(Photos: eventpolynesia.com)

(Photos: Huw Evans Agency)

SAMOA: U20 Managers Report: Samoa v USA
Source: Namulaulu Samia Leota
 
Today we completed our second game of the Junior World Championship defeating USA 20 to 6.

Samoa attacked and camped in the USA territory in the first 10 minutes and had a few opportunities to cross the line but the Americans were defending well, denying the boys in blue from putting points on the board.

USA registered the first 6 points of the match when two penalties were converted by their half back on the 14th and the 18th minute mark from our mistakes. They were leading 6 on the 30th minute mark.

Towards the end of the first half, another series of attacks by the Samoa forward saw the Americans struggling in defence and opened up a space in the defence that saw our lock Levi Asifaamatala crossing the line for our first point of the match, and this was converted by Ioane Sefo, our first five. At half time the score was 7-6 to Samoa.

Samoa increased its lead at the beginning of the second half from a penalty conversion by Ioane Sefo on the 2nd minute. Samoa playing style was opened up at this stage of the game using its speed outside the backline and this resulted in a try by fullback Alatasi Tupou on the 13th
minute. This was followed by another try by Vavae Tuilagi half way through the second half after relentless attack by our forwards which gave quick and clear balls to the backline.

There were two occasions in the second half where we crossed the line twice, but unfortunately these tries were ruled out by the touch judge as we touched the line before placing the ball down.

We camped in the Americans territory in the majority of the second half but they put up an intense defence, denying us from scoring a bonus point.

Nevertherless , a win is a win and the boys must be congratulated for the big effort today. The Americans again are much bigger in size, and they were out there to beat us, but the boys did not give up. They played with passion and pride for our country. Samoa should be proud of their
achievements so far in this World Championship.

Back at the hotel at our evening prayer after the game, no one player was seemed to be satisfied with what had been done so far, and there was a complete absence of any spirit of celebration, like after the Scotland game. It is obvious that the boys know that we have a tougher opponent to contend with in the next few days and that is when we meet South Africa in
our last pool game.

I thank our Head of State and Samoa for your support through faxes and prayers. We send our best regards and alofaaga to all the people of Samoa, the SRU and its family of sponsors as well as all our families.

Good night from Wales.

Photo Caption: Lee Jones is wrapped up by Misioka Timoteo (Number 8); Steven Burton tries to
escape the diving tackle of Levi Asifa'amatala. Wrexham.....Misioka Timoteo charges into winger Lee Jones.
 

(Photos: ABC)

AUSTRALIA: Australia to work with Pacific on land policy reform
Source: Australian High Commission
 
The Australian Government is to provide A$54 million over four years for a Pacific Land Program to support governments in the region that wish to strengthen or improve their land systems.

“This funding, which was announced in the recent Australian budget, will provide practical assistance to governments dealing with complex issues relating to land policy reform,” said Australia’s Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan.

Mr McMullan said Australian assistance will be guided by two fundamental principles: first, Australia will only support reforms that recognise the continuing importance of customary tenure; and, second, land policy reform must be driven by Pacific island governments and communities, not by donors.

Mr McMullan is in Vanuatu for a two-day Pacific land policy conference. The Making Land Work conference will be attended by government ministers, officials, landowners and other groups from around the Pacific region with a stake or interest in land issues.

“Pacific governments are under pressure to reconcile new and competing interests relating to land ownership and land use with the customary systems that have served their people for countless generations,” he said. “These pressures include new technologies, rapid population growth and social change. Our program is designed to provide support to governments
undertaking reforms to strengthen and improve their land systems and deal with these pressures.”

The Pacific Land Program will increase the skills and knowledge of people working in land departments and non-government organisations. It will include assistance for dispute resolution and helping customary owners negotiate on a more even basis with investors and developers. The program will initially provide support to Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste. Assistance will also be provided on a regional level for education and training and to help countries respond to problems associated with growing urbanisation such as squatter settlements.

“Uncertainty over land ownership and land use constrains social and economic development and reduces the prospects of greater investment and higher living standards,” said Mr McMullan. “It can be a trigger for wider conflict, and conflict tends to exacerbate poverty.”

Mr McMullan will launch a two-volume publication Making Land Work prepared by the Australian Agency for International Development, AusAID, based on consultations with more than 80 specialists and practitioners in land and development from the region, including Australia and New Zealand.

The publication provides an overview of matters that countries are likely to face if they choose to reform their land policies and institutions. It includes case studies that look at problems and innovative practices in land tenure and administration across the Pacific.

‘This is an excellent resource for policy-makers,’ says Mr McMullan. ‘It draws lessons from international experience around the Pacific and will stimulate ideas on policy options.’

Photo Caption: Bob McMullan MP: Parliamentary Secretary for International Development
Assistance Federal Member for Fraser.
 

(Photos: Nigel Phair)

(Photos: Marc Peretic Wilson)