Tonga Sevens challenged
The Tonga national rugby sevens team competing at the 2023 Sevens Challenger Series in Stellenbosch is not the best prepared.
Coach Tevita Tuifua has had to make do with players training at bases in Tonga, Australia and New Zealand, with no time to train together.
Tuifua said the lack of finance has not been any help.
"We have had a tough time preparing. Our players were all over the place because we just did not have the funds to get them together," he said.
The team is now in South Africa trying to adapt and get their focus on this weekend's first round of the competition.
Former All Blacks Malakai Fekitoa, who played in the Tonga Sevens team years ago before he moved to New Zealand, visited the team and handed the players' their jersies for the competition.
Fekitoa played for his Munster team against Stormers in Capetown at the weekend and invited the Tonga 7s team to watch the his in action.
Tonga will play Germany, Zimbabwe and Belgium in pool play.
They will need to finish in the top four at the competition and get a better ranking for the second round competition.
Malakai Fekitoa handing Tonga 7s captain Sione Tupou in Capetown. Photo: Tonga Sevens
Tough ride for PNG
Meanwhile, the Papua New Guinea Sevens teams face tough games at the Sevens Challenger Series.
Both the men and the women's teams departed Port Moresby on Saturday for the tournament, The National newspaper reported.
The men's are fielded in a 12-men team format alongside Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Jamaica, Korea, Tonga, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
Their first match is on Thursday against Hong Kong, followed by Chile and against Italy on Friday.
The men's winner will enter a four team play-off at the London Sevens in May, with the teams placed 12th-14th after ten rounds of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
The winner of the play-off will join the 2024 HSBC Sevens World Series competition.
In the women's competition, the 12-team format sees PNG Palais, Belgium, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Madagascar, Mexico, Poland, South Africa, Thailand, including a qualifying team from South America.
The women's winner gains automatic promotion to the 2024 Sevens World Series.
Palais coach Billy Rapilla said the tournament is important given every teams will be vying to be part of the HSBC Series.
Top junior squash players set for Australian Open
Papua New Guinea's topped-ranked junior squash player Joshua Porter is set to make his final appearance at the Australian Junior Open this weekend before switching to the country's elite squad.
PNG Squash Federation president Lady Anna Togolo told The National that the 18-year-old would be among two siblings to compete at the junior level in Melbourne, among other international events this year.
"This will be Joshua's last junior open as he prepares for series of junior competitions before making the switch," Togolo said.
"He is also eligible to attend the World Junior Squash Championships in Australia, a regional tournament in Fiji, and the Oceania Junior Squash championship in New Zealand."
"In this weekend's Australian Junior Open, he will be joined by siblings Timona Alarcos-Kriebisch, who will participate in the Under-11 girls' division while her younger brother Ethan will be in the U10 boys' division," she said.
Togolo said this was a positive outcome for junior squash development in the country with the trio now preparing to represent PNG and compete at this level.
"Joshua is also participating in Professional Squash Association (PSA) tournaments to improve his world rankings while the Kriebisch siblings are competing in tournaments in Queensland to boost their rankings."
Drua names Nasoko in 23 for Chiefs game
The Fijian Drua has named Olympic gold medalist Kalione Nasoko on the bench in what could be his debut match in the Super Rugby Pacific game against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday night.
Nasoko has been sitting out the series because of injury and was given time to recover.
Head Coach Mick Byrne has made a number of changes number of changes to their starting lineup, with Haereiti Hetet and Michael Naitokani making their first start of the season as well.
Chris Minimbi is also likely to come off the bench for the first time.
Hetet has been named at loosehead while Samuela Tawake runs in at tighthead.
Tevita Ikanivere returns to the starting lineup as hooker and captain.
Isoa Nasilasila and Leone Rotuisolia will pair at locks, with Joseva Tamani and Elia Canakaivata on the flanks.
Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta will anchor the scrum at number eight.
Peni Matawalu continues at halfback, with Teti Tela calling the shots at flyhalf.
The backline sees a new midfield combination, with Naitokani starting at inside centre and Apisalome Vota returning to the starting 15 outside him.
Tuidraki Samusamuvodre and Ilaisa Droasese have been named as wings with Selestino Ravutaumada at fullback.
Key players like captain Rtu Meli Derenalagi, Iosefo Masi and Eroni Sau have been rested
The Drua versus Chief clash starts at 7.05pm.
Vanuatu prepares for OFC Group Play-offs in Luganville
Vanuatu football is gearing up for the upcoming Oceania Football Federation (OFC) group play-offs in Vanuatu's second town, Luganville.
Vanuatu Daily Post said that major works were underway to prepare Luganville Soccer City, Luganville's main football arena, to host Group A matches on May 14-20.
Preparation are being done to improve the football fields, grounds facilities, and security to cater for this week-long event
Major discussions are also underway with partners and stakeholders for a smooth roll out of OFC group play offs.
Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF)'s public relations officer Moses Stevens confirmed that despite setbacks from the two cyclones, work is on track as authorities pull resources together to host Oceania's main football event.
Stevens also confirmed that the local organising committee is working with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) to maintain the grass on the fields, for the event on May.
'Smol Taon' will play host to Auckland City from New Zealand, Lupe Ole Soaga from Samoa, Suva FC from Fiji and Solomon Warriors from the Solomon Islands.
Fijians to miss World Cup
All Blacks prop George Bower has been ruled out of all rugby for the rest of the year due to a knee injury.
On Wednesday, Crusaders coach Scott Robertson confirmed Bower's ACL injury will sideline him for the remainder of 2023, adding to his squad's significant injury toll.
Bower's loss will also be keenly felt by the All Blacks, who will be without the prop's services for the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
Fellow Fijian Sevu Reece was also ruled out with similar injuries last week.
Reece has been Bower's teammate in the Crusaders and the All Blacks as well.
British Army netball star picked for Fiji
A key British Army netball player has been picked to play for Fiji at the upcoming PACIFICAUS Netball Series at the Gold Coast , Australia next week.
Sergeant Dee Bolakoro was a key part of the Army's recent Inter Services win, the Forces website said.
Her Fiji inclusion means she wwill not be part of the UK Armed Forces match against the Isle of Man next weekend.
Fiji meets Malawi, Samoa and Papua New Guinea in pool matches at the Gold Coast event.