New Zealand

Rabuka has been the central figure in Fijian politics since 1987 - as the nation's first coup maker, a former prime minister, most recently the leader of opposition, and now a reformed Christian and politician, and the leader of the People's Alliance Party.

The former military strongman has positioned himself as the chief rival of the country's incumbent prime minister Frank Bainimarama - a former military commander and coup leader himself - as Fijians prepare to head to the polls at some stage later this year.

Most of the team have played no more than one game for Tonga, with big names such as Andrew Fifita and Tevita Pangai Jnr watching from the side-line while Joe Ofahengaue sits in reserve.

The line-up is young with three teenagers in the mix, 19-year-olds Will Penisini, and Toluta'u Koula, along with 18-year-old reserve Isaiya Katoa. Despite the inexperience, Mate Ma'a Tonga Coach Michael Maguire said the players are being well prepped by the leading members of the team.

Ko E Fetu’u’esiafi, the name of the chant, was given to the Tongan women's rugby league team back in 2008 by The Princess Royal, Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu Tuita. 

The name representing fire-carrying or shooting stars is an attribute the team hope to bring to this weekend's match against the three-time world champs.

Labour MP, Anahila Kanongata'a Suisuiki, the composer, says it’s now up to the ladies to perform. 

“We needed to compose something brand new to fit the new name that the team has been bestowed upon,” says Suisuiki. 

Huge crowds gathered at the community event at the Otahuhu Rovers Rugby League Stadium to watch the Men and Women's Kiwis and Tonga teams take the stage ahead of their test games on Saturday.

Both the men's and women's teams made a joint public appearance before the crowds.

The passionate crowds predominately made up of Tongan fans, sang church hymns and waved flags.

Mate Ma'a Tonga Captain Sio Siua Taukeiaho said the event is a welcome relief for many Tongans traumatised by January's volcanic eruption that devastated Tonga.

A small crowd of Tongan supporters greeted the team at Auckland Airport which included Labour MP Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki.

Crowds have been reduced due to covid restrictions.

The team will greet the public and media at a joint gathering at Otahuhu Leopards Rugby League Club on Wednesday.

It comes ahead of the Rugby League World Cup in September this year where New Zealand is likely to come face to face with their Pacific Island neighbours.

Nearly half of the Kiwis team is made up of Pasifika players who have had to choose between representing New Zealand and their island nations of heritage.

"If I play against Samoa...that would be weird but hopefully, I won't come across that problem", he joked.

Kiwi winger Katelyn Vaha'akolo, who is of Maori and Tongan heritage said it's also been a dilemma for her.

NIWA - the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research - said it had been flooded with messages from people asking about the vibrant purple and orange hues lighting the sky.

NIWA colleagues at the Lauder Atmospheric Research Station in Central Otago confirmed their LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) instrument had been picking up unusual increases in aerosols in the stratosphere, about 20km to 25km above New Zealand.

It was thought the aerosols were the cause of the remarkable skyscapes being spotted around the country lately, NIWA said in a statement.

On the eve of England’s three-test tour of Australia, Rugby Australia and the RFU have agreed to retire the 25-year-old crystal trophy named after Captain James Cook.

In its place will be a new design they say better represents the long rugby tradition between the two nations.

After unanimous support from the RA board, the Ella-Mobbs trophy will be unveiled on the Friday before the first test in Perth, in time for NAIDOC week, which kicks off on July 4 and culminates in a potential first outing for the Wallabies’ Indigenous jersey in the second test in Brisbane.

The victory books Costa Rica's place at the World Cup later this year, along with $16.5 million dollars in prize money.

The Central Americans scored first, taking a 1-0 lead in just the third minute through a scrappy break away goal from Joel Campbell.

The All Whites responded well and thought they'd scored an equaliser through striker Chris Wood late in the first half, only for the goal to be ruled out by the video assistant referee, with a New Zealand player deemed to have committed a foul in the build-up.

The programme delivers maritime safety initiatives to seven Pacific Island countries – Cook Islands, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga and Tuvalu.

The funding, from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2026, marks the fourth phase of the programme.

The PMSP is a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade programme, funded through the International Development Cooperation programme and delivered by Maritime NZ.