13 hours ago
Pasifika Sipoti in brief for 20 June
Photo:
RNZ
Two Fiji-born wingers will be on opposite sides in Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific final.
Chiefs player Emoni Narawa will line up against Sevu Reece of the Crusaders in what is expected to be also a final All Blacks trial run for the duo.
Both are in contention for All Blacks inclusion, with impressive performances so far this season.
Narawa scored two tries against the Brumbies in their semi-final clash last weekend, while Reece is the competition's top try-scorer with 66 tries.
Public ticket allocations for the final were exhausted within minutes of going on sale on Tuesday.
A number of players with Pasifika heritage were on opposing sides in Wednesday's State of Origin II in Perth, which the Queensland Maroons won 26-24.
Queensland's win means the series with be decided in the third game in three weeks.
Samoa heritage player Valentine Holmes was a star for the Maroons, with a perfect night off the tee, kicking four conversions and a penalty goal.
The Blues had a number of players with Samoan lineage, which included winger Brian To'o, who scored a hat trick, foward Payne Haas and Jarome Luai.
PNG Hunters head coach Paul Aiton says they can not afford 'silly errors' when they meet the Brisbane Tigers in the Hostplus Cup round 14 match in Brisbane on Sunday.
The
Post-Courier
reports Aiton saying he does not want to see the same mistakes that have cost them two recent matches happening again against the Tigers.
He says while the team's forward pack and bench rotation have performed well, they've struggled to consistently finish sets and close out games.
But despite the challenges and a significant number of debutants this season, Aiton remains confident, believing consistent execution will lead to positive results for the team.
Papua New Guinea's women's Twenty20 cricket team has beaten the Australian indigenous team for the first time, at a cricket invitational in Port Moresby.
Chasing 112 runs to win, the Lewas reached the target with one ball to spare and two wickets in hand, finishing on 113 for 8.
They also top the table with two days of matches to play, based on net run rate.
In Thursday's other game, Vanuatu beat Samoa by nine runs.
On Friday, PNG is taking on Vanuatu and Samoa plays the Australian indigenous team.
Tonga's sports minister Sinai Tu'itahi says funds will be secured for the hosting of the 2031 Pacific Games.
Talanoa 'o Tonga
reported both Tu'itahi and Prime Minister Dr 'Aisake Eke "agree to host the 2031 Pacific Games in Tonga" and have detailed funding plans that will be presented in Parliament soon.
Tu'itahi said the sports levy fee, initially set up for the hosting of the 2019 Pacific Games which Tonga later backed out of, will be diverted towards preparation for the 2031 Games.
She also confirmed that two unnamed foreign countries have offered support, with the government already stating it will need around US$26 million to fund its six‑year Games roadmap.
Flanker Miracle Failagi has extended his Super Rugby Pacific contract with Moana Pasifika.
The franchise said the 25-year-old has become an important figure for the team.
Head coach Fa'alogo Tana Umaga said Failagi is a huge part of the Moana Pasifika movement.
Failagi formed a strong loose trio partnership with departing captain Ardie Savea and Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa this year and ranked among the top tacklers and ball carriers in the competition.
The head of Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) Keziah Lewis has resigned.
Cook Islands News
reported the committee has confirmed the resignation.
Committee president, Luisa Peters, said Lewis had successfully steered the organization through two leadership changes and introduced new ideas which aimed to benefit athletes and the sporting community.
Lewis' resignation will be effective from 10 July.
