Fiji

Exactly where the Super Rugby champions will play their matches in 2018 has yet to be made public, although chief executive Hamish Riach has already declared the competition schedule, released by Sanzaar last week, isn't conducive to his club transferring a fixture to the Fijian capital of Suva.

When the Chiefs transferred their "home" games against the Crusaders to Suva for the last two years, they did so in the knowledge that the Fijian government would invest around $1.6 million.

For the past two years the franchise has taken their big game, against what have become their fiercest rivals, to Suva, in a deal which reaped financial benefit, but left local fans missing out on attending the key derby. 

The 2018 draw was announced on Thursday, and while none of the New Zealand sides have confirmed their venues for their eight home fixtures, the Chiefs aren't expecting to play in Fiji for a third successive year.

The men's and women's tournaments were hosted at ANZ Stadium in Suva last December and will both return to the Fijian capital until at least 2019.

A record 21 teams are set to contest the 2017 Championships, including 13 men's teams and eight women's sides.

New Zealand will also enter teams in both the men's and women's competition for the first time in three years.

The Minister for Youth and Sports, Laisenia Bale Tuitubou, said the Fiji Government was delighted to secure hosting rights for another three years.

Air New Zealand said it had diverted several flights to Fiji over the past few days to top up on fuel.

It said the temporary shut-down of the damaged pipeline was affecting all airlines operating in and out of Auckland Airport.

The airport said it does not know how long the problem would take to fix, but it said it was in regular contact with the company responsible for the pipeline, Refinery New Zealand, to know when it would be operational again.

The fisheries minister, Semi Koroilavesau, said new regulations would be in force from June to September next year.

He said there would also be a permanent ban on the harvest, sale and export of beche de mer, as well as a ban on longline fishing within 10 nautical miles of barrier reefs.

The Fiji Times reported Mr Koroilavesau also promised increased enforcement of current size limits.

The measures are part commitments Fiji made at a United Nations oceans conference in June.

Fiji welcomed this opportunity during the signing of the World Bank establishment agreement at the Prime Minister’s office Wednesday.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says Fiji is honoured to host the World Bank group.

Bainimarama says Fiji’s relationship with the World Bank is growing and its presence at home will benefit not only Fiji but neighbouring countries.

In the men's draw, Nauru are chasing a third straight win against in the fifth place playoff against Great Britain, while Fiji are guaranteed to improve on their 10th place finish three years ago when they face Canada in the playoff for seventh spot.

Meanwhile it's an all-Pacific affair in the women's competition, with the Papua New Guinea Flames and Fiji playing off for fifth place.

PNG didn't compete at the last International Cup and tour manager Peter Harrison was expecting the Fijians to provide a stern challenge.

Already out of contention for the semi-final stage, competition debutants American Samoa will be out to cause an upset when they face Tonga in the opening match of the day. Tonga need a strong win – and Cook Islands to defeat Fiji – to equalise with Fiji on points and overtake the Melanesian nation on goal difference.

Feeling positive after claiming their first point of the competition on Monday, Tonga coach Lafaela Moala has put Cook Islands and Fiji’s encounter out of his mind and is keeping focus on repeating the impressive performance Tonga gave against Fiji.

The Fijians batted first and after 19.2 overs were reeling at 5-42. Wickets continued to fall and they found themselves all out for 88 inside 36 overs.

Jack Fraser Charters (16) and Samuel Nakuna (16) top scored with the bat. With the ball for Garamuts, it was Boge Daniel Arua (4/21) who did the damage.

Despite their losing their openers cheaply, Heagi Ronald Toua (27), Vagi Karaho (15) and Nou Reva Rarua (14*) guided the Garamuts home to reach the target in 25.2 overs losing six wickets along the way.

PNG will take on hosts Samoa tomorrow. 

News Hub reports it's the third time the crew aboard the HMNZS Hawea have caught offshore vessels breaking the law when it comes to proper disposal of waste.

The area is a multimillion-dollar tuna fishery - a precious resource that's often abused.

On board a Chinese long-liner, around 15km from land, the hold contains a sizeable catch of Albacore and Yellowfin Tuna, but it appears this haul matches the captain's books.

The vessel has a total of around 80 tonnes of fish on board, and the crew's documentation appears to all be in order.