to 5 July, with 11 Pacific countries booked to be involved.
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
Savea to take Japan sabbatical
Moana Pasifika and All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea on the run against the Highlanders in Dunedin this year. Moana Pasifika are set to lose their inspirational leader for next season. Ardie Savea has announced he will skip next year's Super Rugby campaign to take up a sabbatical in Japan. The Moana Pasifika skipper will return 2027 after a one-year stint with the Kobelco Kobe Steelers in 2026. The 31-year-old is exercising a clause included in his contract with New Zealand Rugby when he re-signed last year. "I have so much love for what we started with Moana this year so I'm looking forward to coming back in 2027," Savea said. "It's hard to leave, even though it's only for one season, but I'll be supporting the team from afar and will stay involved behind the scenes. This year at Moana Pasifika was the happiest I've been in my career. "On the other hand, Japan is a special place and I love the culture and the people. It's exciting to return to a club that has given me an opportunity to have beautiful experiences on and off the field." Savea is returning to the Japanese club he played for in 2024 and will still be eligible for All Blacks Tests when he returns midway through 2026. "Ardie obviously goes with our blessing," said Moana Pasifika head coach Fa'alogo Tana Umaga. "These sabbaticals are part of the modern game and we have been preparing for this for some time. We will continue to build the momentum of our movement in 2026 and work hard to grow our game so that we will be even better when he gets back to us in 2027." Moana finished just outside the top six in 2025, beating all but one New Zealand franchise. Savea was influential in the side's rise, his effort in the win over the Blues described as the greatest individual performance in Super Rugby history. After announcing the mass departure of 16 players, Moana Pasifika have since signed former All Black Ngani Laumape for next season.
1News
a day ago
- 1News
Ardie Savea to take sabbatical in 2026, return to Japanese club
Ardie Savea is set to take a sabbatical in 2026 to once again play with the Kobelco Kobe Steelers in Japan, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has confirmed. The loose forward will remain available to the All Blacks for their 2025 international campaign, and is contracted to NZR through the end of 2027. In 2026, Savea will return to New Zealand at the conclusion of the Japan League One season. He will then be available for the All Blacks 2026 July test series. Savea previously has played for the Japanese club in the 2024 season. Meanwhile, Moana Pasifika confirmed Savea will also return to their team in 2027 after his upcoming one-year stint in Japan. ADVERTISEMENT "Ardie obviously goes with our blessing,' said Moana Pasifika head coach Fa'alogo Tana Umaga. "These sabbaticals are part of the modern game and we have been preparing for this for some time. 'We will continue to build the momentum of our movement in 2026 and work hard to grow our game so that we will be even better when he gets back to us in 2027.' Savea said: 'I have so much love for what we started with Moana this year so I'm looking forward to coming back in 2027.' 'It's hard to leave, even though it's only for one season, but I'll be supporting the team from afar and will stay involved behind the scenes. This year at Moana Pasifika was the happiest I've been in my career. 'On the other hand, Japan is a special place and I love the culture and the people. It's exciting to return to a club that has given me an opportunity to have beautiful experiences on and off the field.' NZR general manager of professional rugby & performance Chris Lendrum said sabbaticals are a "key component of our contracting model and provide flexibility for our most senior All Blacks to spend some time in a different environment". ADVERTISEMENT "In Ardie's case he has played 94 Tests for the All Blacks and more than a decade as a professional player in New Zealand. He is committed to play his rugby in New Zealand through to the end of 2027 and we look forward to his ongoing contribution to our teams and competitions."
