In this powerful interview, former NZ Warriors and Kiwis rugby league player Sione Faumuina has an open and honest conversation with his former teammate, league legend Manu Vatuvei in an @Unspoken-NZ exclusive.

By James Nokise 

There was a moment right after the Scotland vs Tonga match that not many of the TV networks chose to show. 

The Ikale Tahi who, despite a close first half, were beaten by a well-rested Scottish team 45 - 17, returned to the field to thank their fans. 

Normally when a team takes a moment like this they are celebrating a victory, but Tonga’s situation did not require a lap of Stade de Nice, just a couple of quick visits to two small groups. 

Don’t be fooled by any official photos you may see that imply the crowd support was equal.…more

In a pivotal second pool game of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Tonga's Ikale Tahi faced off against Scotland, seeking a victory that would keep their World Cup dreams alive. However, their efforts fell short as Scotland emerged victorious with a commanding score of 45-17.

Tonga fought valiantly against a formidable Scottish side. The Tongan team showcased moments of brilliance, gaining an early lead when Solomone Kata scored the Tonga's first try of the game after a successful penalty kick from fly-half David Havili. However, Scotland's superior performance and cohesive gameplay ultimately secured a decisive win.

This defeat marks the end of Tonga's contention in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, dimming their hopes of advancing to the quarterfinals.

Nevertheless, Tonga hope to go out on a high, looking for wins in the remainder of their pool games. They go up against South Africa on Monday 2, October 2023 and 8:00 NZDT.

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Cover Image from World Rugby via Getty Images

By Loveni Enari 

What's better for Pacific Islanders’ mental health than a laugh with your mates about the hidings you got as kids?

You know the stories … with the jandal, the stick, at school, in front of mates, the whole church; the time Mum was throwing stones at me while I was running away, she was telling my cousins to catch me and they had to, but they were really sad about it; the time Dad went overboard with the hockey stick … oops, maybe that’s not so funny, but there are many more, aren’t there? Too many, maybe?

And then the laugh and ‘Ehh, what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger, no?’ Or the tough sounding, ‘It was nothing more than your average PI kid got, no more.’ Or, ‘It’s good trauma. Toughens you up.…more

The Manu Samoa went up against Argentina's Los Pumas in their second pool game of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Samoa, however, unfortunately fell short against the Argentine side.

Samoa fell short due to an early yellow card, errors in the first half, and missed penalties, which proved costly in the end. Argentina managed to secure a hard-earned win by capitalizing on key opportunities and executing their game plan effectively.

Nonetheless, Samoa remains steadfast, ready to take on Japan in their next pool game on Friday 29 September, 8am NZDT.

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Cover Image from World Rugby via Getty Images

By Loveni Enari

The Manu Samoa rugby team might be playing on the fields of southern France but they are receiving specialised, scientific Samoan expertise all the way from Atlanta, Georgia in the US.

In a CoconetTV exclusive we can reveal that Manumalo Muasau, Mental Performance Coach to the NFL team, the Tennessee Titans, is working closely with top players in Manu Samoa to provide that extra edge, in the all important top two inches.

Manu Samoa's coach Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua and Muasau had followed each other on social media for quite a while and finally connected after the coach reached out a few weeks ago for assistance to our boys in royal-blue at the Rugby World Cup.

‘Coach Mapusua is a former elite athlete but as a coach he’s someone who’s brilliant in understanding wellbeing and performance holistically, not just physically but mentally as well,’ says Manumalo, which means ‘victory’ in English.…more

There’s a late player and captain for the Manu Samoa rugby team who died in 2005 but whose name is still mentioned with a wistful, 100 yard stare and a ‘Kalofa e’ - Samoan for ‘poor thing’ or ‘how sad’.

His name was Faitala Talapusi, Skipper as he was known in his playing days, and Rev in his latter years. He hailed from the village of Vaiala and grew up directly opposite the main entrance back then, to Apia Park. 

‘Kalofa e,’ because Faitala was only 55 when cancer took him in the prime of his intellectual career as a lecturer, reverend and theologian, his playing days long in the rear vision mirror by then.

He had been the captain of the Manu Samoa rugby team in the late 1970s and CEO in 1995/6, but apart from his much admired, on-field talent, he was also a hugely intelligent, likeable character off the field, unique in his generation for his ability to lead, unite and inspire.…more

There are few rugby wins that resonate beyond the final whistle, leaving an indelible mark on both fans and the sporting world, but the 2023 Rugby World Cup bore witness to one such historic moment - a triumph decades in the making.

In an amazing display of skill and determination, Fiji scripted a tale of resounding victory, defeating Australia in their second World Cup pool game, their first win over the Aussie side in an astonishing 69 years.

The energy was high even before kick off, with the Flying Fijians sending the crowd into a roar with their pre-match Cibi

In what was a high-octane match from start to finish, the Flying Fijians managed to hold off a strong Wallabies side, ending the game 22-15 and placing them second in the Pool C standings, behind Wales.

Fiji's win over Australia will remain vivid in the hearts of the players and fans of the team for a long time to come. Their next pool game will be against Georgia on Sunday, 1st October at 4:45am NZDT.

One week into the Rugby World Cup, Loveni Enari runs the rule over the good, the bad and the rugby.

Best teams: Ireland. France. Numbers one and two. The speed and dynamic variety of Ireland's attack allowed them to put 59 points on a very well prepared Tongan team. You had to feel for the Pacific brothers, outplayed by the form team in world rugby.

France is playing calm, within themselves, no over exertion. The business end is still a month away, why fuss now?

Pasifika support: heart warming to see photos and videos of loved ones, family and friends supporting our three island nations in the French stadiums. We can hear the chahooing, now let's get that dancing going brothers and sisters! Shake your money makers!

Pasifika teams:

Poor Tonga in the pool of death. They acquitted themselves proudly yet still shipped a bundle of points. Play the same again versus Scotland and they could win.  The talent of Salesi Piutau, Ben Tameifuna and Pita Ahkhi surely deserve it.…more

'If you're from the hood, you gotta be in the hood'

Samoan rapper Poetik has recently opened up a retail store, 'Big Village,' in Avondale, West Auckland in what he hopes to be a space for the Pasifika community to come together, be creative and share a space. Check out the opening day! 🎤🌺

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