Pasifika Sipoti in brief for 25 June
Photo:
Christophe Fotozz, Tahiti
Fiji women's football coach Angeline Chua has named a number of overseas-based players in her final 23-member squad for the upcoming OFC Women's Nations Cup in Fiji.
The squad features a mix of seasoned players and fresh faces, with five overseas-based players included to bolster the team's campaign.
Two of the key players in the team are forward Trina Davis, currently playing for FC Olympia USLW in the United States, and Preeya Singh, a promising midfielder from the University of California.
The Fijians are in Group B of the Nations Cup alongside Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu.
The side will mee the Solomon Islands on 5 July in their opening match.
Group A is made up of Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tahiti and Cook Islands.
Pasifika heritage players Hoskins Sotutu and Mark Tele'a are reportedly in South Africa to play for the Barbarians against the Springboks on Sunday morning (New Zealand time).
The two Blues players were left out of the All Blacks squad selected on Monday, and media reports say they are in Cape Town to join the Barbarians.
The Barbarians, coached by former All Blacks coach Robbie Deans, and assisted by former All Black Sam Whitelock, will meet the world champions in Cape Town on Sunday.
Tele'a, who is of Samoan origin, is moving to Japan to join the Toyota Verblitz club.
Sotutu, who is of Fijian origin, has missed All Blacks selection for the second consecutive season.
Fiji's weightlifting coach says they have recently shifted focus to recovery and injury prevention, gradually tapering the workload to ensure the athletes are in peak condition for the Pacific Mini Games.
FBC News
reported the nine-member team, under coach Henry Elder, is keen to showcase its talent and bring medals home.
The 2025 Pacific Mini Games will officially open in Koror on Sunday.
The Hyderabad Heroes and Chennai Bulls have qualified for the semi-finals of the Rugby Premier League sevens franchise tournament in Mumbai, India.
The Heroes, who have Fiji sevens reps Joji Nasova and Terio Tamani as part of their five international players, have won seven of eight matches so far.
The Bulls have won five, drawn once and lost three games to date.
Toutai Kefu, head coach of the First Nations and Pasifika XV team to face the British & Irish Lions in Melbourne on 22 July, hopes the playing squad will be named soon.
The first-ever rugby clash between the combined heritage team and the Lions is attracting a lot of interest, with some big names being floated around.
Kefu said the Wallabies selectors, led by head coach Joe Schmidt, will pick the players.
The former Wallaby says the squad will assemble on 15 July to prepare for the game, which is part of the Lions' nine-match tour of Australia.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
4 hours ago
- RNZ News
England women's football team calls in police after racist abuse
United Kingdom correspondent Edward O'Driscoll spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about the England women's football team who called in police after one of its stars revealed she'd been targeted by racist abuse, as well as the World Snail Racing Championship which was held in Norfolk over the weekend. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
RNZ News
10 hours ago
- RNZ News
Fiji coach doubles down on claim NZ Rugby contracts restrict players from representing Pacific nations
Byrne claims he has spoken to some player agents who confirmed that there is an agreement players sign, and these are attached to their contracts. Photo: Fiji Rugby Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne has told RNZ Pacific that New Zealand-based players of Pacific Island heritage have signed letters of agreement attached to their contracts, which bar them from playing for teams other than the All Blacks. In an exclusive interview with RNZ Pacific, Byrne said that while New Zealand Rugby has publicly stated that players contracted to NZ-based Super Rugby clubs are free to choose which national team they want to represent, he has been told otherwise. This follows comments he made in June, stating that some players of Fijian heritage playing Super Rugby Pacific in New Zealand have been unable to play for Fiji because their contracts ban them from doing so. Byrne claims he has spoken to some player agents who confirmed that there is an agreement players sign, and these are attached to their contracts. "I know New Zealand Rugby came out and said they're not contracted; well to the letter of the law, they're probably not, but they have a letter attached to their contract that they signed that they can't play," Byrne said. "At the moment, I'm trying to chase down a couple of players. Since we spoke, a couple of the players have been taken into wider training squads, but there's still a couple of players there that I'd like to talk to, but we still need to get their approval. "I know New Zealand Rugby said I was wrong, but I've done some