Fiji

Fiji and Samoa had both won their opening Pacific Nations Cup matches last weekend, against Tonga and USA respectively, and it was a typical encounter between two Pacific Island nations, each hungry for a morale-boosting victory as the countdown to RWC 2015 continues.

Michael Stanley kicked Samoa into an early lead and after their captain Alesana Tuilagi had lost the ball forward on the line, the Flying Fijians came storming back with two tries in quick succession, both through second-row Leone Nakarawa to lead 12-3.

The USA Eagles bounced back from a 21-16 defeat by another of Pool B rivals in Samoa last weekend to record a first win over the Brave Blossoms since their meeting at Rugby World Cup 2003 in Australia.

The hosts started brightly, keeping hold of the ball for the majority of the first 20 minutes at Bonney Field, Mike Petri dictating the play with quick ball from the breakdown and causing a frustrated Japanese outfit to concede a number of penalties.

The Brumbies player, who is clear to return from suspension for the Wallabies against the All Blacks in Sydney on 9 August, is allowed to represent Australia at the Rio Olympics in August under the new contract, should they qualify.

Speight has a background playing sevens in his native Fiji and is looking forward to playing the abbreviated form of the game again.

PNG took a 1-0 lead after the 8th minute of play when Patrick Aisa powered a kick into the nets.

PNG held on to the lead going into half time.

Fiji came out stronger in the second half and dominated possession early on in the game.

This resulted in the equalizer in the 53rd minute through Tony Tuivuna.

The game looked to be going towards a draw with three minutes extra time given.

Following an impressive showing from their karetekas yesterday, they were able to keep the momentum going with a commanding display that cements their fourth place spot on the overall medals table.

Joji Veremalua claimed the men’s under 75 kilograms individual kumite honours with victory over Honoiti Lien of Tahiti, while Tumu Lango continued Vanuatu’s recent medal rush with bronze.

New Caledonia’s Iwe Rene Hmana was the other athlete who clinched a podium finish, taking bronze. 

Bainimarama was responding to a question in Parliament by Opposition Leader Ro Teimumu Kepa who asked whether the Fijian Government would consider a referendum given the overwhelming negative reaction to the plans to change the Fiji flag.

“Thank you Madam Speaker, the simple answer is no!” said Bainimarama.

Delana who is currently in Papua New Guinea for the Pacific Games was asked of Fiji's intention to bid for the 2023 games, 20-years after the last one held in Suva.

Delana said there was no decision on the matter yet.

“The Pacific Games Council committee has not said anything on that yet,” he said.

“We are ready to host. The next Pacific Games is Tonga, after that the PGC will decide on 2023.”

Delana said there was a lot to learn from the host nation as they had proven everybody wrong by having world-class facilities done in time for the games.

According to the national federation, they do not want their athletes to worry about raising money but concentrate on performance only.

Each athlete was levied $1650 and sports such as touch rugby did not make the cut while volleyball was rescued in the last minute.

Athletics Fiji development officer Joseph Rodan Junior explained was hey did it.

“In the era or amateurism that most minor sports fall under, the biggest challenge for any federation is financial support.

In his opening address, Mele emphasized the important linkage between agriculture and tourism.

“The two productive sectors agriculture and tourism seem to offer the best opportunities for inclusive economic growth in the region and therefore the promotion of the linkages between the two can contribute to creating improved economic opportunities, build resilience in rural communities and enhance sustainable development in both sectors”, Renato Mele said.

Finance Permanent Secretary Filimone Waqabaca says talks have been held with various international financial institutions to work out the best solution.

“The payment next year will be in full, it will probably be a rollover depending on the arrangement that we will agree on now, so it will be a, we will have to roll over or do another float in order to repay that, but part of it will probably be taken from our funds that we have been keeping aside to help in the funding aspect of it as well.”