Wales coach John Kear has hit out at the World Cup organisers after they refused his request for water breaks during his side's opening game against Papua New Guinea.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has warned that all refugees who arrive in the country by boat will be resettled on the island nation of Papua New Guinea as his government struggles to stem an influx of asylum seekers.

Rescuers have plucked nearly 240 survivors from the sea off Papua New Guinea’s east coast after a ferry sank with as many as 350 people on board, officials said.

Rescue crews plucked more than 200 survivors from the sea off Papua New Guinea’s north-east coast today, after a ferry sank with as many as 350 people on board.