A round-up of sports news from around the region, including Auckland City FC on song to defend the OFC Men's Champions League title.
Auckland City FC's Dylan Manickum scores the opening goal. OFC Men's Champions League 2025, Auckland City FC v Tiga Sport, Lawson Tama Stadium, Honiara, Wednesday 2 April 2025. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.phototek.nz Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.nz
Football
Defending champions Auckland City FC have booked a semifinal spot at the OFC Men's Champions League in Honiara after a 2-nil win over AS Tiga Sport.
They have won both their Group A matches so far, following an earlier win against Tahiti's AS Pirae last Saturday.
Meanwhile, AS Pirae won their second game, pipping Fiji's Rewa FC 1-0, to keep their hopes of securing a semifinal spot alive.
The result means Rewa FC will miss out on a semifinal spot.
AS Pirae will square off against Tiga Sport on Saturday to determine who joins Auckland City in the last four out of Group A.
In Group B three teams are in the running for the two semifinal spots.
Home team Central Coast FC scored a big 7-0 win over Cook Islands champions Tupapa Maraerenga FC on Thursday to keep their hopes alive.
Earlier in the day Ifira Black Bird of Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea's Hekari United fought to a 1-1 draw.
Matches continue over the weekend.
Rugby
Lakapi Samoa chief executive, Seumanu Douglas Ngau Chun, says they expect to announce the new Manu Samoa head coach next week.
The coach will replace Mase Mahonri Schwalger, who resigned late last year.
Seumanu said they have had a number of interesting applicants, but was not able to disclose names the because of contractual obligations.
The head coach will kick off his role with coaching Manu Samoa for the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup inter-continental series against Fiji, Tonga, Japan, USA and Canada in August.
Samoa, Japan, USA and Canada will be competing for qualification into the 2027 Rugby World Cup at the series.
League
The PNG Hunters are heading into this weekend in sixth place in the Hostplus Cup competition after one win, one loss and one postponement due to cyclone Alfred.
The Hunters face the Seagulls in Brisbane on Saturday afternoon, in round four of the competition.
They toppled the Brisbane Tigers 40-6 in Port Moresby last weekend.
Coach Paul Aiton said a number of players stood out in the victory, including debutant Lynchill Kiap, who slotted in at dummy-half.
Weightlifting
Two Olympic lifters have been elected to the presidency of their respective National Olympic Committees (NOCs) in the South Pacific.
The International Weightlifting Federation said Luisa Peters is the new NOC president for the Cook Islands, while in Samoa Jerry Wallwork is at the helm of the country's Olympic body.
Peters represented Cook Islands at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games, while Wallwork competed for Samoa at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.
Cricket
Cricket PNG has announced the appointment of Tim Nielsen as the new high-performance manager and Barramundis head coach.
Neilsen, who is a former coach of the Australian national men's cricket team, said he is honored to be appointed, and looks forward to working with PNG talented players.
Cricket PNG chairman, Michael Harrison, said they are are excited about having Nielsen to guide their progress and development, moving forward.
Nielsen coached the Australians from 2007 to 2011, and also served as head of the Cricket Australia Centre of Excellence.
Football
Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, James Marape, met with executives of the Wellington Phoenix Football Club last month to discuss a pathway development for PNG's young football talents.
The National reported Marape met with Phoenix general manager David Dome about possible partnership, which could include a football academy training programme in New Zealand.
Marape said if implemented, the partnership program would help help develop football in rugby league-mad PNG.
He said PNG's football competition and programs are doing well "but not well enough".
Jame Marape was in New Zealand on an official visit.
Wrestling
Samoan wrestler, Shane Palemia, is excited about competing at the Palau Mini Games in June.
Palemia won four gold medals at the recent Oceania Wrestling Championship in American Samoa.
The Samoa Observer reported Palemia was happy with his performance at the Oceania meet, his first international competition.
He said it was a tough competition but he's grateful to experience the shine of the international stage.
