Samoa
FILE - New Zealand All Blacks winger Charles Piutau runs down field during a rugby test match against Argentina in Christchurch, New Zealand, on July 17, 2015. World Rugby has relaxed its eligibility rules to allow players to switch countries as of January. The governing body made the announcement Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021, in what it described as a “landmark" change. International players such as England's Billy and Mako Vunipola could represent Tonga, as could New Zealand's Charles Piutau, who won the last of his 17 caps in 2015, making him eligible to switch country allegiance next year. (AP Photo/SNPA, Ross Setford)
World Rugby to allow players to switch national teams

Nov. 24, 2021 02:44 PM EST

Chile's Sebastian Berti, left, is tackled by Jamaica's Mark Phillips during an HSBC Canada Sevens semifinal rugby match in Edmonton, Alberta, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
South Africa wins Edmonton Sevens and men's series title

Sep. 26, 2021 08:22 PM EDT

Kenya's Alvin Otieno, center, is tackled by Spain's Alberto Carmona, left, and Josep Serres during an HSBC Canada Sevens rugby match in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)
South Africa close in on Series title at Edmonton Sevens

Sep. 25, 2021 09:21 PM EDT

Kenya's Levy Amunga, left, and South Africa's Darren Adonis vie for the ball during an HSBC Canada Sevens rugby game in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
US, South Africa through to final 8 at Vancouver Sevens

Sep. 18, 2021 10:53 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 11, 2016, file photo, Viliame Mata of Fiji evades a tackle during the gold medal mens rugby sevens match against Britain at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was rugby in fast forward and it generated millions of new fans across the world. Rugby sevens made its Olympic debut in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 bringing all the usual hard-hitting tackles, collisions and swerving runs but leaving out the slow-mo elements of the traditional 15-a-side game. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)
Olympic travel a big challenge for some Pacific Island teams

By Steve Mcmorran Jul. 07, 2021 03:01 AM EDT

A crow perches on a light pole near the statue of the Olympics rings in Tokyo on Thursday, July 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
3 Samoan weightlifters to miss Olympics over virus concerns

By Steve Mcmorran Jul. 01, 2021 08:19 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 1, 2019, file photo, New Zealand players perform the haka before the Rugby World Cup bronze final game at Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo, Japan. New Zealand Rugby will face a momentous decision on the future of the All Blacks at its annual meeting Thursday, April 29, 2021, when it debates whether to sell a stake in the commercial value of the national team to American investors. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File)
New Zealand to play Fiji, Tonga in July internationals

May. 16, 2021 08:16 PM EDT

A man wearing a face mask gets off train in Tokyo on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020. Japan's number of reported coronavirus infections hit a record high Thursday, and the prime minister urged maximum caution but stopped short of calling for restrictions on travel or business. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
Asia Today: Samoa leader appeals for calm after COVID case

Nov. 18, 2020 10:57 PM EST

A health care worker works at a walk-up COVID-19 testing site, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, in Miami. Florida health officials have reported a steady increase in the number of new coronavirus cases each day over the past month and a half, though the numbers are no where near the peak in July. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
The Latest: S Korea begins stronger limits in some areas

By The Associated Press Nov. 18, 2020 02:23 AM EST