Pasifika Sipoti wrap

Vanuatu creates history at world qualifier

Vanuatu has created history at the ICC Women's T-20 World Cup qualifier in Abu Dhabi, defeating Zimbabwe in their opening match.

The ni-Vanuatuans won by six wickets, after scoring 62 for four, with 21 balls left.

This is their first win against a full International Cricket Council member team.

Zimbabwe scored a total of 61.

Vanuatu is ranked 30th and stunned Zimbabwe, ranked 12th in their opening game.

ICC Media said the result will rank among the biggest sporting success stories of Vanuatu, a small island nation with a population of little more than 300,000, who are appearing at a World Cup Qualifier for the first time.

This was also the first time Vanuatu had played a match against a team outside of the East-Asia Pacific (EAP) region and they looked entirely at home in Abu Dhabi.

Spinners show

Their spinners, Vanessa Vira and Nasimana Navaika, shared seven wickets between them against a Zimbabwean line-up that understandably appeared to be 'deer in the headlights.' With floodlights only installed at Harare Sports Club last July, they have little experience of playing day-night cricket and struggled to negotiate Vanuatu's slow bowlers.

Off-spinner Vira made the first incision when she had Modester Mupachikwa caught behind in the second over, but Zimbabwe's problems began three overs later. Medium-pacer Rachel Andrew bowled Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano and captain Mary-Anne Musonda with successive deliveries. Sharne Mayers looked good for her 12-ball 16 but fell in the last over of the powerplay, which Zimbabwe finished on 38 for 4.

Leg spinner Navaika then took four wickets in 10 balls to register career-best figures of 4 for 13 and leave Zimbabwe in tatters at 55 for 8 after 11 overs. They dragged themselves over 60 but only just and were bowled out in the 14th over.

Batters in mix results

In response, Vanuatu lost their opening batters, Andrew and Valenta Langiatu, who was dropped at slip the ball before being caught, in the powerplay, which ended on a cautious 25 for three.

They almost lost their captain Selina Solman to what seemed a hamstring niggle in the ninth over, but she batted on and shared in a 19-run stand with Navaika before top-edging Audrey Mazvishaya, who did not concede a run for her first 12 balls.

Her third over, cost seven runs and left Vanuatu on the brink of victory. But they did not get there without Mazvishaya having one more say in the game. She bowled Navaika at the start of the 16th over with Vanuatu four runs away. They got there in the 17th over with 21 balls to spare and earned a historic victory that blew open Group B of the qualifier and continued the rise of Vanuatu.

In the last seven months, Vanuatu has earned morale-boosting victories over teams much stronger than them on paper. In September, they beat regional rivals Papua New Guinea, who are ranked 11th, for the first time on their way to winning the EAP Qualifier to earn their place in Abu Dhabi.

They were due to travel with borrowed or donated gear, but a successful crowd-funding campaign launched by their operations manager Jamal Vira and marketing manager Hermione Vira raised the equivalent of US$6,317 to ensure each squad member had their own new kit for the tournament.

Vanuatu CEO Tim Cutler believes that despite the challenges, the side is ready to surprise their heavily-favoured rivals.

"We had eight players coming directly from seasonal work albeit with some training and playing and another seven coming from Port Vila," he said.

"To come together, half of them had a nine-hour stop in Brisbane airport, a 14-hour flight to Dubai, a three-hour bus ride to Abu Dhabi and then to have a practice match the next day was tough."

The side played Sri Lanka in a practise match before facing Zimbabwe.

They are now scheduled to meet the Netherlands in their second game.

Local side on target for Futsal title

Noumea club side AS PTT is in the running for the top title at the OFC Futsal Men's Champions League in New Caledonia.

The side has gone through three games without a loss this week, claiming a draw against the other favourite, Solomon Islands' Mataks FC on Thursday.

Club coach Michel Wassin said after a difficult year his side has everything to play for.

He was referring to the loss of their late captain Marcel Hnepeune, who passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest during a local club match a year ago.

Wassin told OFC media that has kept the players fighting to win the title in Hnepeune's memory.

"This event that brings the team together once again is a way for us to come back, to stand up again against a very, very difficult year," Wassin said.

"I wanted to thank all the families that have been with us for this difficult moment, all the players that are still here, that are still trying. I believe that because they are here today, they are together once again. I believe they've already won against this difficulty, and this is already a good thing for me."

He said playing at home has put the team under pressure, but the players have risen above that.

"I believe it's a great source of motivation to play at home. Sure, some boys in the team might feel pressure, but overall, I think it's a great pleasure to play in front of a crowd that we know, a crowd that is our people," he said.

AS PTT is joined by club sides from Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu in the competition.

The final will be held on Sunday.

Fijian women ready for final battle

Fijian Drua Women coach Mosese Rauluni is happy with the progress of new players in the squad, and how they have progressed through the season.

Rauluni, in Brisbane with the team to prepare for Sunday's final against the Waratahs, has told the media that the new players have contributed a lot to the team this year.

"They have learned a lot and have gelled well with the experienced players who have been with us for the last three years," he said.

"A lot of these girls have experienced it twice before and for some of them it's a new experience so what a great occasion and I know the people of Queensland will come out and support us against the team we love to hate."

He said the team is now focused on winning their third title against the former champions, who are the team to beat this season.

"We have come through a lot together this year, there were ups and downs, lessons to learn," he said.

"It is finals time now, and we will give it our best shot. If we turn up and play our game as we have practiced, then we should be ok."

Flanker Nunia Daunimoala told FBC Sports that they are ready to defend the title they have kept in the last two years.

