Tonga

When New Zealand referee Cory Mills blew his whistle for full time emotional scenes have unfolded with Tongan players and officials marking a significant milestone in their football history.

There is nothing surprising about this Tongan team’s success especially since coach Soane Mailangi insisted from the outset that his side had a clear vision and determination to create history by becoming the first ever national team from the proud Pacific nation to win a Qualifier tournament.

After both sides secured their second wins from as many matches they will next face each other in the tournament decider, while the two winless teams, American Samoa and hosts Cook Islands will be both determined to end their campaign on a high.

On the back of their impressive 3-0 win over Cook Islands the Tongans were bursting with confidence as they lined up against American Samoa to kick off the opening game on Match Day 2.

The government pulled out of their hosting agreement last year, citing financial difficulties.

The Supreme Court has issued a Summons of Writ which the government has 28 days from issuance, (May 15), to answer.

The Games Council CEO Andrew Minogue said the body was seeking damages for the losses that it suffered as a result of the unilateral decision to withdraw without consultation.

TASANOC is seeking the same.

Mr Minogue said the claim was for three parts of the damages that were being sought as far as the council was concerned.

They are among nine new posts in Commonwealth countries as part of an expansion of the UK's overseas network announced by the British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

Speaking at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London, Mr Johnson linked the announcement with the UK's planned exit from the European Union.

He said the new diplomatic posts were in regions which provided "huge potential and opportunity post-Brexit for British businesses".

Britain already has a high commission in Fiji.

Samoa beat Tonga 56-41 in the opening match in Papakura last night, before the Cook Islands edged Papua New Guinea 54-51.

The region's top ranked side, Fiji, had a first round bye after competing at the Commonwealth Games.

The Pearls failed to win a game on the Gold Coast and coach Vicki Wilson said she's expecting strong competition from their Pacific rivals.

"Well I know Samoa will be drawing on all the experienced players in New Zealand," she said

The twice weekly service is to operate Mondays and Fridays starting May 4, 2018.

This new route will save travellers time and money as the alternative flight options are via Fiji or Auckland, involving an overnight stay and taking 30 hours to complete.

The new service will take 3 hours and 15 minutes to Samoa, and the flight’s schedule will improve connections with Pago Pago and Honolulu.

Samoa has direct flights from Auckland, Brisbane, Honolulu, Nadi, Pago Pago and Sydney and now Tonga making it easier to visit.

The first two clashes have been announced with Pacific rivals Tonga and Samoa going head-to-head, as well as a match between Papua New Guinea and Lebanon.

Cronulla Sharks prop Andrew Fifita recently pleaded his allegiance to Mate Ma'a Tonga (MMT), turning his back on the State of Origin series as well as any chances to play for Australia's Kangaroos.

MMT coach Kristian Woolf says he fully supports Fifita's decision and the huge sacrifice it comes with.

In a huge boost for international rugby league and Tonga's rapid development as a challenger to the game's traditional heavyweights, Fifita has revealed a pact instigated by Taumalolo after last year's surprise World Cup finals charge convinced him to rule himself out of Australian and NSW Blues contention.

Fifita said he and Taumalolo had reaffirmed their commitment to the Mata Ma'u during a meeting with Tonga coach Kristian Woolf in North Queensland before last month's round-one clash between the Sharks and the North Queensland Cowboys.

The Samoan Quota and the Pacific Access Category resident visas allow for a number of people from five Pacific countries to be selected for New Zealand residence each year, provided they meet the necessary requirements.

Each year up to 1100 Samoan citizens, 250 Tongan and Fijian citizens and 75 Kiribati and Tuvaluan citizens can be selected by ballot to be considered, but a number of applicants who do win a place often have to forfeit it after failing to secure an acceptable job offer.

The match will take place the same weekend as State of Origin Game Two and players like Andrew Fifita will have a big decision to make in terms of who they play for that weekend.

NSW captain Boyd Cordner said he won't push Fifita into playing for the Blues this year, with the prop still being the undecided on his representative future.

Earlier Fifita's Cronulla team-mate Paul Gallen had urged him to make a decision sooner rather than later to aid NSW coach Brad Fittler's preparations for the series.

Fifita has said he could leave it until Origin week to decide.