Sevens teams back in action; Fiji women lose to Philippines, and PNG footballers ready for tri-nations
Sevens teams back in series play
The Samoa and Fiji sevens rugby teams are back in action on the sevens field in Singapore this weekend.
Manu Samoa had been due to play in the last two legs in Spain in January, but had to withdraw late due to Covid-19.
The first squad back in the series features nine debutants.
Fijiana sevens coach Saiasi Fuli watches on during training. Photo: Fiji Rugby
Samoa are in Pool B with Australia, England and Spain.
Meanwhile, the return of Jerry Tuwai at the Singapore Sevens is a boost for Fiji.
Head Coach Ben Gollings was also eager to test out some of the young guns like Filipo Bukayaro.
Fiji are paired with Ireland, France and Japan in their pool.
Fiji footballers ready for second test against Philippines
The Fiji Football women's team suffered a heavy defeat to the Philippines in Sydney last night, losing 7-2 to a team preparing for its debut appearance in next year's World Cup.
It was Fiji's first international match in more than two years.
The side meet the Philippines again on Monday, also in Sydney.
Fiji, who were runners-up at the OFC Women's Nations Cup 2018, will know a repeat of four years ago will give them a chance to enter the inter-confederation play-offs next February.
PNG coach says tri-nations will test her team
Papua New Guinea women's football team coach Nicola Demaine said the upcoming Singapore tri-nations series will show her where her 20-strong squad stands.
The tournament will be PNG's first international appearance since the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa, where they won their fifth gold in a row.
PNG will play their first match against Seychelles tonight before facing hosts Singapore at Jalan Besar Stadium on Monday.
Delmaine said the players need a reminder of how it feels to be dealing with pressure, preparing themselves, and recovering.
That will show them where they stand with the rescheduled Women's Oceania Nations Cup now taking place in June and July.
But she admits that not everyone in the squad is ready for the Cup and that they were trying to get all players up to speed.
Athletes have foot on plane for Commonwealth Games
A quartet of Papua New Guinea athletes have qualified for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England later this year.
The four athletes included 2018 Commonwealth Games silver medallists Dika Toua and Morea Baru from weightlifting, along with Geoffrey Loi and Tammy Agari from table tennis.
The Commonwealth Games Federation has confirmed that the four athletes had qualified through the regional qualification process.
Thirty-seven-year-old Oceania Champion Toua will be looking to upgrade her silver medal from 2018 in the women's 48kg category in her fifth appearance at the Games.
Baru will be participating in the men's 61kg weight category.
Both athletes are currently based in Melbourne.