Tonga uproot Orchids to stake claim for future

TONGA women have claimed just the second Test match win in their history, putting Papua New Guinea to the sword with a 42-6 beating in Port Moresby. After Cook Islands wrapped up the Pacific Bowl last week, Tonga had their finest hour on Saturday...

NRL investigating Katoa concussion management

The NRL will look into Tonga's handling of Eliesa Katoa's head knocks, after the Melbourne star suffered seizure activity and brain bleeding following three knocks in the space of 90 minutes. Katoa was on Monday recovering in an Auckland hospital...

Pacific Labour Mobility annual meeting in Honiara

HONIARA – Labour mobility stakeholders from across the Pacific and beyond will gather in Honiara from 3-6 November 2025 for the Pacific Labour Mobility Annual Meeting (PLMAM) 2025, hosted under the theme “Sustainable Reintegration Begins with Fair...

Footy star undergoes emergency BRAIN surgery after suffering multiple head knocks during Tonga's defeat by New Zealand - as NRL launches investigation

The NRL will look into Tonga's handling of Eliesa Katoa's head knocks, after the Melbourne star underwent emergency brain surgery after suffering seizures and brain bleeding following three separate knocks in Auckland. Katoa was on Monday...

Rugby league star Eli Katoa has surgery after having a seizure during New Zealand-Tonga match

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Eli Katoa, one of the top players in rugby league, underwent surgery on Sunday after having a seizure following repeated blows to the head during Tonga's match against New Zealand in the Pacific Championships. Katoa's...

Tonga's Eliesa Katoa 'being monitored' after concussion hospitalisation

Eliesa Katoa Photo: Joshua Devenie / Photosport Tonga Rugby League president Lord Fakafanua says forward 'Eliesa Katoa is being monitored at Auckland Hospital. Katoa suffered two head knocks during the Tonga vs Kiwis Pacific Cup game at Eden Park...

‘Indefensible’: NRL launches investigation after Tonga star suffers bleed on brain

The NRL has launched an investigation into whether concussion protocol was correctly followed in the incidents that led to Tonga star Eli Katoa suffering a bleed on the brain and undergoing emergency surgery. Katoa is in a stable condition in...

Tonga's Katoa 'being monitored' after concussion hospitalisation

Eliesa Katoa (c) takes part in the Tongan Sipi Tau. Photo: Photosport Tonga Rugby League president Lord Fakafanua says forward 'Eliesa Katoa is being monitored at Auckland Hospital. Katoa suffered two head knocks during the Tonga vs Kiwis Pacific...

The Tongan Constitution and elections - a work in progress

On the 150th anniversary of the Tonga Constitution, political scientist, Dr Malakai Koloamatangi, writes that Tonga’s electoral system and constitutional arrangement might need attention in the future. He asks if a decision was made to further...

Borderers Roy Laidlaw, Rob Moffat and Richie Dixon among 13 new additions to Scottish Rugby’s hall of fame

Three Borderers are among 13 new additions to Scottish Rugby’s hall of fame. Jedburgh’s Roy Laidlaw, Melrose’s Rob Moffat and Chirnside’s Richie Dixon were inducted into the hall at a ceremony at Edinburgh’s Virgin Hotel last Thursday, along with...

Pacific news in brief for 3 November

Photo: 123rf.com American Samoa The Department of Health says the total number of dengue cases in the territory have passed 300. But it said most cases have recovered. It has also noted an increase in community transmission of respiratory...

#LocalsInTheNFL Week 9 Recap: Top Performances And Weekly Roundup

SALT LAKE CITY – The ninth week of the 2025 NFL season is just about in the books with only Monday Night Football remaining. Players with local ties made their mark all over the league in week 9. Every local NFL player who recorded a stat, with...

What are the main issues for Tonga's election?

With just three weeks to go before Tongans head to the polls, the debate over election issues is heating up. Under the spotlight are the role of the palace in the country's democratic process and calls for voting rights for overseas-based Tongans....

Patriots add ‘winning ugly' to their repertoire and other leftover thoughts

When the Patriots hosted the Steelers in Week 3, they lost ugly. When the Patriots hosted the Falcons in Week 9, they won ugly. The latter scenario is, quite obviously, a far better result. And though Sunday's win was sloppy at some times and...

NRL to probe handling of Katoa's head knocks after 'seizure activity'

The NRL and the Rugby League Players' Association will look into Tonga's handling of Eli Katoa's head knocks, after the Melbourne star suffered seizures and brain bleeding following three separate knocks in Auckland. Katoa was allowed to play in...

Pacific islands at risk of becoming 'narco-states' – crime advisor

Pacific Island nations are at risk of becoming "narco-states", the chair of New Zealand's Ministerial Advisory Group on transnational and serious organised crime says. Steve Symon told RNZ that drugs pass through the Pacific region to reach...

Locals in the NFL: Bills got best of Chiefs, and 2 former Utes were at the center of it

AROUND THE SHIELD — With plenty of eyes on the star quarterbacks in Sunday's Week 9 contest between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills, it was a pair of former Utah players who stole the show — and possibly the win — for the Bills. Cole...

Predicted team lists for Pacific Cup final between Kiwis and Samoa

New Zealand will try to regain their crown when they take on Samoa in a blockbuster conclusion to the Pacific Championships. After romping their way to the Pacific Cup two years ago under Michael Maguire, the Kiwis were out of sorts last year as...

Pacific islands at risk of becoming 'narco-states', crime advisor warns

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Pacific Island nations are at risk of becoming "narco-states", the chair of New Zealand's Ministerial Advisory Group on transnational and serious organized- crime says. Steve Symon told Pacific Waves that drugs pass...

Experts: Multiple factors behind tidal surges after Tonga eruption

Experts say multiple factors likely caused tidal surges along Japan’s coast after the massive undersea volcanic eruption in Tonga on 15 January. The Japan Meteorological Agency released a report of an expert panel on the surge mechanism on...