World Footy News

A little more of the Pacific region print media coverage of the Oceania Cup Under 16 tournaments nearing its conclusion on Sunday in Tonga. Some further offerings from the Fijian media as well as from PNG.

The professionalism displayed in particular by AFL Fiji, releasing daily press releases has made the job far easier for their ‘home’ press. This has set a standard in the region.

Recent Fijian articles include :

Thurs, Dec 16, “AFL Fiji U16 loses to Tonga, beats Presidents 18”.

And

Fri, Dec 17, “Fiji Power too strong”

From the AFL Fiji website, you can view the daily press releases that Dr Robert Wolgramm and the team at AFL Fiji have been providing.

Of note – AFL Fiji reports that after the AFL Combine on Friday morning, that … five of our Power team players have been selected to play in the 2011 South Pacific squad. They are: Richard Niulevu, Josua Naikau, Jeffrey Pauli, Wilson Kacivi, and Chris Cakobau.

AFL NZ has updated reports upto and including Day 3.

With the improvements of Day 2 in mind the Hawks hit the ground running on Day 3 game 1, against Tonga kicking a goal in the opening 30 seconds. Unfortunately the New Zealanders could not match the intensity of the big bodied Tongan players, who were inspired with home town hero Israel Folau, on the sidelines. A tight match through out finished with the Tongan team victorius with a goal in the death throws of the match.

The Presidents 18 came into the game 2 of day three with three losses. A great mix of Samoan, Tongan and Vanuatu competitors have seen the team unlucky to date. The match against the Hawks saw their fortunes change as they took to the New Zealanders with fearless tackling and superb spoiling.

And from PNG, the home of the tournament favourites, the PNG National reported on Friday, “AFL Jrs in fine form”. A brief run down of all the PNG results to date is included. Importantly, the article scored the back page, alas, beside a big photo from the cricket.

The 25-man team is accompanied by officials Walter Yangomina (coach), Tristan Tancredi (manager) and Pint Kar (trainer) who quietly departed Port Moresby for Nukualofa last Sunday via Sydney and Nadi (Fiji) the following day.

And today, the Brisbane Courier Mail has run a really positive story on Israel Folau, in Tonga, including a ripping photo of Izzie surrounded by the kitted up Tongan side. Although the "AFL's $6 million man" tag might be debatable.