rugby league

Rugby league star Andrew Fifita shares despair, redemption in Christchurch

The 27-year-old NRL prop for the Cronulla-Sharks arrived in Christchurch from Sydney with his wife, Nikki,​ and two young children on Wednesday morning.

Fifita, who is Tongan and Aboriginal, was invited to speak to whanau in east Christchurch ahead of a Pacific Series 2016 tournament at Wainoni Park on November 11 and 12. 

Fifita did not hold back as he talked candidly about his upbringing in a state house in Western Sydney, his "troubled teenage life", the harsh realities of his professional football career, battles with weight gain and his descent in to depression. 

Kiwis go down in Perth to Kangaroos after lacklustre effort

In a test that was short of thrilling moments, Australia put in a workmanlike performance to record their second straight win over the No 1 team in the world.

The Kangaroos outscored the Kiwis five tries to one, with a big problem for New Zealand being knowing what the right move should be when attacking on the last tackle.

The spark that guided them to the outstanding 26-12 win over the Kangaroos in Brisbane last year, just wasn't there and other than the big runs from Jason Taumalolo, there were few 'wow' moments from players in black and white jerseys.

Fiji Residents too strong for Tonga

FijiVillage reports Fiji pressured Tonga throughout the match however Tonga managed to score three tries.

Fiji Coach Josaia Rabele says the boys played a lazy game and they could have prevented the Tongan’s from scoring a try.

Rabele says they will need to improve in defence in the ruck area if they want to win games.

     

Tongans ready for big clash in Fiji

Team manager Toa Kaufusi said they brought 18 players with them to play against the Fiji residents and to also tour Hawaii for their game against the Toa Samoa, but the two players might not make it.

Kaufusi said there were some difficulties faced in the interview and they were trying to work on re-applying for the duo's visa.

But today as they face the Fiji residents, Kaufusi said the Tongan side was made up of local players and none have had the experience of playing in International competitions just like the Fiji Residents.

Tonga takes low-key approach to RLWC

Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea will host the tournament, from October 27 to December 2, 2017.

The World Cup draw was announced last week with Tonga drawn to play New Zealand, Samoa and Scotland in Pool B.

The Mate Ma'a Tonga won't play any fixture or gather again this year despite a big year coming up.

In October the Kiwis will play Australia, Samoa is scheduled to host Fiji and Papua New Guinea will conduct a training camp but Tonga's coach Kristian Woolf said there were no plans for his squad, which he believed was a positive.

Pacific Islands battle, Fiji to take on Tonga

Fiji Bati assistant coach Jo Rabele said they were concentrating on a game plan which the local players needed to use after consultation with head coach and Australian-based Michael Potter.

"The teams had been selected from our inter-zone competitions and they had gone through fitness tests. We selected the best players and I am trying to blend the boys together to build a better combination," he said.                    

"We are working on a game plan which we will use against Tonga during the match before going to Hawaii for the tournament."

NZ Warriors could play in Pacific Islands

The move would be designed to boost the profile of both the Warriors and the NRL in a key development region.

Games staged in Tonga, Samoa or Fiji could potentially draw large crowds, with rugby union's Super Rugby competition recently staging a game in Suva, Fiji, which attracted 19,000 spectators.            

The Warriors' current deal with Mount Smart in Auckland, however, means that they can play only one away game a season outside of Mount Smart.

NSW police and NRL investigating John Hopoate incident during Samoa-Tonga test

It's claimed that an intoxicated fan was ejected from the stadium for throwing beer on Hopoate, his son and a Tonga team sponsor.

The Daily Telegraph reported that the former NRL bad boy did not instigate the alleged incident, where a Tongan supporter is alleged to have heckled Hopoate, an unofficial coaching consultant for Tonga.

Toa Samoa to host first ever league test in Apia

RNZI reports the Toa beat Tonga 18-6 at the weekend in the Pacific Test to retain the Polynesian Cup while Fiji were upset 24-22 by Papua New Guinea in the Melanesian Cup.

Rugby League International Federation Deputy Chair John Grant said the Test is a fitting way for Samoa to celebrate 30 years of rugby league in the country.

PNG stuns Fiji in a thriller

Fiji led 16-8 at the break but had no answers for a PNG side that helped breathe fresh air into the international game. 

Papua New Guinea's spine proved the difference in the end with halfback Watson Boas scoring a double, his brother Ase kicking four goals and hooker Wartovo Puara Junior proving a handful whenever he touched the ball with two try assists.