

New Zealand Rugby's decision to delay a Pacific islands entry into Super Rugby Aotearoa next year was just the latest in a history of the Pasifika nations being "shafted", the head of the Pacific Rugby Players (PRP) union has said.
New Samoa coach Seilala Mapusua is crossing his fingers that talk of a Pasifika team in Super Rugby comes to fruition as he says it would enhance local player development and improve the national team's performances.
The Pacific Island Rugby Players Union has welcomed comments from World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont that it could offer funding to help a Pasifika team take part in a revamped Super Rugby competition from next year.
A bonus-point victory over Samoa ensured Ireland progress to the last eight of the Rugby World Cup.
Samoa coach Steve Jackson said he was left bewildered by some of the refereeing decisions during his side's defeat to Japan.
The Rugby World Cup hosts defeated Samoa to set up a probable elimination game against Scotland next Sunday in their final pool match.
Two penalty tries and a red card in the second half for Samoa's Ed Fidow helped Scotland resurrect their challenge in Pool A.
Samoa's Rey Lee-lo and Motu Matu'u have been cited for dangerous high tackles on Vasily Artemyev in Tuesday's 34-9 Rugby World Cup victory over Russia in Kumagaya, tournament organisers announced on Wednesday.
Samoa marked their first match at Japan 2019 with victory, but it was two high tackles in the first half by the Samoans that was the major talking point.
Samoan players will keep traditional Pacific islander tattoos under wraps with skin suits during the World Cup in Japan to avoid offending their hosts.
As the eyes of the world prepare to turn their gaze on the Rugby World Cup, the game got an early reminder of the Pacific Island discussion that pops up all too regularly. It continues to be nothing but rhetoric, Craig Dowd writes.
The Wallabies wrapped up their preparations for the Rugby World Cup in Japan with a less-than-convincing 34-15 victory over Samoa at Bankwest Stadium on Saturday night.
World Rugby has defended its decision to allow Saturday's Pacific Nations Cup match between Samoa and Tonga to go ahead in Apia, after several players took umbrage with the playing surface post-match.
The Wallabies will play a a Test against Samoa in western Sydney in September to round off their Rugby World Cup match preparations.
Faiva Tagatauli, a former Samoa under-20 international, spent four days in hospital before dying on Thursday at the age of 27.
Washington Huskies linebacker Psalm Wooching was set to be drafted this week, but instead he has just returned from a trial at Top 14 side Pau. He tells Tom Hamilton his remarkable story.
Pool A | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
R | Team | GP | PD | P |
1 | Japan | 4 | +53 | 19 |
2 | Ireland | 4 | +94 | 16 |
3 | Scotland | 4 | +64 | 11 |
4 | Samoa | 4 | -70 | 5 |
5 | Russia | 4 | -141 | 0 |
Pool B | ||||
R | Team | GP | PD | P |
1 | New Zealand | 4 | +135 | 16 |
2 | South Africa | 4 | +149 | 15 |
3 | Italy | 4 | +20 | 12 |
4 | Namibia | 4 | -141 | 2 |
5 | Canada | 4 | -163 | 2 |
Pool C | ||||
R | Team | GP | PD | P |
1 | England | 4 | +99 | 17 |
2 | France | 4 | +28 | 15 |
3 | Argentina | 4 | +15 | 11 |
4 | Tonga | 4 | -38 | 6 |
5 | United States of America | 4 | -104 | 0 |
Pool D | ||||
R | Team | GP | PD | P |
1 | Wales | 4 | +67 | 19 |
2 | Australia | 4 | +68 | 16 |
3 | Fiji | 4 | +2 | 7 |
4 | Georgia | 4 | -57 | 5 |
5 | Uruguay | 4 | -80 | 4 |