Tonga rugby league coach Kristian Woolf says a number of players are racing against time to be fit for the World Cup, which kicks off at the end of October.

Backrowers Patrick Kaufusi and Tony Williams are likely to miss the global showpiece after both were injured in Tonga’s 26-24 Pacific Test win over Fiji in May.

Hooker Siliva Havili came through unscathed against the Bati but has since had undergone surgery after rupturing his pectoral.

in 2015, while his former Warriors teammate Solomone Kata was also unable to add to his four test caps through injury.

Kristian Woolf remained hopeful the midfield duo would be fit to form a potent combination at the World Cup, which would help to offset the likely unavailability of Kaufusi, Williams and Jorge Taufua.

“We’ve got a few guys out, unfortunately, who are sort of walking a bit of tightrope with some injury, that I’d hope by the end of the season are back playing footy and back available obviously,” he said.

“But Konrad will certainly come into that squad, provided he’s healthy, as will guys like Solomane Kata, who was also unavailable with a hamstring injury in the May test.

“It was outstanding to have guys like Manu Vatuvei and Daniel Tupou, Will Hopoate – they were some real leaders for us and they played outstandingly as well”.

“We also got an opportunity to play some young guys like a (teenage centre from the Wests Tigers) Moses Suli, who I thought was terrific for us in that game,” Woolf reflected.

“He’s a really class player of the future and he’d be a great addition to come away in a 24-man squad, as much for his development as what he can offer us on the field”.

Tonga open their World Cup campaign against Scotland and also face Samoa and New Zealand in pool play.

Conor McGregor should rely on the skills that have made him a two-weight UFC champ and not try to out-box unbeaten American Floyd Mayweather says a former sparring partner.

The pair square off in Las Vegas on Sunday.

Conor’s former sparring partner Steve Collins Junior said the Irish mixed martial arts fighter turned up at the Dublin gym run by Collins Jnr’s uncle Paschal about two years ago looking to hone his boxing skills.

“I arrived early as my uncle told me to come in to do some pad work before the place opened and Conor came up. He must have cleared it with my uncle as he had the place to himself, he had the gym closed off,” Collins Jnr said.

“He started off sparring a guy for a round or two but the guy couldn’t keep up with Conor’s pace, so my uncle asked me if I’d spar him. I said fine, and got in there for five, six, seven rounds,” he explained.

“Conor didn’t care about the size difference between us, he just kept going. He barely took a break in between rounds, he’d just take a sip of water or whatever.”

The Collins family are as close to boxing royalty as it gets in Ireland, with Steve Collins Senior a former WBO middleweight and super-middleweight world champ, and uncle Paschal a renowned boxing coach.

Collins Jnr, who has 10 wins, one loss and one draw in his 12 professional fights, was impressed by the offensive skills of the 29-year-old McGregor, who has never fought as a pro boxer.

“As an MMA fighter his boxing skills were brilliant – great stance, great balance, great shot selection and timing, he judged distance very well, superior to most MMA fighters.”

However, the boxer did find chinks in the armour of the UFC lightweight champion.

“His only weakness really was his defence. I didn’t find it to hard to land leather on him, and if you’ve got a guy like Floyd, he may find it even easier. If I had to pick one thing, it was that his defence wasn’t brilliant,” he said.

The boxing world has scoffed at the notion that McGregor can bring himself up to Floyd’s level in the space of a few weeks, but Collins says he may not have to.

“I think he’ll have to rely on what he already knows. There is so much to learn in boxing, even Mayweather is still learning, so Conor has to work with what he has.

“It takes years to be a complete fighter, and it will all be new to him on the day,” he said.

Mayweather, who has not fought in nearly two years, needs a win to surpass Rocky Marciano’s record and reach 50-0 for his career, while McGregor, who is making his professional boxing debut, is 21-3 in mixed martial arts.

Police have found the body of a 36-year-old fisherman who had been missing near Lomolomo Beach since Sunday morning.

Police say the body was found near Savala Island and a post mortem will be conducted soon.

The fisherman had accompanied two other men and were using nets to fish off Lomolomo Beach in Lautoka on Sunday morning.

The two had noticed the 36-year-old struggling and calling out for help between 9 to 9.30am.

The ATH Group achieved a good result for the 2016 – 2017 financial year.

ATH held its 19th Annual General Meeting yesterday morning in Suva.

The Group consolidated sales revenue growth of 10 point 7 percent from 356 million to 394 million dollars.

A 14 point 3 percent improvement in the groups gross profit from 224 million dollars to 256 million dollars.

