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Mate Ma’a Tonga overpowers Samoa in Pacific test

By
Kaniva Staff
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[AAP] Tonga’s case for a rugby league test against Australia is gaining strength, pushing their case with a 38-22 defeat of Samoa in Sydney.

Fresh off their semi-final appearance at last year’s World Cup, the Mate Ma’a ran in six first-half tries before holding off a late comeback in front of 17,802 fans on Saturday night at Campbelltown Stadium.

Jason Taumalolo and Will Hopoate starred, as the Tongans’ combined 1501 games of NRL experience was brought to the fore.

The performance comes as an end-of-year test against the Kangaroos remains a possibility, a match that might create more of a build-up than any other international in years.

“I’d love to see this team play Australia at the end of the year,” rugby league immortal Andrew Johns said on the Nine Network’s commentary.

“On what I’m seeing tonight, definitely (they’d challenge the Kangaroos), without a shadow of a doubt.”

After Samoa opened the scoring through James Gavet in the second minute, Tonga ran in 36-straight points and controlled 70 per cent of possession in the 40 minutes that followed.

Hopoate finished with one try and had a hand in three others to go with his nine tackle busts, while the barnstorming Taumalolo had a hand in two tries and totalled 164 metres.

Andrew Fifita – who opted to represent Tonga ahead of playing in this year’s State of Origin series – was also powerful early with four tackle busts and five offloads, as was second-rower Sio Siua Taukeiaho who has opted for the Pacific nation over the Kiwis.

Samoa mounted a late fightback in the second half through tries to Tim Lafai, Tyrone May and Jorge Taufua, but it was too little too late after Tonga’s opening 40 minutes.

Tonga have never played Australia in a test, however the cause has been championed this week by Taumalolo.

The Pacific nation shocked New Zealand at the World Cup, and went within a last- minute knock-on of beating England in the semi-finals.

Photos show men detained by residents in early morning incident in Vava‘u

By
Kalino Latu
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Dramatic photos posted on social media appear to show two men allegedly arrested by residents in Vava’u.

The photos appear to show incidents at about 2am today during which two men were detained by residents of Neiafu and Ta’anea.

The incident occurred after residents were warned about a number of break-ins in the area.

Neiafu Town Officer Vava Lapota told Kaniva News he was aware of the incidents and the photos of the two men being shared on Facebook.

One of the pictures posted on-line showed a shirtless man lying on his stomach in the grass with his face supported by one of his hands. He looked distressed.

The second photo showed another shirtless man who has a tattoo on his body having his hands tied with rope while some people are holding his face up.

Lapota said he talked to the residents after the arrests and it appeared they thought the duo had been acting suspiciously.

He said he was aware Police had been called to the scene and took the two suspects into custody.

Lapota said no charges had been laid against the men.

He alleged the residents beat the two men.

Earlier this week Lapota told Kaniva News there had been reports of men with their faces covered entering homes in Neiafu.

He said intruders picked on homes where they thought the occupants were either widows or women whose husbands were overseas under New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employer and Australia’s Seasonal Worker programmes.

Lapota said he alerted the locals about the incidents and the reaction from the community showed the people were well aware of the incidents.

The Town Officer said he patrolled part of Neiafu at night time and in one case met some youths roaming around in the towns. When he questioned them they told him they were patrolling to make sure the community was safe from the intruders.

He said he could hear gunshots during the night and when he went to check he was told they had been fired by locals to warn potential intruders.

Lapota said he warned the locals to look out and report any suspicious behaviour and vehicles. A number of  complaints had been lodged with Police.

Man dies in suspicious circumstances in Vava’u

By
Kaniva Staff
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A man from Matamaka has died in suspicious circumstances.

The incident happened yesterday Friday 22.

It is understood Police have confiscated a gun following the incident.

It is also understood Police are not looking for anyone else in connection to the incident.

Neiafu Town Officer Vava Lapota told Kaniva News an inquest will be held to look into the causes and circumstances around the man’s death.

Tonga defeats Fiji 27-19 in Lautoka

By
Kaniva Staff
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[REUTERS] Tonga scrumhalf Sonatane Takulua slotted a penalty and replacement Dan Faleafa scored a try as Tonga exploited a yellow card to Fiji centre Vereniki Goneva to beat the Pacific Cup Nations champions 27-19 in Lautoka on Saturday.

Goneva, who had earlier scored a try for the Fijians in a pulsating second half after the game had been locked at 7-7 at halftime, was sinbinned for a deliberate knockdown while attempting an intercept with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Takulua’s penalty, his second within the space of three minutes, gave the Tongans a 20-19 lead they extended when Faleafa crossed two minutes later.

Tonga had led 14-7 shortly after halftime when lock Steve Mafi crossed but the Fijians struck back through Goneva and lock Viliame Mata to take a 19-14 lead into the final quarter.

