NATION DEMAND POSITIVE RESULTS With the rugby world cup just days away the nation has begun to prepare for the tournament. Across the nation schools have made arrangements to screen games and pubs have ordered extra barrels of beer. It is expected, as always, that during games featuring the national team that the country will come to a practical standby. With the men's team being in action against a pair of Celtic nations a tough group stage is expected while the womens team must face hosts Vaguzia, Dal Rathia and Mkvartvelo. The national team are always faced with high expectations as national team coach Sepi Valakana explains, "To wear the black jersey is the highest honour for a professional rugby player. Everyone who comes into camp must work not for their own personal fame or glory but must bust their guts to ensure that when they leave camp they have done something to put the status of the jersey into a better place. Thats a lot of pressure but if we can consistently do this then we can achieve a great deal."
King Piripi has already announced his intention to spend some time in East Moreland during the tournament and is likely to cross the border several times to attend games. With Prince Kimo still recovering from a broken arm caused by an accident at the Ruku Puke Festival it is unlikely the youngster will travel. A spokesman from the royal palace said. "The Prince currently has several metal pins in his arm and is having to take a great care about not banging his arm and so being in a large crowd is not advisable. The Prince though is on the mend and should make a full recovery in time with rest and then physio."
FLT LT VAUTU TO COMMAND FIRST ALL MAORI MISSION On the 24th June 2022 the Maori community will celebrate Matariki. This is a day when the Maori community remember the dead of the previous year and begin preparations for the year ahead. It marks the new year for the Maori and thanks is given to the Gods Ranginui and Papatūānuku. This year however a unique celebration will be undertaken. Flt Lt Vautu will command a three man team on a mission to the CNN Space Station and despite Roca Thumberaka being the first Maori in space nearly two years ago this will the the first time a crew made entirely of Maori will go into space. Flt Lt Vautu, a member of the Rongomaiwahine Iwi said, "This is a very special occasion for us, first to show that the Maori are capable of great things and the second that we are as close to Rangi as it is possible to get while alive, the Sky Father has watched over us and on Matariki must be given great respect. We can think of no better way than undertaking this journey." The crew should, if all goes to plan, enter the space station that day and are expected to conduct some Matariki traditions on the space station including an offering of food, usually sweet potato, to the God.
The crew will spend four weeks on the station conduct several experiments and Lt. Vautu has two concerns, "Our first worry is that we may miss the rugby world cup final, we're hoping that with the CNN being an alliance built on rugby things can be worked out. Our second concern is that we will be expected to welcome our replacements and in our culture this will require a haka which is usually determined by the territory on which it is conducted, this obviously is going to be tricky in space but we welcome this oppurtunity." Renowned poet Rua Matutaera has been asked by King Piripi to prepare for the occasion.