NEWSPAGE 26 August
2011

(Photo: Pacific Underground)

(Photo: Belfast Telegraph)

SAMOA: Samoa target more RWC upsets
Source: International Rugby Board

Samoa have long since punched above their weight on the world stage, and the 30-man squad for RWC 2011 has the talent to cause more upsets.

While the form guide may suggest South Africa and Wales are the favourites to reach the knockout stages from Pool D, Samoa will fancy their chances of repeating the upsets of 1991 and 1999, when they beat the Welsh.

Wales and South Africa will certainly not underestimate the danger of the Samoans, especially after the Islanders stunned the Wallabies in Sydney last month with their physical style and desire to succeed.

A standout performer that day was Alesana Tuilagi, one of five brothers to have played international rugby - all for Samoa bar the youngest Manu who is England’s RWC 2011 squad, who will be a threat with his size and pace.

Samoa also have strategists such as Seilala Mapusua, bound for Japan after the World Cup but until recently a key member of London Irish’s midfield. If he needs some help to plot defensive strategy, he can always turn to fellow centre, Gloucester’s Eliota Sapolu Fuimaono, who was a practising lawyer before turning professional.

Second row Daniel Leo is another with experience of England’s top flight from his time with Wasps, while Toulouse prop Census Johnston, previously with Saracens, will not concede much ground to anyone.

While Samoa have a reputation for their direct, confrontational style, wing David Lemi, at 175cm and 75kg, is one of the smaller players to feature at the tournament, but possesses speed and guile in abundance.

South Africa may prove a step too far for Samoa, their match is the Islanders’ final fixture, when quarter-final qualification could come down to bonus points in what promises to be one of the tightest pools.


Samoa squad for RWC 2011:

Forwards: Ole Avei, Maurie Faasavalu, Census Johnston, Filipo Lavea Levi, Daniel Leo, Logovi'i Mulipola, Ti'i Paulo, Anthony Perenise, Manaia Salavea, Mahonri Schwalger, George Stowers, Sakaria Taulafo, Joe Tekori, Kane Thompson, Ofisa Treviranus, Taiasina Tuifua.

Backs: Kahn Fotuali'i, David Lemi, Johhny Leota, Seilala Mapusua, Eliota Sapolu Fuimaono, Tasesa Lavea, Augustino Poluleuligaga, George Pisi, Tusi Pisi, James So’oialo, Jeremy Sua, Sailosi Tagicakibau, Alesana Tuilagi, Paul Williams.

Photo Caption: Former London Irish centre Seilala Mapusua will captain Samoa at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
 

(Photo: Simon Green / Central Queensland News)

AUSTRALIA: Pacific workers pilot scheme benefits Queensland
Source: Taimi Media Network

Queensland citrus growers are reaping the benefits of the Pacific Seasonal Worker pilot scheme, which connects Australian producers with a seasonal workforce from the Pacific Islands.

The scheme is overseen by the Australian Government, with help from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, and the Department of Immigration.

Emerald-based citrus and table grape producer, Craig Pressler, of 2PH Farms, says he has employed up to 80 Pacific workers from Tonga at any one time.

He says while individual growers must assess the benefits for themselves, he has found the scheme to very helpful in supplying the “critical mass” required in the peak season.

Most of the workers stay with his company for seven months before heading home. The company’s first group of 24 recently returned to Tonga, and prior to leaving, 2PH held an appreciation ceremony on-farm and presented the workers with a Certificate in Competency for Orchard Skills.

This year the workers helped 2PH recover from the floods and undertook a range of roles, including harvesting and pruning of fruit trees, fruit packing and vine planting.

“Prior to citrus canker, we had a lot of our own itinerant staff, but we lost a lot with canker,” Mr Pressler said.

“We’re building up our numbers again - the Pacific Island workers are the critical mass we need. We’re right in the middle of a resource boom area so we can’t find people very easily.

“The Pacific workers have a very good attitude - they’re here because they want to be here.

“They have a good work ethic, they’re happy, consistent and motivated, and come with some set goals and a focus.”

The company farms about 600 hectares of citrus and about 250ha of grapes, and during the floods earlier this year, about 90 per cent of the company’s citrus went under water.

Mr Pressler says after the floods, he tried to source workers right down the eastern seaboard, with little success. The Pacific workers have enabled his company to recover quickly and resume supply.
 

Photo Caption: Workers in Emerald as part of the Pacific Islander Seasonal Workers scheme make a good impression at 2PH Farms.

TUVALU: Tuvalu launches second MDG report
Source: United Nations Development Programme Press Release
 

Tuvalu is on track to achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on universal primary education (MDG 2), reduction in child and maternal mortality (MDGs 4 and 5), and strengthened global partnership for development by 2015 (MDG 8). However, the country has mixed results in relation to gender (MDG 3), combating HIV/AIDs and other major diseases (MDG 6) and ensuring environmental sustainability (MDG 7). This has been revealed in the 2nd National MDG assessment report for Tuvalu, launched today by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Hon. Lotoala Metia and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Assistant Resident Representative Asenaca Ravuvu.

