On day five at the Netball youth World Cup South Africa beat Fiji 86-35. Photo: MARK RODRIGUEZ
Netball
The Cook Islands has made the quarterfinals of the Netball youth World Cup in Gibraltar and will play South Africa on Thursday evening, local time.
The other quarterfinalists are New Zealand, Scotland, Australia, Malawi, England and Jamaica.
In day five results, Samoa beat Northern Ireland 69-29, and South Africa beat Fiji 86-35.
Samoa, Fiji and Tonga will play off for 9th through 16th placings.
Cricket
Former New Zealand cricket star and new Samoa Cricket recruit, Ross Taylor, received his playing uniform at a special team presentation in Auckland this week.
Taylor, who has Samoan heritage through his late mother, has come out of retirement to try and help Samoa secure a Twenty20 World Cup spot.
Samoa will meet Oman and Papua New Guinea in pool matches at the qualifier next month.
Three teams will secure T20 world cup spots from the qualifier.
Rugby
Sydney Roosters player Mark Nawaqanitawase is reportedly leaving the club at the end of the 2026 NRL season to return to rugby union.
Australian media reports said the Fijian heritage player, who joined the Roosters at the end of the 2024 season after stints with the Wallabies, is keen to play at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Sevens
The Australian, England and New Zealand women's sevens squad are competing at the Paradise 7s tournament in Fiji, ahead of the next World Sevens Series.
FBC News reported the Black Ferns Sevens have two teams at the event, where they are using the tournament as an oportunity to test new players for the world series.
England coach Simon Hunt said they have found the challenge from opponents tough, especially the different style of play.
Australian head coach Tim Walsh said the trip has been an invaluable opportunity for the team's development.
Rugby
The selection process for the host country of the men's Rugby World Cup 2035 will kick off in October.
The location is set to be announced in November 2027.
The process was launched at the 17th World Rugby General Assembly in London.
World Rugby said confirming the host eight years in advance aligns with their strategic approach to optimising the value, reach and impact of Rugby World Cup.