Tonga hooker Paula Ngauamo and Fiji scrumhalf Frank Lomani had scored tries in the first half to leave the match locked at halftime.

Fiji had already wrapped up the shortened Pacific Nations Cup with victories over Samoa and Georgia, but not played Tonga.

Samoa were not involved for this weekend’s international matches due to their World Cup qualifying playoff against Germany next Saturday in Apia.

The second match of the inter-continental playoff is in Germany on July 14 with the winner qualifying directly for the World Cup in Japan and completing Pool A with the hosts, Ireland, Russia and Scotland.

The loser goes into a four-team repechage tournament in November to determine the final qualifier. (Reporting by Greg Stutchbury in Wellington; Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)

Kingdom upbeat on tourism potential despite tiny market share

By
Philip Cass
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Despite only attracting a tiny proportion of the Pacific’s tourist trade, the kingdom is upbeat about the kingdom’s prospect.

According to a recent report from the South Pacific Tourism Organisation, Tonga only attracted 2.9% of the region’s visitors in 2017.

The SPTO report said 2.13 million tourists visited the region by air last year.

The region’s tourism industry leader, Fiji, recorded 842,884 arrivals.

However, tourism figures were actually up in Tonga, with 64,434 visitors in 2017 compared with 59,130 in 2016.

Speaking a recent tourism promotion event, Tonga’s Ministry of Tourism CEO, Sione Finau Moala-Mafi, said Tonga was on its way to becoming “the ideal holiday hotspot.”

“The Kingdom of Tonga may have been severely struck by Cyclone Gita in February, but it hasn’t dampened the spirits of its local hotel, airline and whale swimming operators,” the Minister said.

“The ‘Friendly Islands’ still has its paradise intact.”

While the number of tourists from Australia to Tonga has declined, the  number of visitors from China, Japan, Europe, the UK, Canada, the United States and New Zealand has increased.

The number of Chinese tourists grew from 1,318 in 2016 to 2,006 in 2017.

For more information

Visitors to Tonga on the Rise

Referee attacked in Vainī rugby union match

By
Kaniva Staff
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A referee was attacked during a Saturday Rugby Union football match in Vainī last week.

The incident occurred during a Tongatapu District Rugby Tournament match between Vainī and Toa Ko Ma’afu rugby team which was held at the Vainī rugby field.

An eyewitness, who asked not to be named, alleged the referee was attacked by a supporter.

One report alleged the referee, Tokomea ‘Ofahulu, was injured.

‘Ofahulu was contacted for comment.

The eyewitness claimed Vainī supporters were unhappy with how the referee controlled the game.

It appears the incident occurred after ‘Ofahulu blew the final whistle and ended the game while the Vainī team was attacking. The match ended in a draw.

The eyewitness alleged there was still time after the final whistle was blown and the timekeeper did not indicate to the referee to end the second half.

Tonga Rugby Union CEO Fe’ao Vunipola said he would request a report on the incident from the referees committee.

Fog causes flight cancellation at Fua’amotu airport

By
Kaniva Staff
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Flights have been cancelled due to fog at Fua’amotu International Airport this evening.

It forced Air New Zealand flight NZ977 and Virgin Australia flight VA60 from Tonga to Auckland to be delayed, resulting in the cancellation of their return services last night June 21.

According to Virgin Australia’s website the status of its flight VA60 from Tonga to Auckland was “rescheduled” and “delayed.”

The Air New Zealand website says the status of its flight NZ977 from Tonga to Auckland which was expected to arrive at 11.59pm was “reshceduled.”

It is now expected to depart Tonga today June 22 at 12pm.

Nāmoe Sau was at the airport to pick up her husband Rev Viliami Selupe Vea’ila who was one of the Air New Zealand’s passengers.

She told Kaniva News the flight was cancelled because of the fog.

She said the Air New Zealand passengers are expected to check in at 9.30am this morning.

Lord Tupou trying to politicise sport in Tonga says Sports Institute head

By
Philip Cass
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The director of the National Sports Institute has accused Lord Tupou of trying to politicise sport in the kingdom

‘Ikani Taliai said the president of Tonga’s leading sports body had issued what he called “a fumbling and inaccurate report” of a meeting on May 31 called by the Prime Minister to discuss the government’s relationship with TASANOC.

According to Lord Tupou the meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and acting Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon Semisi Sika, senior staff of MIA as well as nine representatives of the National Federations of Archery, Body Building, Football (Soccer), Rugby League, Netball, Swimming, Va’ a (Outrigger Canoe) , Volleyball and Weightlifting.

He claimed that Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva said the government could no longer work with the TASANOC executive board and suggested it be dissolved.

“This smacks of dictatorial and blatant, political interference with sport,” Lord Tupou said.

