The Cook Islands rugby league men’s team at the recent Pacific Championships. NRL/CIRL Photo: NRL/CIRL
League
The Cook Islands men's league team will battle South Africa in Sydney on Sunday, aiming for a spot at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
Fresh off their Pacific Bowl campaign, the Aitu need to win the clash to book a spot in the world meet, scheduled for Australia and Papua New Guinea.
The side lost their Pacific Bowl matches against Fiji and the PNG Kumuls, but head coach Karmichael Hunt said the experience was needed.
Football
Oceania Football wants to introduce Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology at the Oceania Football Confederation Pro League.
The Pro League begins in January.
OFC said regional referees have been given training on the technology, with a recent workshop in Suva also addressing that.
A trial was also held during the recent Oceania Women's Nations Cup in Suva, featuring a seven-camera setup transmitting real-time footage to a simulated VAR operating room in Auckland.
Rugby
Manu Samoa's campaign to win a spot at the 2027 Rugby World Cup has been boosted by the return of some key players, who were earlier unavailable.
Moana Pasifika trio Miracle Failangi, Johnathan Taumaiteine and Lalomilo Lalomilo have all been named in the squad for the final qualification tournament this month.
Also back in the squad are veteran Michael Ala'alatoa and captain Theodore McFarland.
Manu Samoa will meet Brazil, Naimibia and Belgium, with the winner qualifying for the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
Rugby
The Chiefs, runners-up in the Super Rugby Pacific competition over the last two seasons, have signed Wallaby Lalakai Foketi for the 2026 season.
Foketi, who was born in Kirikiriroa Hamilton, was part of the Chiefs' pathways programme before making Super Rugby appearances with the Melbourne Rebels.
He returned to play provincial rugby for Bay of Plenty this year.
Chiefs head coach Jono Gibbes said his addition will bolster the team's depth in the midfield.
Rugby
Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne says they will have a tough battle against England at Twickenham on 8 November.
The Fijians will kick off their three-match tour against the English, who defeated Australia 25-7 last weekend.
Byrne said the match will be a good test for the Fijians.
Former All Black Pita Gus Sowakula is in the side, after becoming available for Fiji from 9 July.
Sowakula played two Tests for New Zealand in 2022 and was allowed to switch allegiance after completing a three-year stand-down period.
