Tahiti

RNZ reports in France and many overseas territories, Mr Fillon won a resounding victory in last weekend's run-off against Alain Juppé, but in French Polynesia Mr Juppé was the winner, backed by Mr Fritch and his party.

Mr Fritch told local television that discussions are needed between his government and Mr Fillon, who has proposed big cuts to the public sector.

RNZ reports Laurent and Meherio Para, aged 34 and 29 respectively, were discovered by fishermen yesterday.

They had left the island of Huahine in the Society Islands heading for Maiao further south on their motorised fishing boat.

French Polynesia's air and maritime rescue service spent 55 hours looking for the pair over 70-thousand square kilometres of ocean and had stopped searching on Monday.

Meherio Para said they survived on a large fish they had caught and collected rainwater and used a tarpaulin for a sail.

Raymond Gunemba's second goal straight after half time gavePNG a clear lead before Tahiti hit back with a  10 men team after captain Nicolas Vallar was sent off for a dangerous tackle to Raymond Gunemba.

Minutes later Tahiti slammed in two goals to level with PNG.

With just 15 minutes before fulltime Tahitian striker Teaonui Tehau slotted in the second goal from a corner from a nicely place kick  to see  the  find the net to force the draw.

Tahiti held off the attacking PNG side until the final whistle.

It was a tough match throughout the first half as Papua New Guineans gave the reigning champs a hard time driving through the back with the Komolong brothers Alvin and Felix partnering with sweeper  Danial Joe to maintain a strong backline.

Despite PNG Skipper David Muta and mid-fielder Jacob Sabua both given yellow cards, Sabua returned with a stunning comeback after the warning with a right wing cross that leaves Veteran Gunemba who swindled the ball with his left foot past the Tahitian goalkeeper.

PNG scored right on half time to  lead Tahiti 1-0.

The organisers want to have the performance registered in the Guinness Book of Records to eclipse a dancing event in Mexico last year.

To comply with Guinness rules, the dance had to be performed at a set time, reportedly excluding hundreds of willing participants who were stuck in traffic trying to reach the site.

The French Polynesian president, Edouard Fritch, says for the time being February 22 and 23 have been earmarked for the visit.

He says more will be known once the French High Commissioner returns from his visit to Paris.

Cook Islands won the biennial event two years ago but will not defend their title, choosing to focus their limited resources on November's Olympic Sevens Qualifier.

Newcomers American Samoa open proceedings against Solomon Islands at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, followed by hosts Papua New Guinea against Tahiti, in the first round of matches.

The General Manager of Rugby PNG, Frank Genia, says pride and silverware aren't the only things on up for grabs.

The French territory, which currently has observer status at the Forum, is looking at increasing its involvement in the leading regional body.

A Forum mission has recently been in Tahiti to assess its membership bid.

The director of Massey University's Pasifika Centre, Malakai Koloamatangi, says while France is reluctant to entertain the idea of its territories becoming independent, it wants to engage more with the region and having Forum membership could help effect this.

The Tiki Toa finished second at the World Cup in Portugal last week, beaten 5-3 by the host nation in the tournament decider.

It's the first time an Oceania team had contest a World Cup final, improving on their fourth-placed finish two years ago on home soil.

Oceania Football's Beach Soccer and Futsal Development Officer Paul Toohey says despite a number of Tahiti players pushing 40 he expects they will return for the next World Cup in the Bahamas in 2017.

The bronze medal holders lost to silver medallist Tahiti 3-0 in a close encounter this evening at the BSP Arena.

The Tahitians were too strong and surprised the sell-out crowd as they put on a great show.

The arena was filled to capacity with fans supporting the home team but they were  disappointed after Tahiti stomped over PNG in the first set 25-22.

The crowd kept chanting and cheering the home team on as the pressure was applied in the second set.