The group is also expanding investments in the region.

The Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum yesterday conducted consultations on Job Evaluation Exercise and the Civil Service Reforms for teachers of the Central and Eastern division at Vunimono Community Hall, Nausori.

He said the objective of the reforms is to have a high performing civil service, implementing government priorities, responsive to and serving the public

Teachers have been informed that their contracts are up to five years which are legal documents.

Any teacher’s contract should not expire in the middle of the school term as this will cause disruption.

He says civil servants will also have an opportunity to get a pay rise again next year which will be on performance based.

He also announced that from the 1st of September this year the meal allowances will be increased from $9 to $20 dollars

The Attorney-General says they have refined the Open Merit Recruitment System.

Issues discussed include teacher’s contracts, salary bands, positions and level of responsibility and changes in overtime and allowances.

Teachers are pleased after this consultations as they had a lot of misconceptions which were all cleared.

The Fiji Schoolboys rugby side will train at their respective schools in the first two weeks of the new school term.

Most of the players will be given their training programs which they can follow at their respective schools.

But the Fiji Secondary School Rugby Union will get the players together for weekend camps to monitor their progress.

There is just one change to the All Blacks starting line-up to take on Australia in the return Bledisloe Cup test in Dunedin on Saturday.

Dane Coles starts at hooker with Codie Taylor dropping to the bench.

It ends a frustrating five months for Coles, who has battled injuries and concussion.

Coles missed last weekend’s 54-34 victory over the Wallabies in Sydney as a precaution after picking up another head knock in a troubled season for the Hurricanes captain.

The 30-year-old last played a test nine months ago and since mid-March has played just 90 minutes in the Super Rugby playoffs for the Hurricanes due to lingering concussion symptoms.

It will be Coles’ 50th test.

There are two changes in the reserves with prop Kane Hames on the bench replacing Wyatt Crockett, while Scott Barrett is the reserve lock, in for Luke Romano, who has a minor foot niggle.

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen said the team had a “great week’s preparation” in Dunedin.

“Whilst we were very happy with the way we played for periods of the game in the first test, there were also moments where we weren’t so crash hot. However, this is a new week and we’re well aware that we’ll have to be better in all areas of our game, and we’ve concentrated on those areas we want to improve.

“Once again, a good start will be important.”

Hansen said the team was looking forward to playing at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

“Playing under the roof in Dunedin means we should see a high-speed game, which should suit both teams and create an entertaining match that fans won’t want to miss.”

Lock Sam Whitelock will play his 90th test this weekend. The 28-year-old is the most capped All Blacks lock of all time.

The All Blacks have played Australia 159 times with 110 wins to the All Blacks, 42 to the Wallabies and seven draws.

Match day 23 (test caps in brackets):

1. Joe Moody (29)

2. Dane Coles (49)

3. Owen Franks (95)

4. Brodie Retallick (65)

5. Samuel Whitelock (89)

6. Liam Squire (10)

7. Sam Cane (45)

8. Kieran Read (101) – Captain

9. Aaron Smith (63)

10. Beauden Barrett (54)

11. Rieko Ioane (6)

12. Sonny Bill Williams (37)

13. Ryan Crotty (28)

14. Ben Smith (63)

15. Damian McKenzie (3)

16. Codie Taylor (20)

17. Kane Hames (1)

18. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (5)

19. Scott Barrett (8)

20. Ardie Savea (17)

21. TJ Perenara (34)

22. Lima Sopoaga (8)

23. Anton Lienert-Brown (14)

Attorney General and Minister for Economy,. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum delivered the opening remarks at the Fiji Institute of Bankers – 25th Annual General Meeting last night.

While addressing the members of the financial sector, the A-G spoke about the key features of the 2017-2018 budget, and the sectors that have contributed towards the unprecedented growth within the economy for the past eight years.

Sayed-Khaiyum adds that any Governments objective, is to be able to ensure that they have broad-based economic growth and we cannot simply depend on only two sectors contributing to economic growth.

He commended the contributions of the financial sector towards the country’s economic growth.

The commercial banks, namely Bank of the South Pacific, BRED Bank, Bank of Baroda, ANZ, Westpac Bank, HFC Bank as well as the central bank – The Reserve Bank of Fiji, were present at the meeting.

COP 23 will continue with or without President Donald Trump.

This was mentioned by the Prime Minister – Voreqe Bainimarama, at the Methodist Conference yesterday when asked about his views on the backing down of the American President on this campaign.

