Australia

Call for decision on Cooks Sunday flights

In a referendum in April, a majority of the island's population voted to end Sunday flights to and from Rarotonga, with those wanting the ban saying Sunday is a sacred day when businesses shouldn't operate.

The prime minister, Henry Puna, called the referendum as part of a campaign promise in the lead-up to a by-election on the island, but has still not said whether he will honour the result.

The corporation's director of destination development, Metua Vaiimene, says the tourism industry is firmly in support of keeping the flights.

Wales tired of Australia 'heartache' - Hook

Wales have lost 10 matches in a row to the Wallabies, but each of the last nine have been by nine points or less.

They meet again at Twickenham on Saturday to determine who tops Pool A.

"The boys have spoken about how much heartache we've had against Australia so we have to go in with huge motivation," said the fly-half, 30.

"Everyone is beatable, it's just about getting it right on the day."

Australia won a thrilling match 33-28 in Cardiff the last time the two sides met, on 8 November 2014.

Michael Hooper to miss Wales game

Hooper, 23, was cited for clearing out Mike Brown at a ruck during the Wallabies' 33-13 win against England.

Citing commissioner Steve Hinds ruled Hooper had used his shoulder illegally.

Wales and Australia have both qualified for the World Cup quarter-finals and the winner of the game at Twickenham will top their group.

Australian Government working on new refugee resettlement deal: Dutton

Dutton told the ABC the Government was in discussions with parties other than Cambodia, which he said remained committed to resettlement despite "undermining" from refugee advocates.

“We're working and have been for a long period of time working on other bilateral options," he said.

“We have Cambodia available as an option and it is difficult when we've got probably well intentioned refugee advocates back here who are messaging up to these people on Nauru, saying 'don't accept any offer'.

VIDEO: 2015 Rugby World Cup - England win a career high for Foley

Foley guided the Wallabies to a 33-13 win over England, consigning the hosts to the tournament scrapheap after just three games.

Foley has now ensured he will start against Wales at the same venue on Saturday night, with his performance against England set to go down in the pantheon of great games from Australian fly-halves.

See video for highlights.

VIDEO: Rugby World Cup 2015 - England set for must-win Australia clash

Up next for Stuart Lancaster's men are Australia. They face the Aussies in a must-win game on Saturday.

Beat the Wallabies and England are all but guaranteed their place in the next round. However, a draw would still earn the men in white a stay of execution. 

Defeat and it's goodnight England.

England v Australia: Biggest game of our careers - Stuart Lancaster

About 82,000 will be at Twickenham on Saturday, and defeat means England would be the first World Cup hosts to fail to reach the knockout stages.

They have won four of the past five meetings with Australia.

"It is a huge game, at home. With the whole country behind us, we'll be difficult to beat," Lancaster said.

Australia have won both their matches in the tournament, while England let slip a 10-point lead with 30 minutes remaining to lose 28-25 to Wales in their previous encounter.

Stuart Lancaster focused on Australia

But he said if England failed to get out of the group stages the "accountability lies with me".

England's 28-25 defeat by Wales on Saturday left his team third in Pool A.

They now face the prospect of becoming the first host nation not to reach the knockout stage of a World Cup if they are beaten by the Wallabies.

Aussie Rugby League team wins second match

The game was the second by the visitors during their short visit to Tonga. In their first game against a Tonga A team on Thursday, they completely demolished the local team 64-14.

The local Rugby League officials were not very happy with the outcome, with the visitors winning both of their games. The annual visit to Tonga by a selected Australian rugby league team is an effort to raise the standard of Rugby League in the country.

Climate justice protesters call on Australia to support the Pacific

Twenty seven climate justice activist, mostly women were detained by Police Wednesday for protesting outside the Australian High Commission.

“If Australia and New Zealand really care about the Pacific as a partner, they must stand with us to call for global climate justice at the upcoming COP21 summit in Paris later this year,” said the protesters.

The peaceful demonstration included civil society organizations, women’s groups and students who urged the Australian and New Zealand governments to support the Pacific call at the COP21 summit in Paris, France in November.