Oceania Cup

17 to rep Melanesia in Oceania Cup

Thirteen PNG athletes have been selected for the 17 strong Melanesian team that will compete against Micronesia, Polynesia, Australia and host, Northern Marianas.

The Oceania Cup has been brought back into the calendar in Oceania to align with the Oceania and World Athletics strategic plan to create more international competition opportunities for the athletes in the region.

Previous editions of the Oceania Cup have been held in Vanuatu , Samoa and Australia. Saipan was chosen this year as it has the best facility in the Pacific Islands.

Kumuls squad for GB Test named

Terry Wapi has been dropped from the 17 to the extended bench man while Stargroth Amean has been named at wing, and Gary Lo comes in taking a spot on the bench.

Enoch Maki has also been moved to the extended bench.

Coach Michael Marum has kept the front row and halves combination intact

The PNG LNG Kumuls extended squad for Great Britain Test Match on Saturday 16th November:

Pacific nations to host future Tests in new 10-year rolling calendar

RLIF CEO Nigel Wood confirmed on the eve of Saturday’s opening round of Oceania Cup matches between New Zealand and Tonga at Mt Smart Stadium and Samoa and Papua New Guinea at Leichhardt Oval that the international body wanted to play games in the Pacific islands.

An RLIF meeting in Singapore earlier this month agreed that the Oceania Cup would be staged mid-year and at the end of the season on an annual basis, except in 2021 and 2025 when the World Cup is held.

PNG teams whipped at Oceania Cup

On Wednesday, the women felt the full force of the Vantage Black Sticks of New Zealand, receiving a 33-0 hiding, while the men were hammered 30-0 by the Australian Kookaburras.

Last night, the Hockeyroos cruised over the PNG women, with a 23-0 win to qualify for Sunday’s Oceania Cup Final.

Australia’s men’s team also claimed their spot in the final after downing New Zealand, 5-1 on Thursday.

The draw for tomorrow:

Men's - 3pm: PNG v NZ

Women's - 5pm: NZ v AUS

The finals will be held this Sunday.

VIDEO: PNG ruled out for Oceania Cup

The PNG Rugby Football Union Board led by Ben Frame made the announcement following Oceania Rugby's decision to disqualify PNG's participation.

This is due to the current impasse within the union. 

 

More from TVWan News.

 

Fiji 7s pick up where they left off

A new-look team featuring four Olympic gold medallists, five debutantes and three recalled former internationals defeated Samoa 28-19 in the men's final, having dispatched American Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Nauru and Tonga in pool play and Australia in the semi finals.

Interim coach Naca Cawunibuca said the team was on an extended honeymoon for a long time following their success in Rio.

But after spending only a fortnight together in camp, he said their performances at the weekend were encouraging.

Pukpuks to use same side for American Samoa game

Wesley named 12 debutants in his starting 15 that beat Tahiti 32-10 last Saturday and he was pleased with their performance.

He said there were no major injury concerns adding that only winger Wesley Vali will be rested after suffering concussion during last Saturday's win over Tahiti. 

"We have a few niggling injuries but the boys are otherwise fit and ready for tomorrow. I will be using relatively the same side who made a few errors in the Tahiti game, but we've fixed this.

Next tier of Pacific rugby nations Oceania Cup

Cook Islands won the biennial event two years ago but will not defend their title, choosing to focus their limited resources on November's Olympic Sevens Qualifier.

Newcomers American Samoa open proceedings against Solomon Islands at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, followed by hosts Papua New Guinea against Tahiti, in the first round of matches.

The General Manager of Rugby PNG, Frank Genia, says pride and silverware aren't the only things on up for grabs.