“We had discussions with the Australian government on climate change when someone asked bout President Trump. They said it does not matter is president Trump refuses to join, COP 23 will continue . What we aim is for big nations to agree with us. But we want him to join us in this campaign against climate change,” Prime Minister – Voreqe Bainimarama.

Bainimarama says there is still hope that President Trump will change his mind.

“We don’t want him because he is the president, we want him because he has the funding to give for the construction of our seawalls. We are confused about his decision but we will keep inviting him to join us in this campaign.”

The Fiji Football Association has embarked on taking coaching clinic to the rural areas.

After engaging some of the top coaches in various important courses of coaching, the Fiji FA is planning to take the same initiative to the grass root level.

Coaches will now be able to access training clinics in their respective districts.

Fiji FA Technical Director Ravinesh Kumar says coaches in the rural areas will now have top level training.

England striker Wayne Rooney has announced his retirement from international football, ending a 14-year stint in which he became the country’s top goalscorer.

Rooney earned his first cap against Australia in 2003 at the age of 17 years and 111 days to become the youngest player, at the time, to represent the national side.

He remains the country’s top striker with 53 goals to his name and he also leaves as England’s most-capped outfield player with 119 appearances.

Rooney said he had made the decision despite being told by England manager Gareth Southgate that he would be recalled to the squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers.

“It was great that Gareth Southgate called me this week to tell me he wanted me back in the England squad for the upcoming matches. I really appreciated that,” the 31-year-old said.

“However, having already thought long and hard, I told Gareth that I had now decided to retire for good from international football.

“It is a really tough decision and one I have discussed with my family, my manager at Everton and those closest to me.”

“Every time I was selected as a player or captain was a real privilege and I thank everyone who helped me. But I believe now is the time to bow out,” he added.

Rooney’s decision comes two days after he scored for Everton in their 1-1 draw at Manchester City in the Premier League and was widely praised for his performance.

It was Rooney’s second goal in as many games for the club he rejoined last month after spending 13 years with Manchester United and prompted speculation over an England recall.

But the Liverpudlian has decided to concentrate all his efforts on his club career.

“Leaving Manchester United was a tough call but I know I made the right decision in coming home to Everton. Now I want to focus all my energies on helping them be successful,” he said.

The former England captain has not played for his country since a 3-0 win over Scotland at Wembley last November.

Rooney’s goal on Monday meant he became only the second player to score 200 Premier League goals behind another former En

But while he won five Premier League titles and a Champions League, among other trophies, during his time at Old Trafford he remained without a medal for England, who have not won a major tournament since the World Cup in 1966.

“I will always remain a passionate England fan. One of my very few regrets is not to have been part of a successful England tournament side.

“One day the dream will come true and I look forward to being there as a fan – or in any capacity.”

gland striker Alan Shearer.

The President Major-General (Ret’d) Jioji Konusi Konrote yesterday received a farewell courtesy call from the outgoing EU Ambassador to Fiji, Andrew Jacobs.

During their meeting at the Borron house, President Konrote acknowledged the bilateral relations between Fiji and countries under the European Union and wished Ambassador Jacobs success in his future work.

Ambassador Jacobs said Fiji and countries under EU umbrella share a lot of history and his time spent in Fiji was memorable.

He has served four and half year term serving in the the Pacific region.

Ambassador Jacobs also paid a farewell call to Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama

Jarryd Hayne says the tipping point in his relationship with sacked Gold Coast coach Neil Henry was a media report which said the mentor didn’t support signing him.

Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum conducted consultations on Job Evaluation Exercise and the Civil Service Reforms for teachers in the western division at Sugarcane Growers Hall in Lautoka.

He said the objective of the reform is to have a high performing civil service, implementing government priorities, responsive to and serving the public.

Teachers have been informed that their contracts are up to five years which are legal documents.

Any teacher’s contract should not expire in the middle of the school term as this will cause disruption. He says civil servants will also have an opportunity to get a pay rise again next year which will be on performance based.

The AG said that there is a need to reduce the student teacher ratio and the government has been hiring more teachers on a yearly basis, however, this is not enough to meet the international bench mark standard.

He also announced that from the 1st of September this year the meal allowances will be increased from $9 to $20.

The Attorney-General says they have refined the Open Merit Recruitment System issues discussed include teacher’s contracts, salary bands, positions, and level of responsibility and changes in overtime and allowances

The Fiji Roads Authority is advising motorist in Suva that the McArthur Street will be closed from today until the 31st of October.

Major road rehabilitation works will be carried out to improve McArthur Street from today under the Suva Arterial Roads Upgrade Project- phase 1.

