15th Pacific Games

The Samoa squad named has just one player, defender Lagmaina Akari, who has turned out at regional level before.

Coach Leti Tamasese also has no previous experience with a national team.

That will leave Akari, who was a member of the senior team which took part in the recent XV Pacific Games in Port Moresby, to shoulder much of the leadership responsibility in a squad made up of players based in Samoa, New Zealand and Australia.

The All Whites were thrown out of the competition in Papua New Guinea’s capital after a protest made by semi-final opponents Vanuatu over the eligibility of South African-born Deklan Wynne was upheld at a disciplinary hearing on July 12.

Vanuatu, who were handed a 3-0 walkover win despite succumbing to a 2-0 defeat in their last-four encounter, went on to play Fiji in the final later that same day, losing 4-3 on penalties at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium.

But the players — who lost 30-0 to Tahiti, 38-0 to Fiji, and then 46-0 to Vanuatu at the Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea — have vowed to remain on the field.

Stan Foster, the squad's Australian coach, said at the time that he was not concerned about the blow-outs and the competition was all about gaining experience for his players.

But post-match in PNG some of the players could hardly muster a word to explain the losses.

In their match against Vanuatu, they conceded goals at a rate of one every two minutes.

The All Whites were thrown out of the competition in Papua New Guinea’s capital after a protest made by semi-final opponents Vanuatu over the eligibility of South African-born Deklan Wynne was upheld at a disciplinary hearing on July 12.

Vanuatu, who were handed a 3-0 walkover win despite succumbing to a 2-0 defeat in their last-four encounter, went on to play Fiji in the final later that same day, losing 4-3 on penalties at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium.

The facilities were classed as world class and there was a rush to finish them. There were security concerns which the Papua New Guinea Government quashed by having the police and military on the streets.

In Fiji, sporting bodies were getting their best together.

According to FASANOC president Joe Rodan, the Pacific Games was almost equivalent to the Olympic Games for some sports and for some island nations as well.

This was to be my first trip to Papua New Guinea, the "Land of the Unexpected" and believe me I was a bit anxious.

Played in front of a pack PNG Power Dome, PNG surged to the lead at the second quarter after trailing the Samoans at the first quarter break 13-19.

At half time, PNG have put their nose in front 30-28.

The entertaining netball match has two more quarters to play.

Following a 2-0 semi-final win against Vanuatu on Friday (July 10), New Zealand's opponents protested the eligibility of South African-born Deklan Wynne.

The protest was upheld at a disciplinary hearing Sunday as Vanuatu were handed a 3-0 walkover, putting them through to the final against Fiji later in the day. 

Vanuatu lost 4-3 on penalties here following a goalless draw after extra-time at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium.

More updates will be coming shortly.

Samoa led in the first quarter 22-14 but PNG bounced back to take over 43-35 at half time.

PNG maintained the lead in the third quarter thanks to key players Allan Wright, Purari Muri, Gabriel Elavo and Matiineng Leahy taking their score up 59-48.

Despite height advantage, Samoa couldn’t keep up with the fast play by the home team.

This is PNG’s fifth win out of six games taking them to the top four.

PNG coach Joel Khalu was pleased with the boys’ performance and is confident PNG will make it to the medal playoffs.

In the second session of the day, medal count for the host nation continues to flow.

PNG has now won five gold medals in powerlifting in day one of competition.

In the women's 63kg Melissa Tikio (PNG) got gold, Sanimere Abariga of Fiji won silver and Delia Dabwido of Nauru settled for bronze.

And in the men's 66kg Staron Slade of Nauru spoiled the PNG party winning gold, while PNG duo Henry Kelo and Brown Bilong sharing the second and third placing.

But in the men's 74kg division, PNG had the upper hand over Nauru, collecting two medals.