World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson said the new competition is part of World Rugby's strategic investment in programmes that expand rugby's reach. Photo: World Rugby
Rugby
Samoa and Tonga will compete in the first World Rugby Nations Cup, which will kick off in July 2026.
The two will represent the Pacific in the competition.
They will be joined by Canada, Chile, Georgia, Hong Kong/China, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Uruguay, USA and Zimbabwe.
World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson said the new competition is part of World Rugby's strategic investment in programmes that expand rugby's reach around the globe.
Meanwhile, Fiji has an invitational entry into the tier one Nations Championship with Six Nations and Sanzaar countries.
Football
Fiji football international Roy Kirshna is wanted by the Bula FC club, ahead of their debut at the new Oceania Football Confederation Pro-League.
FBC reported the India-based striker has been in discussions with the club, with his current contract with Malappuram FC in India ending in June next year.
The new OFC Pro-League kicks off in Auckland on 17 January, 2026, with Bula FC set to play against Vanuatu United FC first-up.
Football
Tonga's Mataliki women's football team have arrived in Rarotonga, ahead of this weekend's first round of the Oceania World Cup qualifier tournament.
The team was joined by USA-based player Daviana Waka in Auckland, before they headed to the Cook Islands.
Tonga will battle American Samoa in the qualifier, while Tahiti meets the Cook Islands on Friday local time.
The winners will then meet in the final game on 1 December\, and the winner of that match will advance to round two of the qualifiers, scheduled for February 2026.
Powerlifting
The Niue Powerlifting Federation now have three qualified coaches who can coach teams at all levels of powerlifting championships, including regional and World Championships santioned by the international body.
The International Powerlifting Federation said the three coaches - Maxine Edwards, Sidney Lui, and Tony Edwards - have attained the highest level of coaching qualification.
The trio led the Niue powerlifting team to the Oceania Regional Powerlifting Championships, in Christchurch earlier this month.
Football
The Vanuatu Government will divert funds usually allocated for government Christmas parties towards rewarding the members of the Vanuatu football teams that competed at the recent Melanesian Cup football tournament.
The Vanuatu Daily Post reported the country's Council of Ministers has decided to allocate 10 million vatu, equivalent to around US$81,500, for players and team officials.
The Vanuatu men's team defeated Papua New Guinea in the final to win the country's second Melanesian Cup since 1990.
The Prime Minister's office said officials and players from both men's and women's teams will be rewarded financially and presented with medals.
