Manu Samoa and Flying Fijians Gear Up for Key Matches

The rugby scene in the Pacific is heating up as key teams prepare for major matches. The Manu Samoa rugby team will face Scotland in a one-off Test match on July 15, 2023, at Eden Park in Auckland. Head coach Lemalu Tusiata Pisi, a former captain of the team, is currently working with a squad that will miss several top players due to club commitments. This match is crucial not only as a standalone event but also as part of their preparation for the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup series in August, which serves as a qualifier for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Flying Fijians Set to Make History

In a notable development, two players from the Flying Fijians have been selected for the combined First Nations and Pasifika squad to compete against the British and Irish Lions on July 18, 2023, in Melbourne. Prop Mesake Doge and lock Mesake Vocevoce will represent the first unified team of this nature. Both athletes recently participated in matches where Fiji lost to the Wallabies before bouncing back to defeat Scotland in Suva.

The combined team will be coached by Toutai Kefu, a former Wallabies player, marking a significant moment in rugby history as they face one of the sport’s most storied touring sides.

OFC Women’s Nations Cup and Other Updates

The completion of pool matches in the OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2025 has confirmed the four semi-finalists. Defending champions Papua New Guinea will take on hosts Fiji in the first semi-final scheduled for Wednesday in Suva. Later that evening, Solomon Islands will compete against Samoa. In a separate match, Tonga secured seventh place by defeating Cook Islands 1-0 in a playoff.

In another significant event, Fiji will host the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup EAP Qualifier in September. This tournament will feature teams from various Pacific nations, including Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Japan, Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, and the Philippines. Fiji’s team is grouped with Indonesia, Cook Islands, and Vanuatu, while the second group includes Papua New Guinea, Japan, Samoa, and the Philippines.

In rugby league, the Papua New Guinea Hunters faced a setback, losing 46-30 to the Central Queensland Capras on Saturday. This defeat has placed the Hunters out of playoff contention in the Hostplus Cup competition. The team needed a win to maintain their hopes for a spot in the top eight, but the Capras dominated, leading 30-8 at halftime.

As the Pacific prepares for these crucial matches and tournaments, the focus remains on the athletes who are representing their nations with pride and passion.