“Although the general population in Tuvalu does not experience extreme poverty or hunger, the findings of the MDG exercise do identify other challenges such as the increasing incidence of non-communicable diseases, specifically diabetes, hypertension, obesity and nutrient deficiencies like anemia,” said Hon. Metia.

He also said that MDG report would play a major role in the review of the current national development framework Te Kakeega II.

“This ensures that the MDGs remain part of Tuvalu national development priorities. This means that domestic and externally funded efforts that support the implementation of Te Kakeega II will at the same time, support Tuvalu in its efforts to achieve the MDGs,” he said.

The UNDP Assistant Resident Representative, Ms. Asenaca Ravuvu said that UNDP and other organizations of the UN system were ready to support Tuvalu address the gaps highlighted in the report.

“UNDP is committed to supporting the Government’s efforts in achieving the Millennium Development Goals through development assistance aiming to support governance institutions and environmental conservation,” said Ms Ravuvu.

The report can be accessed from:
http://www.undp.org.fj/pdf/MDG%20Report/MDG(tuvalu)%20web.pdf
 

(Photo: Vanuatu Daily Post)

VANUATU: Minister pledges Government commitment to Epi Climate Change Project
Source: Vanuatu Daily Post

Minister responsible for Infrastructure and Public Utilities Harry Iauko pledged Government support through his Ministry for the implementation of the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) Project on the island of Epi.

Minister Iauko gave this assurance to communities on Epi while visiting the project site with UNDP and Government officials last week. The focus of the Vanuatu component of this regional project is climate proofing coastal infrastructure in the face of climate and sea level change. The project which falls under the oversight of the National Advisory Committee on Climate Change (NACCC) has been delegated to the Public Works Department under the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities for implementation on behalf of the Government.

“This is an important project that will reshape my ministry’s policies, planning and guidelines to reflect climate change, so I will ensure at my level that the Vanuatu PACC project receives the necessary support that it needs” stated the Minister. Minister Iauko further called on the community to keep the project activities on the island free of political influence and stressed the need for all to work collectively.

The island of Epi with a population of around 6000 people is a key player in the agricultural sector of Shefa province through produce such as fish, cattle, copra, kava, root crops as well as peanuts - the island is referred to as the “peanut basin” of Shefa. Epi also seats the main referral hospital of the outlying islands in the province and the island is also host to 2 secondary schools and a number of primary schools. A climate proof road network is therefore vital to ensuring farmers have access to markets, communities have access to health and education services, tourism continues to grow and the wheel of socio-economic development spins.

Adaptation interventions to be undertaken under the project include the relocation of several sections of roads and the Lamen Bay Airport, drainage works and physical road works. The Vanuatu PACC component commenced in 2009 and will end in 2013.

The visit to Epi comes on the heels of a regional PACC Project meeting hosted by Vanuatu from 8th to 12th August that gathered 14 Pacific Islands and regional institutions to review the project in each Pacific country and develop plans for the next 12 months. The visit enabled the Minister and UNDP officials to gain an understanding of the climate related issues on the island, interact with the communities and see how best the Vanuatu team can be supported to complete this important project.

Photo Caption: Minister Iauko and UNDP Officials with members of Lamen Bay community.

(Photo: 2011 Pacific Games Organising Committee)

WORLDWIDE: Teams gear up for Games challenge
Source: Oceania Football Confederation Press Release

Football fans across the Pacific are set to enjoy 49 international matches over the next two weeks as the XIV Pacific Games gets underway in Nouméa, New Caledonia, this Saturday.

The ‘Olympics’ of the Pacific region is held once every four years and this year's edition will involve 22 territories, 28 sports and around 3000 athletes - all looking to represent their nation with pride in the hugely-anticipated sporting festival.

OFC is well represented with 11 men’s teams and nine women’s teams competing in the respective football tournaments from 27 August to 10 September. Samoa have elected not to participate, instead focusing on the preliminary stage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Oceania Qualifiers which they will host in November this year.

New Zealand are not part of the Pacific Games but will no doubt watch on with interest as they prepare for the OFC Nations Cup next year. It is understood that a New Zealand scout will travel to New Caledonia for the latter stages of the competition.

On the men’s side, Group A has shaped up to be the ‘Group of Death’ with defending champions and hosts New Caledonia joining the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, American Samoa and Guam - the only non-OFC member taking part.

Predicting the top two finishers in Group B is proving just as difficult with Tahiti, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, Cook Islands and Fiji all vying for a semi-final berth.

The women’s tournament is also likely to be hotly contested and has pitched American Samoa, New Caledonia, Papua NewGuinea, Solomon Islands and Tahiti together in Group A, and Tonga, Cook Islands, Fiji and Guam in Group B.

The group matches will be played at three venues in and around Nouméa while the semi-finals will take place at Koné and Lifou, and the final at the impressive Stade Numa Daly in Nouméa. Both tournaments kick off on Saturday with all teams looking for the best possible start.

It will be a busy beginning with two women’s and five men’s matches taking place across three venues. The Opening Ceremony for NC2011 will then be held in the evening with a number of VIP guests expected to attend, most notably French President Nicolas Sarkozy.