Fiji Roads Authority, Acting Chief Executive Officer Robert Sen says the roadworks will start at Victoria Parade and will end at Gordon Street to improve safety, by providing a smoother and less disruptive journey to the road users.

Works will include repairing the damaged concrete pavement, damaged kerb, channel, footpaths and surfacing.”

He said these works will help prolong the life of the roads by preventing them from premature deterioration.

Sen has thanked the road users for their patience and understanding as the FRA continues to improve the road network with higher quality.

All works are expected to be completed by the end of October, weather permitting.

The Vodafone National Football team is now preparing to face to Indonesia in their next international friendly match on September 2.

Two new overseas based inclusions in the squad are the Manukau boys Shravan Sharma and goalkeeper Krith Kumar.

Shravan said he really feel welcomed as all the boys are making sure that he feels part of the team.

“My experience with the Fiji team is going well as most of the boys are new to the camp but I feel really welcomed.

“The coach has got his expectations and I have to make sure that it is my expectations and I have to meet what he wants,” Sharma said.

He said the major challenge for him in Fiji is the heat factor.

“The major challenge for me here is the heat and I have to make sure that I adapt to it because our coach has already told us that Indonesia will be a lot hotter.

“The combinations are going really well and I’m really looking forward to being in the team.”

Head coach Christophe Gamel said Shravan is doing well in the team however Krith needs more improvement.

“Shravan is going well with the team but we need to see him in the competition as competition is the reality.

“Krith is doing well but he needs to improve more and I will have to discuss with my goalkeeper coach regarding him.”

Gamel is disappointed after not getting his full squad in camp but he said will continue working with whatever he got.

“I will do with what I have given this short time.

“They are young to have a background as we will face a very good team.”

The team departs for Indonesia on August 29 to play international friendly against the Indonesia National Team on September 2. They will then play Persiga, a top League team in Jakarta.

The Vodafone National Football side has been boosted with recreational items from the major sponsors as they are in camp preparing for the Indonesia tour.

Vodafone donated Fiji Football Association Ba Academy a brand new billiard table, a set of Play Station 4 including two controllers and a LCD screen.

National head coach Christophe Gamel heartily thanked Vodafone for this initiative.

“I really thank Vodafone for this gift and it is of a great benefit.

“It is not linked with results. It is really good for recreation time, good to relax our mind when under pressure,” he said.

Gamel said the recreational items are of a great benefit which will strengthen the team bonding while the boys are in camp.

He said they have to put everything in a good way.

“First is work, that is hard work, and when we have free time it’s important for the players to enjoy just to create team building.

“They can also express themselves outside of the field. This is a good link as we have to be in the modern way.

“Before there was nothing, and if you are only together doing nothing, it really gets difficult.”

Ba Academy general manager Rajendra Kant Sharma also echoed similar sentiments.

“We are trying to create a recreation center for the teams when they are in camp and they can use these facilities here at the Academy.

“We are really grateful to Vodafone and I have seen the boys enjoy and spend their time creatively at the Academy.”

Parramatta moved up to fourth in the NRL Ladder with a resounding win over Brisbane in Queensland.

Four tries for Rugby Union-bound winger Semi Radradra and the Eels’ fastest ever NRL try, scored by Kirisome Auva’a after just 11 seconds, helped the Sydney club on their way.

The Eels raced in to a 24-0 lead after 20 minutes with Auva’a’s effort and a 14-minute hat-trick from Radradra.

The Broncos were quick to reply however with tries from David Mead, Josh McGuire and a goal from Anthony Milford.

Parramatta would extend their lead before half-time with a late effort from centre Michael Jennings.

Radradra quickly extended the Eels’ lead to 26, completing his four try haul after the break on 44 minutes.

Two Brisbane tries through Herman Ese’ese and Alex Glenn saw them close the gap to just 14 but three quick fire tries from Brad Takairangi, the only try not goaled by Mitchell Moses, Michael Jennings for his second and David Gower sealed the win for the Eels despite late consolation tries from Tautau Moga and Corey Oates.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has made three changes, including a positional switch, for Saturday’s clash with New Zealand in Dunedin.

Cheika says he rushed Samu Kerevi back into the Wallabies fold too soon after injury, axing the centre for the second Bledisloe Test, while promoting lock Rob Simmons in a surprise selection.

The Wallabies mentor said the Reds centre was ‘disappointed’ but understood how to make his way back.

“His headspace is obviously disappointed but pretty positive around what he needs to do,” he told the Australian Rugby Union’s official website.

“He’s got a clear guide on what he needs to do to get back in the team.

