Photo: PHOTOSPORT
League star Taumalolo cops ban
Jason Taumalolo has been handed a three-game ban for a dangerous tackle in the NRL semifinals over the weekend.
The North Queensland Cowboy lock was sinbinned in the 16th minute of his team's 24 - 20 loss to the Parramatta Eels.
He was sinbinned for shouldercharging the head of Eel's second rower Isaiah Papali'i.
The suspension means Taumalolo will be unavailable for Tonga's warm-up match with France as well as two World Cup games.
Moana Pasifika to play in Samoa
Moana Pasifika will play a historic first Super Rugby home match in Apia next year.
The 2023 Super Rugby Pacific draw sees 12 teams, including Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua, playing across New Zealand, Fiji and Australia, with the one match in Samoa on April 14.
The Blues played the Reds in Apia in 2017 as part of the Super Rugby competition, but this is a first home game for Moana Pasifika since they joined Super Rugby Pacific.
A blockbuster round one match will see Moana Pasifika play at their Mt Smart Stadium home in Auckland against the Fijian Drua on February 25.