31 Jan 2024

Sports news in brief for January 31

5:26 pm on 31 January 2024
Johnathan Silas from Tanna and  Loanne Russet of the French Russets iwill be jetting off to Qatar to participate in the World Aquatics Championship in Doha next month.

Johnathan Silas from Tanna and Loanne Russet of the French Russets iwill be jetting off to Qatar to participate in the World Aquatics Championship in Doha next month. Photo: Vanuatu Daily Post

Vanuatu will particpate in the World Aquatics Championship in Doha next month.

Johnathan Silas, 21, from Tanna, and Loanne Russet, 18, of the French Russets, will be leaving for Qatar this week to take part in the swimming.

The Vanuatu Aquatics Federation said the athletes trained at the Holiday Inn Resort swimming pool.

The world aquactics event will take place from 2-18 February.

Tonga - touch

Tonga will be competing again at the Touch Rugby World Cup this year after a 25 year absence.

The Tonga National Touch Association confirmed this on Monday.

Tonga Touch has named a training squad following two selection camps, with the final tour squad to be announced in April.

England are the host the world cup from 15-21 July.

Rugby - Moana Pasifika

Moana Pasifika players will have the chance to play against some of their own countrymen when they meet the Hurricanes in Wellington on 16 February..

The Canes will host Moana at the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport (NZCIS) in Upper Hutt, in their final pre-season hit out for the 2024 DHL Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

The Moana Pasifika franchise mainly consists of players with Samoan and Tongan heritage and the Hurricanes have a number of their Pasifika players as well.

Some New Zealand born players of Pasifika heritage in the Hurricanes squad include Isaia Walker-Leawere, Salesi Rayasi and Kini Naholo who have Fijian links plus Peter Lakai and Siale Lauaki who are of Tongan heritage.

Rugby league - dropped

The Queensland Cowboys have dropped Mate Ma'a Tonga star Jason Taumalolo as captain for the 2024 National Rugby League season.

The news.com.au website reported Taumalolo and Chad Townsend have been dropped as co-captains, with coach Todd Payten announcing a new captain combination for the new season.

Taumaolo remains with the Cowboys until the end of the 2027 season.

Hawaii - surfing

The World Surf League Championship Tour could start any day now on Hawaii's North Shore as organisers wait for the right conditions to run the first heat.

The world's best men and women surfers will compete in the Lexus Pipe Pro, presented by Yeti.

It is regarded as one of the most dangerous waves on the planet.

Eyes will be on Carrissa Moore from Hawaii, who won last year's event for the women.

It will be the final championship tour event for the five-time world surf champion and Olympic gold medalist.