“It appears clear to us that the main reason for calling the meeting and expressing your displeasure was because of the legal action by Pacific Games Council (PGC) and TASANOC against Government for unilaterally pulling out of the agreement for Tonga to host the 2019 Pacific Games.

“If you and Government continue with this mission and aim to interfere and dissolve TASANOC, it may result in Tonga’ s suspension from the Olympic Movement and her membership with the lnternational Olympic Committee, the Commonwealth Games Federation and  the Pacific Games Council.”

The Pacific Games Council and TASANOC lodged a claim for millions of dollars of damages against the government last month for its late withdrawal from hosting the 2019 event.

Lord Tupou also denied allegations of financial impropriety by TASANOC, saying it had provided properly audited financial accounts and that overseas donations had been accounted for.

However, the director of the National Sports Institute said he vehemently denied the accuracy of Tupou’s version of what happened at the meeting.

Taliai said the meeting was held to provide the sport federations the chance to discuss their general concerns and the pending court case between the Government of Tonga and TASANOC and the Pacific Games Council.

“It was apparent at the meeting that there was and is a rising discontent amongst many of the membership of TASANOC with their Executive’s performance,” Taliai said.

He said government plans to reform the sports sector of Tonga were being undermined by the misinformation being disseminated.

“The historic poor governance and recent actions of the TASANOC Executive are a destabilising force in a Tonga that is desperate to return the focus of the sports sector back to where it should be – the athletes,” Taliai said.

“The inaccurate description of the purpose of the meeting is a blatant attempt to silence the voices of the sport federations who clearly declared their displeasure with the TASANOC Executive during the meeting.”

Reports say 21 kg illicit drugs seized in Ha’apai

By
Kaniva Staff
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Police in Ha’apai have seized 21 kilograms of illicit drugs, local news media reports said this week.

The details of the seizure and the drugs were still unknown.

Radio FM 87.5 broadcaster Siaosi Lavaka reported the seizure on the station’s 5pm news bulletin on Monday but did not give any further details.

Nuku’alofa Police had been contacted for comment.

The seizure came after Tonga Police seized about $2m of methamphetamine at Fua’amotu Airport last month.

A 59-year-old man was arrested after the seizure of 1.9kg of meth which has a street value of  about $2 million pa’anga.

Sione Suli appears in court in USA hammer attack

By
Kaniva Staff
-

29-year-old Sione Suli Jr of Vancouver appeared in a US county court on Tuesday last week for a potential charge of first-degree assault, stemming from his alleged attack with a hammer on a passerby.

Suli entered the Clark County Superior Court courtroom wearing a suicide-prevention smock. Judge Bernard Veljacic appointed a defense attorney to represent Suli, who appeared confused when the prosecutor asked three times to verify his name, local news media reports.

Senior Deputy Prosecutor James Smith said Suli has prior convictions for violent crimes. Smith asked for and was granted a bail of $350,000 in the case. He also noted that Suli may suffer from mental health issues.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Suli’s wife said he has bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

She said she and Suli were in their front yard Monday afternoon when Suli attacked the man, according to the affidavit.

A deputy said the victim had been struck with a hammer, and Suli threw the tool into a nearby yard.

A quick-thinking young woman jumped in action Monday afternoon to help the vicrim deputies said was attacked by a neighbor in Hazel Dell.

According to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, the attack occurred near Northwest 18th Avenue and 96th Street around 12:30 p.m.

The woman says she heard yelling outside and found a man lying in the street, bleeding heavily from his head. She says she thought he was going to die–so she and her grandmother, a war medic, jumped in to help.

“There was so much blood,” Reneasha Ahlstrand said.

Ahlstrand attempted first aid, which she says she learned in the Girl Scouts, as she waited for medics to arrive.

“I had my hand on his head, trying to stop the bleeding, and I kept screaming for the ladies to get me towels, get me water, but they were in shock, you know,” Ahlstrand said.

The sheriff’s office said the man was attacked by a neighbor who lives across the street.

The victim told deputies the suspect attacked him with a hammer. Investigators are still trying to confirm what, if anything, he was hit with.

Ahlstrand said she sat with the man until medics arrived on scene.

“I kept telling him, ‘honey, please don’t move, just please stay still’ … I thought he was going to die, I was terrified,” Ahlstrand said.

When medics arrived, they rushed the man to an area hospital, where they say he is being treated for life-threating injuries.

Ahlstrand said she prays that everything works out for the better.

“I just hope that he is okay,” Ahlstrand said. “They told me which hospital he went to and I’m probably going to call later, or go by and see if he is alright.”

Deputies said they have arrested 30-year-old Sione Suli in connection to the case.

They believe Suli may suffer from mental illness and said he is being held at the Clark County Jail, where he faces an assault charge.

The Clark County Major Crimes Unit is assisting patrol deputies with the investigation. No other details were released, including a possible motive.

 

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