Rugby World Cup

The Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) board last month unanimously recommended South Africa to host the tournament in six years' time.

Yet World Rugby Council members on Wednesday voted in favour of the France bid, despite South Africa being picked out as a "clear leader" a couple of weeks before decision day.

France presented the tournament solo for the first time in 2007, having played joint-host in 1991 with the UK and Ireland, and they will also stage the 10th edition of the tournament.

New Zealand beat Australia to retain Rugby World Cup

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New Zealand held off a fierce Australian comeback to win a thrilling World Cup final and become the first team to retain their title.

Sirinumu dam needs continuous rain to buff up stock

Wonderful tries from Nehe Milner-Skudder and Ma'a Nonu had given the All Blacks a 21-3 lead early in the second half before David Pocock and Tevita Kuridrani struck back.

With 15 minutes to go there were just four points in it, but a nerveless long-distance drop-goal and penalty from Dan Carter snatched back control.

And when replacement Beauden Barrett sprinted away on to Ben Smith's clearing kick at the death history was made, with New Zealand also becoming the first three-time champions of the world.

The Pumas were nearly kept tryless for the second straight playoff match, before replacement Juan Pablo Orlandi crashed over with the final play of the game.

The Springboks wing JP Pietersen opened the scoring early on in the right corner and they led 16-3 at half-time, before lock Eben Etsebeth added the Boks' second try in the left corner.

Pumas openside flanker Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe played his final Test match in the fixture, as did South African wing Bryan Habana and lock Victor Matfield - the oldest Springbok ever at 38.

In an interview with TVNZ’s Rawdon Christie earlier this week, sports presenter Tim Gilbert claimed the New Zealand All Blacks would need rugby union superstar Jonah Lomu and the legend Chuck Norris to play in order for them to beat Australia.

The All Blacks were five points behind at half-time with a man in the sin-bin as four penalties from Handre Pollard cancelled out Jerome Kaino's early try.

A Dan Carter drop-goal and a Beauden Barrett try put the champions ahead.

South Africa replied with two penalties but a Carter effort in between secured victory despite ferocious Bok defence.

It was seldom pretty but once again in this World Cup there was a gripping finale, the All Blacks holding that two-point lead for the last 12 minutes as their opponents finally tired.

Manam Resettlement Bill expected in parliament

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Madang Governor Jim Kas is expected to table a bill for the creation of the Manam Resettlement Authority.

Medical Faculty upgraded

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Wales led going into the final 10 minutes but finally succumbed after enduring a second-half battering.

Fly-half Handre Pollard kicked five penalties and a drop-goal for the Springboks.

Wales' Dan Biggar scored 14 points and created the chance for Gareth Davies to score his fifth try of the tournament.

Veteran scrum-half Du Preez had to be persuaded to play in the tournament by South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer after a series of career-threatening injuries, but repaid the faith with a moment of coolness in a tumultuous atmosphere.

The All Blacks were almost out of sight at half-time, Julian Savea scoring two tries and Brodie Retallick and Nehe Milner-Skudder one apiece.

A try by Louis Picamoles had kept France afloat but when he was sent to the sin-bin French hopes evaporated.

Savea completed a fine hat-trick and Jerome Kaino, Kieran Read and Tawera Kerr-Barlow (two) also crossed.