Samoa

The 1983 and 2007 hosts are competing against Tahiti and Guam for the right to stage the event in two years time, after Tonga pulled out because of a lack of government support.

Samoa were the first country to confirm their interest, with the Prime Minister writing to the Pacific Games Council last month to give his commitment of the government's support for the bid.

Samoa won the toss and chose to bat but may have regretted that decision as they lost their first wicket in the first over and the wickets continued to tumble throughout.

At 5 for 23 it was going to take a big recovery for Samoa to post a defendable score and unfortunately their remaining batters were not up to the task.

Vanuatu’s bowlers shared the wickets with player of the match Tony Tamata (2/6 off 5 overs), Obed Yosef (2/1 off 0.4 oers), Stephane Sandy (2/8 off 5 overs) and William Nalisa (2/10 off 4 overs) all picking up two wickets each.

Samoa’s eager attackers pushed the opposing back line to their limit before defender Sina Sataraka finally fired the ball into the back of the net from outside the penalty box in the 12th minute to put her side ahead.

The hosts earned a second goal in the 32nd minute when Madeleen Ah Ki met a corner kick at back post but the game leveled out for the remainder of the half as a tired and satisfied Samoa switched to a more defensive game.

Although their final placing won’t be confirmed until the last matches for Group B on Friday, Cook Islands secured at least a second place finish in the group – enough to qualify – after Fiji and Tonga’s 0-0 draw in the opening match of the day.

The annual Forum leaders summit is to be held in Apia next month at which point Samoa Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, will assume the chairmanship.

He said the Forum is not as effective as it could be.

RNZI reports the Samoa leader, who also chaired the Forum back in 2003, said the leaders have long wanted the organisation to be more focussed.

"We tend to deal with too many things," Tuilaepa said.

"The problem that we continually face is that we have the Secretariat that needs to strengthen as well.

The Samoa Observer reported the minister denying an outbreak in Samoa and advising the public to take no heed of the inaccurate reports from overseas.

He pointed out that both the Ministry of Health and the National Health Services were well equipped to deal with such an outbreak if it does happen.

Tuitama spoke of a system in place to deal with such cases as suspected cases are immediately tested and if positive the surveillance division is informed.

The division then conducts investigations to isolate the cause of the typhoid.

New Caledonia got their campaign underway in the manner they intend to continue, brushing aside Samoa 6-0 in the opening match of Group A’s first day of action.

There was structure and determination evident in both sides as the match kicked off and both sides enjoyed a couple of promising advances.

The early advantage was there for the taking for Samoa after Sina Sataraka was taken down right on the edge of the area and a free kick was given. Unfortunately she just lifted it over the cross bar to the disappointment of the gathered home supporters.

The Bill will contain the new amendment to increase excise tax as recommended by the Samoa Law Reform Commission.

The Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet said after extensive review which included public hearings to garner the viewpoints from stakeholders, the Commission has also recommended for the price of alcohol to be increased through excise tax. 

“However, care should also be taken so that the increase does not render it unsustainable for businesses in the alcohol industry to operate,” continued the recommendation.

Samoa Rugby Union Chief Executive Officer, Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai announced the resignation in a statement released today.

The statement said Namulauulu’s decision to step down from the role followed the presentation of a comprehensive review into Manu Samoa’s 2017 campaign.

“It is with a very heavy heart that I have decided to stand down as Head Coach of Manu Samoa,” Namulauulu said.

Last week Guam joined Samoa and French Polynesia in bidding for the right to host the games after Tonga belatedly pulled out because of a lack of government support.

SASNOC's Fepuleai Patrick Fepuleai said he welcomed the competition, and everyone has the right to do what they feel is right for their own country.

But he said Samoa has everything needed to host a successful games.