She said the players are in good spirits in their Brisbane camp as they look to turn the tables against the side that thrashed them 62-21 in the round-robin this year.

"Our preparations are quite good, but there are some small things that we need to improve on, but we are ready to face the Waratahs on Sunday," she said.

"We are expecting to win because it is our third time to play in the final and we are confident."

The Drua Women will take on the Waratahs in the Super W final on Sunday, 4pm (Fiji Time) at Ballymore Stadium in Brisbane.

Savea wary of Drua threat

Moana Pasifika's Julian Savea has warned his fellow players to expect the Fijian wrath in Lautoka on Saturday.

The side will meet the Fijian Drua in round 10 of the Super Rugby Pacific competition.

The former All Black told FBC Sports in Nadi that the Drua outfit will be eager to win at home, following their loss to the Hurricanes last weekend.

Drua has not lost a game in Lautoka so far.

"I guess the Drua have created a fortress here and everyone knows it's hard to play here," he said.

"So, we're coming in really well prepared and mentally for us it's just showing up and making sure we have some high energy to match the crowd here and the way the Drua play."

But he said they are also confident of their chances against the home side.

He believes his side is well-equipped to match the Drua's intensity and skill.

The two Pasifika teams will be battling to confirm their status in the top eight.

Drua sits at seventh and Moana Pasifika on eighth spot.

Tongan loosie Lotu Inisi, who was out because of an injury, returns to the bench and his impact off that in the second half would be interesting to see.

Moana Pasifika have named their strongest match-day 23 available to battle the Drua.

With injuries ruling out some of their top players, head coach Fa'alogo Tana Umaga has opted to retain the core of the team that defeated the Reds in Whangarei two weeks ago.

'Ikale Tahi flanker Sione Havili Talitui keeps the number eight spot and the captain's armband.

Veterans Sekope Kepu and Christian Le'alifano will start off the bench in the match.

Drua recalls Ravula with seven changes made

Flyhalf Isaiah Washington-Ravula returns to the starting team after missing last weekend's loss to the Hurricanes in Suva.

The 20-year-old flew to New Zealand for a family funeral last week and re-joined camp early this week.

Coach Mick Byrne has opted for a 6-2 bench with halfback Simione Kuruvoli and Michael Naitokani, the only backline players named in the reserves.

Byrne has also made seven changes to the starting line-up.

Zuriel Togiatama, Etonia Waqa, Meli Derenalagi, Peni Matawalu, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Taniela Rakuro and Apisalome Vota are the new faces in the starting line-up.

Haereiti Hetet, Mesake Doge, Isoa Nasilasila, Leone Rotuisolia, Kitione Salawa, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada and Ilaisa Droasese retain their spots.

The Drua play Moana Pasifika at 2.00pm on Saturday at Churchill Park in Lautoka.

FIJIAN DRUA match-day 23: 1. Haereiti Hetet, 2. Zuriel Togiatama, 3. Mesake Doge, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Leone Rotuisolia, 6. Etonia Waga, 7. Kitione Salawa, 8. Meli Derenalagi (c), 9. Peni Matawalu, 10. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 11. Taniela Rakuro, 12. Apisalome Vota, 13. Iosefo Masi, 14. Selestino Ravutaumada, 15. Ilaisa Droasese; RESERVES: 16. Mesu Dolokoto, 17. Livai Natave, 18. Samu Tawake, 19. Mesake Vocevoce, 20. Vilive Miramira, 21. Elia Canakaivata, 22. Simione Kuruvoli, 23. Michael Naitokani.

MOANA PASIFIKA match-day 23: 1. Abraham Pole, 2. Samiuela Moli, 3. Sione Mafileo, 4. Tom Savage, 5. Allan Craig, 6. Irie Papuni, 7. Jacob Norris, 8. Sione Havili Talitui (c), 9. Ereatara Enari, 10. William Havili, 11. Fine Inisi, 12. Julian Savea, 13. Henry Taefu, 14. Viliami Fine, 15. Danny Toala; RESERVES: 16. Sama Malolo, 17. Sateki Latu, 18. Sekope Kepu, 19. Ola Tauelangi, 20. Lotu Inisi, 21. Jonathan Taumateine, 22. Christian Lealiifano, 23. Neria Fomai.

In other matches, the Hurricanes will meet the Brumbies on Saturday at 4.35pm (NZ time) at the GIO Stadium, Canberra.

James O'Reilly has big boots to fill as he takes ownership of the No. 2 jersey for the Hurricanes, in the wake of a knee injury for Asafo Aumua that will keep him out at least until the playoffs and potentially for the rest of the season.

There will be plenty of focus on O'Reilly - who started in the win over the Drua last Friday - and back-up Raymond Tuputupu in the weeks ahead, with coach Clark Laidlaw revealing they sent an SOS to former All Black and Hurricane Dane Coles, only for the veteran to suffer a hamstring injury at the weekend.

Brett Cameron returns at first-five and Ruben Love at fullback as the Hurricanes head to Canberra to face the third-placed Brumbies - a city where they haven't won since 2017.

The Highlanders meet the Force on Saturday, 7.05pm at the Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin.

The Highlanders have returned fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens and halfback Folau Fakatava to the starting side for their crunch fixture against the Force in Dunedin.

They were thrashed by the Reds last weekend.

Lock Patrick Tuipulotu will lead the Blues as they look to keep their winning run going against the Reds in Brisbane on Saturday night.

The Suncorp Stadium battle will see loose forward Akira Ioane miss the clash.

Wing Caleb Clarke moves to the bench another after a bruised calf limited his training load this week.

AJ Lam will start in his place.