Samoa

Real Tonga Airlines plans to use one of its 34-seater planes from the northern island of Vava'u - which is closer to Samoa than Tonga's main islands.

RNZ reports while in Samoa, Real Tonga's general manager commercial, Tele Faletau, met with representatives of Polynesian Airlines about a possible codeshare.

Mr Faletau said a link between Samoa and Tonga has been needed for a long time.

The late Lockington is an upcoming goal keeper, who was part of the team to participate in the OFC U-19 Women’s Championship but withdraw prior to the team’s departure due to illness.

Her death was a big blow for the Fiji team but despite of cloud of sadness hovering over them they put their hearts for Francine.

Fiji coach Saroj Kumar said it was tough outing for the Fijian girls who were still visibly shaken by the loss of their teammate and they want to dedicate his side’s valiant performance to Lockington.

With the combined results of the 2016 and 2017 cups doubling as World Cup qualifiers, Samoa needed to at least draw with the unbeaten Fijians to overhaul Tonga and reach the tournament in Japan in two years time.

Even a bonus point in defeat might have been enough.

They led 16-14 at half time in Apia but had no answers as Fiji over-ran them in the second half.

Fiji, who secured qualification last week when they defeated Tonga 14-10, scored five tries in total, including a hat-trick to scrumhalf Henry Seniloli.

Siopili Perez says at the last general fono the new public service commissioner was asked to investigate bringing the core operation to Tokelau while maintaining a function in Apia.

Mr Perez said the commissioner is due to submit a report at the next general fono in two weeks which will outline recommendations on how to structure the administration.

The ulu said while transport and recruitment would stay in Apia, all other services would eventually move to Tokelau.

For the local Tongan community, the twice weekly flights on Sundays and Thursdays, is a much less burden — especially on the financial side — on having to travel via Samoa and Fiji to get to Tonga.

Using its nine-seater passenger aircraft, Talofa Airways launched Sunday morning its inaugural direct-flight from Pago Pago International Airport to Tonga’s capital of Nuku’alofa.

In 2016, a hugely successful U-17 women’s tournament was hosted in Cook Islands featuring nine nations of which Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu, made their debuts at this age-group. For Fiji it was an historic outing after they finished third, narrowly beating New Caledonia in the match for third place.

This year will mark the debut of American Samoa, who have never participated in this competition, and the return to this level for Solomon Islands whose last outing was in 2010 when they finished a very respectable second.

Tonga take on Samoa on Saturday in the 2017 Pacific Nations Cup opener before tackling Fiji on July 8.

“We are on track,” the former Wallabies No.8 said.

It’s been several years since there has been an international rugby match at Teufaiva Stadium. The Tonga Rugby Union (TRU) is hosting two matches of the 2017 PNC.

The last international rugby game to be held at Teufaiva Stadium, according to the TRU was in 2012, between Tonga and the Flying Fijians.

Kicking off just over a year after the 2016 OFC U-17 Championship – and only a few months after the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Papua New Guinea – there are many familiar faces coming to Auckland this July.

Defending champions New Zealand have recruited an army of international experience for their attempt at a sixth-consecutive title including Malia Steinmetz, Grace Jale, and goalkeeper Anna Leat – who will offer senior international football experience to Gareth Turnball’s squad having already been in the mix for the New Zealand national women’s team.

The Blues region is home to about 150,000 Samoans while the team itself has a number of players with Samoan heritage, as well as head coach Tana Umaga.

"We've seen the amount of Samoan players that are playing overseas and it's good to take something back to the islands," he said.

"We saw it with obviously other teams going to Fiji and now it's Samoa's time. It will showcase what they can do and how they can cater for these big games, which is a positive," said Tana Umaga.

The family of Blues and All Black lock Patrick Tuipolotu emigrated to New Zealand from Samoa.

The airline chief executive, Toleafoa Jeffrey Hunter, said they would fly to Tonga four times a week, twice from Fagalii on Upolu and twice from Pago Pago.

RNZI reports the airline, which only launched its service last year, was originally planning to fly to Vava'u in Tonga's north, but Toleafoa said they intend to focus on Tongatapu initially.

Toleafoa said ensuring there was a reliable fuel supply at Vavau was also an issue.