Photo: World Rugby
Rugby – Samoa juniors
Samoa needed two tries in the final 10 minutes against Hong Kong China to maintain their 100 percent start to the World Rugby U-20 Trophy in Nairobi, Kenya
They found themselves 22-15 behind in the closing stages, having lost two players to yellow cards for five minutes at the start of the second half.
However, late tries from captain John Mata Samuelu and replacement prop Robert Robertson helped the Pacific Island nation close out a 30-27 victory.
Spain joined them on a maximum 10 points at the top of Pool B when they defeated the hosts Kenya 48-18.
Rugby – Manu Samoa
Former Wallaby pivot Christian Leali’ifano will make his debut for Manu Samoa against Japan in a 2023 Pacific Nations Cup match in Hokkaido, Japan on Saturday.
He has been handed the flyhalf role by head coach Seilala Mapusua.
Leali’ifano, who played for the Moana Pasifila franchise in the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific competition, is one of five players named by Mapusua for their first Samoa appearance.
The others are So’otala Fa’aso’o, Charlie Faumuina, Miracle Fai’ilagi and Martini Talapusi.
Netball – Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea Pepes have selected 13 home-based and 13 Australia-based players in their initial squad for the Pacific Games later this year.
The 26 players were selected from separate trials held in Port Moresby and Brisbane this month.
Amongst the new-look group are recalled experienced campaigners Japeth Tulapi, Galewa Tau and Jacklyn Lahari.
Head coach Annie Iamo said the squad comprises both young and upcoming stars and experienced hands, who would be vying to secure their spots in the final team in September before the Singapore Netball Series in October.
Pepes haven’t won an international game since April 2022 but Iamo has confidence in the squad ending that damning statistic.
Cricket – World Cup
The East-Asia Pacific cricket qualifier for the twenty-20 World Cup gets underway on Saturday.
Japan, the Philippines, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea face a 12-match battle, over eight days, for one spot in the T20 World Cup in June next year.
PNG is hosting the event in Port Moresby.
Rugby – Super Rugby
Moana Pasifika have signed four-time Super Rugby Champion Sione Havili-Talitui for next season.
Havili-Talitui departs current title holders the Crusaders after spending four years in Christchurch.
The Nuku’alofa-bornm seven-cap Tongan international has also been selected in the ‘Ikale Tahi squad in preparation for the July internationals and Rugby World Cup in France.