The players from the Faa’a and Punaauia rugby clubs met on Wednesday at the Punaruu stadium to train together and address tensions that had arisen between them. The opening of the rugby sevens championship, held on Saturday, September 24, was disrupted by a confrontation between players from the two clubs and an unexpected invasion of the field. In response, Faa’a initiated a joint training session with Punaauia, which took place on Wednesday evening at the Punaruu stadium. This meeting was organized with the agreement of both clubs and aimed to restore a sense of unity and professionalism in the sport. The Polynesian Rugby Federation (FPR), led by Patrick Lopez-Diot, has faced significant challenges in the past two weeks due to the incidents that marred the start of the rugby sevens championship. The abandoned match between Punaauia and Faa’a at the tournament's opening created a negative image for local rugby. However, the sport is now preparing for a major season, including the development of men's and women's teams for the 2027 Pacific Games. This effort comes amid limited infrastructure due to the ongoing renovation of the Fautaua complex, making it crucial for the federation to act swiftly to restore credibility. The Faa’a and Punaauia clubs, with the support of the FPR’s federal council and president, re-established communication to address the tensions. On Wednesday evening, players from both clubs gathered at the Punaruu stadium to exchange ideas, apologize for the unrepresentative behavior during the earlier incident, and train together. The goal was to reaffirm the core values of rugby, such as brotherhood and respect, which were evident during the session. The event was also a step toward resolving the conflict and setting a positive example for the sport. Disciplinary actions are likely to be taken by the FPR’s disciplinary committee and central sports committee against players involved in the September 24 incident. These committees will meet next Tuesday with the presidents of the affected clubs to decide on appropriate measures. Patrick Lopez-Diot, president of the FPR, expressed hope that the event marked a turning point for Polynesian rugby. He emphasized the importance of acknowledging mistakes and overcoming challenges with humility and respect. Looking ahead, the Tahitian U16 and U18 teams will face the Calédonian Païta club in matches on Saturday. The Tahitian U16 team will also travel to New Caledonia soon to compete in the Pacific Seven tournament, scheduled for October 21 and 22.