investigations and spoken with agents, and they've told me that the players actually signed a letter attached to their contract, and there's a little bit more to it. "I'd actually like to get some more details. I'm investigating and trying to find out exactly where we're at." NZ Rugby Photo: Photosport However, he said there is light at the end of the tunnel, as there is a process that can be followed to get players released from their current arrangements while still honouring their player contracts. "But my understanding is I can't just say if a player wants to play for Fiji. I can't just sign him and get him to play. "I have to go through a process to get him cleared to be released from current letter of arrangement that New Zealand Rugby have with these players." Last month, a New Zealand Rugby spokesperson told RNZ Pacific that, while the they could not comment on individual players, the union was clear on what it can do, including offering contracts to up to three players who may not opt to play for New Zealand. Responding to Byrne's claims, New Zealand Rugby maintained that players have the freedom to choose which national union pathway they wish to pursue and that is declared at the time they sign their contracts. "NZR's five Super Rugby Pacific clubs have the ability to contract up to three 'non-NZ eligible players' who have already played internationally (including for Pacific Island nations Samoa, Tonga or Fiji) or who have declared their intent to play internationally for a non-NZ national team at international level and therefore not make themselves eligible for NZ national teams. "All other players contracted to NZR's five Super Rugby clubs have declared their availability and intention to represent NZ national teams over the duration of their contract." Byrne is interested to discuss options with Blues' Hoskins Sotutu, Crusaders' George Bower and Highlanders pair Jona Nareki and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens. Former All Black Sotutu will be eligible to play for Fiji this year and is also eligible for England through his mother. Bower, who was also going to be eligible to play for Fiji this year, has since been recalled into the All Blacks by head coach Scot Robertson, and is named on the bench for Saturday's third Test against France in Hamilton. Both Nareki and Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens are currently contracted to the Highlanders and have both indicated their willingness to play for Fiji. Byrne said he will continue to pursue the issue and hopes to have some positive news soon. With the 2027 Rugby World Cup in 24 months, the Fiji head coach is hopeful he will be able to use some of the New Zealand-based players during the 2026 build-up campaign.
RNZ News
13 hours ago
- RNZ News
Solomon Islands and Samoa make history at the OFC Nations Cup
By PMN News Solomon Islands lift the OFC Women's Nations Cup trophy for 2025 at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. 19 July 2025. Photo: Kirk Corrie / The Solomon Islands and Samoa both made history as the 2025 Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Women's Nations Cup tournament ended in Fiji over the weekend. The Solomon Islands made history by winning the competition for the first time, defeating the defending champions, Papua New Guinea, 3-2 in a thrilling final that went into extra time. The game took place at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, where the crowd was electric. In another exciting match, Samoa secured third place by beating the Fijian hosts 2-0, marking their best finish ever in the tournament. The event featured a total of eight teams. In the final match, the teams were tied 2-2 after regular time, leading to extra play to determine the winner. The Solomon Islands took an early lead when Lorina Solosaia scored in the 18th minute, stunning their opponents. PNG quickly responded, levelling the score before halftime, but the Solomons regained the lead thanks to a free-kick goal right after the break. PNG fought back again to tie the game at 2-2, but fatigue began to set in for them as they played with only 10 players after one of them received a red card. In extra time, substitute Jemina David seized the opportunity and scored the winning goal for the Solomon Islands, making it a historic moment for their team and fans. Fiji v Samoa in the 3rd & 4th Play Off during the OFC Women's Nations Cup 2025. 19 July 2025. Photo: Kirk Corrie / In the play-off match, Samoa pulled off a surprising victory against Fiji, who were the favourites. Samoa started strong with two quick goals from Lilly Dowsing, putting them ahead early on. Despite Fiji's attempts to come back, they couldn't find the net, and Sāmoa held on for the win, celebrating their best-ever result in the competition. Overall, both Solomon Islands and Samoa showed impressive talent and determination throughout the tournament, leaving a lasting mark on the history of women's football in the Oceania region. -This article was first published by PMN