“You see how highly we rate Samu by putting him straight in after a bit of a layoff after Super Rugby with injuries and maybe we did him a bit of a disservice by picking him too soon.

“Maybe he needed another week or two of preparation to get exactly right to play his best rugby.”

Simmons has been given the green light to start for the Wallabies in the second Bledisloe Test, despite being unwanted by the Reds in Super Rugby.

Simmons, played 13 matches for the Reds this year, one of those at blindside flanker after being released by Queensland as coach Nick Stiles looked to the future.

He and fellow World Cup lock Kane Douglas were both out of favour at the Reds, with Simmons left out of the 23 as early as March when the side played the Jaguares.

Simmons played in 11 of the Wallabies’ 15 Tests last year, starting in three of the Spring Tour Tests after an injury to Adam Coleman.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika showed the 72-Test veteran faith, though, picking he and fellow out-of-favour lock Kane Douglas in his Rugby Championship squad.

Simmons is the only change in the Wallabies pack from the Sydney Test, with Rory Arnold shifted to the bench in a straight swap.

Cheika opted for Sydney debutant Curtis Rona on the bench over Kerevi, with the Force back providing some extra versatility.

“Just a little but more flexibility with position. Curtis can play on the wing, in the centre,” he said.

“I know it was his first game and it was a pretty crazy game in the first one last weekend and I want to make sure that we think he’s got a big career in front of him.

“He understands a bit of what the pace is about at Test footy and he’ll get a chance to finish the game off for us.”

Dane Haylett-Petty has been cleared of a biceps injury, replacing Rona in the 15, with Henry Speight shifting to the left wing, in what was an simple decision for the Wallabies.

“For a guy who is still quite young in his international career he’s certainly put a mark on the game and he would have been selected last week if he was fit,” Cheika said.

“He’s got good back-field work and now that he’s back and fit I think it was an easy selection.”

Rona has been kept in the matchday 23, though, named on the bench.

Jack Dempsey comes into the 23 calculations, with Cheika leaving a choice between he and Lopeti Timani open for one more day, with the pair both carrying niggles through the week.

The All Blacks named their team earlier on Thursday, with Sonny Bill Williams cleared to play.

The Springbok Sevens team will step up their preparations for the forthcoming World Rugby Sevens Series in October, when they take part in the Assupol International 7s tournament in Stellenbosch.

The tournament, which was launched in Stellenbosch on Thursday, will see South Africa in action at the Markotter Stadium on October 28 and 29 with fellow World Series contenders Scotland and Kenya, as well as the national sides of Zimbabwe, Namibia and Mauritius, and the England Academy Sevens team.

Blitzboks coach Neil Powell said this was an ideal opportunity to fine-tune their preparations for the 2017/18 World Rugby Sevens Series, with the first of those tournaments, the Dubai Emirates Airline Sevens, to be played a month later.

“The timing and venue of the tournament could not be better for us,” Powell said.

“The fact that is held next door to our base at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport means that we don’t have to travel at all, while the quality of teams assembled for this will provide us with proper competition and competitive matches.”

A number of players who helped the Blitzboks to win the series in 2016/17 are currently involved in Currie Cup rugby and Powell feels the Assupol International 7s will be the perfect opportunity for them to get back in the sevens swing of things.

“You can train as hard as you want, live matches are still the best way to improve your game and test new things,” said Powell.

“We are grateful to Assupol for sponsoring this, as it fits in perfectly in our planning for the forthcoming season that will also have a Commonwealth Games and Rugby Sevens World Cup on the calendar. The quicker we can get all our guys on the same page, the better, so this tournament will really help.”

Powell also confirmed the departure of regular Strength and Conditioning Coach, Allan Temple-Jones, who has taken up an overseas offer.

“’TJ’ has been with the squad for more than 10 years and has been a core member to our successes,” said Powell.

“He was part of both South African teams that won the series titles – last season and in 2009 – and that in itself is testimony of his ability. You can also add the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games and bronze at the Olympics Games to understand how successful he was.

“I want to thank him for all the years of dedicated service and high performance. We are sad to see him go, but understand his decision to leave and take up an offer he could not really refuse.”

South Africa will also send a team to the Octoberfest Sevens, to be played in Munich on 29 and 30 September. The squad and management team for the trip will be announced later.

The Assupol International 7s will host an international section with South Africa, Scotland, Kenya, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, All Stars and England Academy competing. An international Under-17 tournament, where Argentina, Namibia and South Africa are amongst the participants, will also be held, supplemented by a Western Province club tournament.