Pacific nations

Rarotonga and some of the Cook Islands Pa Enua (outer islands) reported record waves and flooding that damaged homes businesses, during a week record visitor numbers had been expected.

Muri Beach Club resort manager Liana Scott said the waves were as high as during a cyclone.

King tides had been forecast to coincide with the storm, but even then the height of the waves and the distance the swell came ashore was a surprise.

Australian academics have published a report called The Future of Nationality in the Pacific.

They want want to ensure people who are forced to move because of climate change are not deprived of their citizenship.

Most research on statelessness and climate change in the Pacific has focused on whether, if a country were submerged, would statehood survive.

However, most people are likely to have left the country long before that kind of territory loss occurs.

New Zealand will host Tonga in Auckland, while Samoa meet Cook Islands and Fiji face Papua New Guinea in a Pacific Test double-header at Campbelltown Stadium on June 25.

The Tests will take place during the NRL’s stand-alone representative round, which features the women’s State of Origin in Canberra on June 24 and Game II of the men’s series between NSW and Queensland in Perth on June 26.

One epidemiologist says the "possibilities are seemingly endless".

An in-principle agreement has been struck between Moderna, the Australian government and the Victorian government, with the aim of having the facility running by 2024.

Moderna's Australian head, Michael Azrak, said he was proud the company would have an Australian manufacturing presence.

"We're ready to pitch tent in Australia," Mr Azrak said.

"The facility we're envisaging will have the capability of at least 100 million doses if needs be."

On Monday, tourism in the region received a boost with an economic-resilience grant of almost $US20,000 from the United States.

Accepting the donation, head of the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) Chris Cocker said the funds can help implement effective responses to the industry.

Cocker said the grant will also strengthen the islands' tourism connections with the US market.

Identified in the Samoan domestic championship he has made serious inroads in terms of his development going from weight training sessions with 32 coconuts bundled together to doing 140kg squats at the gym.

He is a powerful ball carrier and will get his chance in the Pacific Nations Cup. Arguably their best player is fullback Ahsee Tuala, a lethal, try scoring presence, who plays with the Northampton Saints.

The Flying Fijians faced Ireland in front of 51,000 fans in Dublin earlier this month while more than 80,000 squeezed into Twickenham at the weekend to watch Manu Samoa take on England.

But the Pacific nations did not receive a cent from gate receipts and under World Rugby rules host unions are under no obligation to share match-day revenues with visiting sides.

The Cook Islands were thrashed 76-0 by New Zealand with the Kiwi Ferns running in 14 unanswered tries - six of those to winger Honey Hireme.

The Moana also conceded 58 points in their opening match against Australia and second rower Crystal Tamarua said they knew it was going to be tough going up against the top three teams in the world in the group stage.

But she said it was still an honour to represent their nation.

The lead-in to the World Cup has been dominated by some high profile names forgoing the chance to play for the Kiwis and Kangaroos, instead choosing to represent their Pacific heritage.

Toa Samoa coach Matt Parish believes this will be the most competitive World Cup yet but said the Rugby League International Federation needs to take the lead in addressing the financial disparity between the haves and have-nots.

"They need to have some spine and make sure that every team in the tournament gets the same amount of money, then we will see a much evener contest," he said.

The 38-year-old made his name in the 13-a-side game, winning NRL titles with the Brisbane Broncos and South Sydney Rabbitohs at both ends of his career and starring for Queensland, the Kangaroos and Fiji Bati, either side of an equally impressive stint in rugby union.

The loosening of representative rules means a player with dual eligibility that misses out on selection for Australia, New Zealand or England can still play for a second tier nation at the World Cup.

Tuqiri said that has got to be good news for Pacific nations.