Samoa

A new research project by Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland researchers and Pacific partners aims to investigate mental health challenges in Samoa, Tuvalu, and potentially Tonga as these countries navigate the Covid-19 pandemic and the climate crisis.

Samoa won the region's only gold, through weightlifter Don Opolege and the nation's lifters also won three silver medals, and there was also Samoan silver in heavyweight boxing.

Fiji won four medals, two of them in the rugby sevens, but there was some disappointment that neither team could win their respective finals.

Weightlifting brought the only medals for Papua New Guinea and Nauru, Vanuatu gained a bronze from beach volleyball, and one of the stories of the games was when Niue gained its first-ever medal with a boxing bronze.

After more than two years of the Covid-19 pandemic and border closures, the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha'apai volcano eruption and tsunami, this trip was going to be special.

He was taking a big group of 15, including his mother, son, his two sisters and their children.

“It’s Christmas, and it’s a time for family – we’re all just looking forward to being back home together,” he said.

“Mum is really looking forward to seeing her sister who is old now, so we just want to spend as much time with her as we can.

In the men's, Fiji is in pool A with hosts South Africa, France and Canada.

Samoa is in pool B, with Ireland, Uruguay and Japan.

On the women's side, Fiji will play New Zealand, Great Britain and Brazil in pool play.

The tournament - leg three of 10 tournaments - consists of 16 men's and 12 women's teams.

First up, Samoa take on New Caledonia, followed by the top-ranked side in the competition, Papua New Guinea, playing Tonga.

On Sunday, hosts Fiji play the Cook Islands, and finally Solomon Islands play Tahiti for the final semi-final spot.

The winners of the final which takes place next weekend gain a spot in the Women's World Cup Playoff tournament in New Zealand early 2023.

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Fijiana defeated a strong Samoa side 31-24 in the final.

Samoa had an early lead, dominating the first half 16-10.

After the two sides were tied 24-all, it was Mirini’s winning try in the 82nd minute that gave them the win.

The Solomon Islands and Vanuatu will open on July 1, with Samoa and the Federated States of Micronesia a month later on August 1.

With the objective of increasing the competitiveness of the international game, World Rugby has part-funded the franchises to provide an impactful environment and pathway that will ultimately benefit Fiji, Samoa and Tonga on the biggest stage – Rugby World Cup.

The selection of 43 players for the Pacific Nations Cup from Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua is an important step in that journey, providing each union with the benefit of access to a group of players performing in an environment geared towards achieving success at international level.

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.

Six men's and 6 women's teams will participate in the Oceania Rugby Super Sevens, with Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga to be joined by an invitational Oceania side.

That competition will take place between June 24 and 26.

Two weeks later, the annual Oceania Rugby Women's 15s Championship will make a return after three years of cancellations due to the pandemic.