Vanuatu

And Weatherwatch.co.nz says that although it's not completely clear if it will affect the country, previous cyclones have been deadly because of dangerous rips and large waves.

The tropical cyclone is due to form around Fiji or Tonga and, according to computer modellings, will intensify as it drifts west, possibly becoming "severe".

It's also claiming that it will "be a much bigger storm than [Cyclone] Fehi", which struck the Pacific last week.

After successfully hosting the 2017 Pacific Mini Games, Pacific Games Council CEO Andrew Minogue says Vanuatu has already expressed their interest in hosting the games.

"It appears that they're looking to use these mini games as a possible springboard to host the main ones," he says. "That's what the Minister said at the closing ceremony, they'd like to bid for the 2027 [games] in 10 years time."

The New Zealand territory, which has a local population of just 1500, only sent one athlete to the 2015 Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea and had initially planned to send nobody to the Mini Games in Vanuatu.

But Ilai Elekana Manu, who has won eight Oceania medals representing Tokelau in wrestling, said he had a chance encounter with Pacific Games Council CEO Andrew Minogue at an ONOC (Oceania National Olympic Committees) meeting earlier this year, which motivated him to try and put together a team.

In the heart of Korman complex, flags were waving in the crowd as para-athletes took their spot on the starting line, ready to take off at the sound of the starting gun.

Sylvain Bova, a vision impaired runner from New Caledonia, was positioned in lane one and took his mark with his guide, Germain Haewegene, by his side as they prepared to sprint for gold in the Men’s 100m ambulant final.

Twelve seconds and thirteen milliseconds later, they crossed the finish line in perfect sync with each matching the other’s stride.

The official declaration was made on December 10, 2017 in Port Vila, during the Pacific Mini Games, where PGC usually convened on Sunday, which was the Athletes’ rest day of the Games.

PGC Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Minogue said that the PGC general assembly has formally declared that Samoa will be the next host of the Pacific Games in 2019, after the decision made by the PGC executive board in September 2017.

“The 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa will take place from July 6 to 20, and there will be 26 Sports disciplines all together, for nations to compete in”.

Samoa lead 14‑0 at half‑time, but the one thing opponents know, is that Fiji is never to be underestimated and the second half was a physical and feisty affair.

When Fiji scored, seasoned pundits were nodding in expectation that the flood gates would now open, but to Samoa’s credit they have faced this foe before.

Samoa defended well and gave Fiji no space to do their trademark break and run and as the clock ran down it became more obvious that Samoa had what it was going to take to hold on to this Pacific Games title.

Vanuatu secured its sixth gold medal of the Games on Saturday morning in the final of the tennis Men’s teams event surpassing the previous highest total for the nation of five gold.

President of the Vanuatu Tennis Federation, CyrilleMainguy could not have been prouder of the performance on court this morning.

“We made history – it’s the first gold medal for Tennis in any Pacific Games,” he said.

“We have previously won silver in 2009 Mini Games, 2011, 2015 and this year at home we have got gold out of the nine countries that are present.”

The showpiece of the night was a tough match between front-runners Vanuatu and Fiji that ended 0-0.

Vanuatu had been looking to build on their 5-0 opening win over Solomon Islands, while Fiji had recorded the same score over Tonga in their opener.

However this match proved a far closer contest. Both teams were very strong and had several chances.

The crowd cheered wildly with Fiji, as well as the home side, drawing strong support.

In the earlier match, Tonga defeated Solomon Islands 3-1 to the delight of Tonga’s excitable fans.

The Fijians thrashed Tuvalu 8-0 in Saturday's opening round, while Solomon Islands racked up the same scoreline against Tonga.

Fiji coach Christophe Gamel said despite the lopsided scoreline they made a number of big mistakes, which they couldn't afford to repeat against the Bonitos.

"We know their values, they are technical players. Let's see, it will be interesting for the youth also and for me to compete against this team, it's always interesting," Gamel said.

Solomon Islands coach Felipe Vega-Arango is taking more of a long term approach.

“For the past six years we have been preparing for this night and the next 12 days of the games,” Simeon Seule addressed the crowds and leaders during the opening ceremony yesterday.

“We have had challenges that everyone acknowledges but with the people and the Vanuatu Government, firmly supporting the games, we have overcome those challenges and now stand ready to hosts the Pacific and deliver those games for the athletes, spectators and broadcast viewers to the highest standards,” he said.