PNG men into 9s semis after wins over Fiji, Tonga

DEFENDING Pacific Games champions Papua New Guinea head into the men’s rugby league nines semifinals at Apia Park in Samoa today following wins over Tonga and Fiji.
In rainy conditions on day one yesterday, PNG opened their title defence with a 10-0 victory over Tonga and followed it up with a 10-4 win against Fiji to maintain their perfect record.
According to the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League, today’s semifinals will see PNG face Tonga and Samoa take on Fiji.
In the women’s event, PNG went down to Fiji 8-16 before regrouping to beat tournament minnows Niue.
History was made yesterday with the first women’s rugby league nines matches taking place at the Pacific Games, after the sport was added to the programme last June.
Six teams took part in two groups of three, with Fiji and Papua New Guinea progressing to the semifinals from Group B with Niue in third place. Group A (women’s) saw hosts Samoa and Cook Islands go through, with Solomon Islands bottom.
Tomorrow’s semifinals will see the Cook Islands face PNG, while Fiji face Samoa.
Niue take on the Solomon Islands in the fifth-place play-off.