Fiji

Last week, the PNG Trade Minister said Fiji must respond in 14 days to why it restricts Trukai Rice, Snax biscuits and Ox and Palm to avoid retaliatory actions.

The trade imbalance between the two largest economy in the Pacific favours Fiji, with a deficit of K45 million.

"Fiji Trade Minister (Faiyaz Didiq Koya) lied to (Fiji) media that he never received a notice from us, when we wrote to him on August 15, 2016," Maru said yesterday.

He added that during the MSG meeting in Vanuatu, Fijians did not attend.

RNZ reports the World Series champions beat Great Britain 43-7 in a dominant performance at the Rio Games.

Fiji led Great Britain 29 to nil at half time and never looked like losing after that.

Fiji beat Japan 20-5 in the semi-final to make the final against Great Britain and guarantee the country its first ever Olympic medal.

Photo: WorldRugby

The Flying Fijians, the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series champions for the last two years, battled past Japan 20-5 in the first semi-final with Josua Tuisova among their try-scorers.

The second semi-final was even tighter, Great Britain emerging the 7-5 victors over Commonwealth Games champions South Africa with Tom Mitchell’s conversion the difference between the sides.

RNZ reports the World Series champions opened the scoring with a try to skipper Osea Kolinisau in the second minute of the match in wet conditions at the Deodoro Stadium.

Rieko Ioane was sent to the sin bin midway through the first half for what was deemed a dangerous spear tackle but the All Blacks Sevens still managed to find the tryline through Gilles Kaka and led 7-5 at the interval.

Fiji regained the lead with a try to Jerry Tuwai shortly after halftime and Osea Kolinisau converted to make it 12-7.

The NSW Waratahs announced on Tuesday they would not table an offer to Hayne.

But Hayne’s manager Wayne Beavis said on Wednesday his client was still interested in playing rugby.

One major sticking point with the move is the fact Hayne can’t play for the Wallabies as he has played sevens for Fiji.

The representatives include the Regional Member for Bougainville and Minister for Bougainville Affairs Joe Lera, and the Clerk of the Bougainville House of Representatives Robert Tapi.

The training was held from 20-24 June 2016.

It focused on the role of parliament in the process of national peacebuilding.

The training covered a range of issues, including the oversight functions of the parliament, social accountability, inclusion of civil society and citizens as tools for effective peacebuilding approaches to gender mainstreaming and more.

Ryan made this remarks after reports suggested he had been left out of the squad for this weekend’s London Sevens.

After quitting NFL franchise the San Francisco 49ers this week, the former NRL star announced his intention to qualify for the Olympics with the rugby sevens’ gold-medal favourites.

Reports stated that the crosscode star has missed out on the 12-man squad named by coach Ben Ryan. However Ryan, the former England coach, insisted that a decision has yet to be made.

New revelations in an NRL breach notice against the Eels reportedly show the club secretly arranged almost $500,000 in deals for the former NFL convert since 2013.

Official documents and boardroom minutes show a trail of salary cap discrepancies in the star full-back's third party deals with the club from 2013 to 2015, News Corp reported on Tuesday.

They allegedly include cash payments, first class overseas travel and car expenses adding up to $465,000, all hidden from the NRL.

It's the first tournament victory for the Manu since Dubai in 2012 and reverses a 42-5 hiding suffered at the hands of their Pacific rivals in pool play a day earlier.

Head coach Damian McGrath was full of praise for his players.

"I never in my wildest dreams when we woke up this morning thought that we could go through the day. We played three probably the most physical teams here in South Africa, Argentina and then Fiji and to put in the sort of performance that we did made me really proud."

They are briefing the Fiji contingent and warning travellers to Brazil of the threats.

 Health Minister Jone Usamate said they were also wary of the possibility of Team Fiji members carrying Zika back into the country upon their return. 

“The risk of importation of Zika by returning athletes and visitors is acknowledged and has been stressed to the medical team and athletes. The ministry envisages further discussions on health protection with the Rio Olympics medical team leading up to the date of departure.”