Coco Talanoa — Sports / Page 1

It was a big night for Pacific Boxing last night as the IBF Cruiserweight Title Fight Night showcased the best performances the Pacific has to offer.

Jai Opetaia: And Still

Headlining the event, Australian-Samoan Jai Opetaia defended his IBF Cruiserweight Title in spectacular fashion. Opetaia delivered a breathtaking fourth-round knockout against David Nyika, cementing his place among boxing’s elite.

After overcoming serious injuries in his 2022 title win against Mairis Briedis, Opetaia’s journey to this moment has been nothing short of extraordinary. Defending his title after just a short 4 months since his win against Jack Massey in October last year. Speaking of his career-defining win, he previously said, “I’ve put everything on the line to get here. This is my dream.”

Opetaia’s victory showcased not only his technical skill but also his unyielding determination, a trait he credits to his Pasifika roots. Fans waved Samoan flags with pride as Opetaia celebrated his (not so) hard-fought victory.…more

Samoan Cruiserweight champ Jai Opetaia & David Nyika Face Off ahead of their highly anticipated fight TONIGHT! In Australia.

In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Fiji's rugby sevens team emerged victorious at the Emirates Dubai 7s over the weekend, claiming the title for the first time in eight years.

This victory marks the end of a 22-tournament drought for Fiji, a significant achievement under the guidance of player-turned-coach Osea Kolinisau. The team showcased a remarkable performance, culminating in a decisive 19-5 victory against Spain in the men's final.

The match began with Spain taking an early lead, scoring 5 points in the first half. However, Fiji quickly retaliated, matching Spain's score just before heading into the second half, setting the stage for an exhilarating showdown.

Kolinisau expressed his joy and relief after the match, stating, “It’s been a long time coming for the boys,” especially in light of the drama that has surrounded the Fiji Rugby scene in recent years. His leadership has been pivotal in bringing the team together, revitalizing the squad with a blend of new talent and experienced players.…more

Big Island weekend of sport!

Fetu Samoa vs Fiji Bulikula 16 – 12

Fetu Samoa fought back to win a thrilling encounter at the Womens Pacific Bowl Final against Fiji Bulikula. The Fijians who looked the better of the two teams where ahead on the scoreboard for 67 minutes, before Fetu Samoa Captain Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala crashed over for her second try to seal the win and a place for her Samoan team at the next Womens Rugby League World cup 2025 in England.

The Fijians go home heartbroken but can claim the Audience Choice Award for the tournament and should be in the running for the best tries scored. 

Fetu Samoa hopes are now that their fetu will shine brightly in the Rugby World Cup next year.

Mate Ma’a Tonga vs Kiwis 25 - 24

The showdown for a place in the final of the Pacific cup between  New Zealand and Tonga almost proved to be a fizzer if you were a kiwi supporter.…more

Local sports legends and community leaders are coming together on November 2nd at Otara Pool and Leisure Centre to support the NEET Youth Mentoring Programme. With funding cuts looming, Counties Manukau is determined to keep this essential support available for its youth.

The NEET service—short for Not in Employment, Education, or Training—focuses on helping young people stay on track when mainstream paths aren’t working for them. Whether it’s finishing school, exploring further education, or stepping into employment, the programme guides youth towards establishing their next steps. However, with funding set to be cut, the urgency to raise money has never been greater.

“We have the honour and privilege of serving Counties Manukau communities every day and experiencing first-hand the unmatched pride and passion that exists in our people for all things sport,” says CEO Greg Buckley.…more

The Zespri AIMS Games, which began on lastweek in Tauranga, has already proven to be a memorable experience for the St Anne’s Primary School netball team from Suva, Fiji.

Competing for the first time in this prestigious tournament, the team, dubbed the “Suva Ferns,” was warmly welcomed with an emotional pōwhiri that moved many of the players to tears.

The powerful kapa haka performance from Tauranga Intermediate School set the tone for what has been described as a life-changing event for the girls.

The team, which consists of 12 young athletes, worked tirelessly to fundraise for the trip, selling traditional Fijian meals and kava barrels to cover the costs.

For many of the girls, this is their first time leaving Fiji, adding even more significance to their journey.

Milli Caginavanua, head of St Anne’s, expressed in an interview with AIMS, “Some of the girls have travelled to New Zealand before, but a lot have not.…more

The Paris 2024 Paralympics kick off 29th August 6:00am NZST (28th Aug 1pm CT, USA) and for the first time ever there will be 13 Pacific athletes competing.

The record breaking Pacific registration was celebrated by the Oceania Paralympic Committee who remarked that ‘this moment represented years of preparation, sacrifice and determination.”

The Pacific cohort boasts representation from 6 pacific nations - Fiji, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and Kiribati.

The 13 strong Pacific athlete squad consists of 7 women and 6 men competing across the para-taekwando and the para-athletics.…more

“A strong culture means a strong team”

The very first Pasifika Rugby League team in Aotearoa was the legendary ‘Samoana’ team from Dunedin in the early 1960s, now a new exhibition at the Hocken Library in Dunedin shines a light on the ragtag team and their extraordinary success on the field. 

‘Samoana’ made up of scholarship students and Samoan locals, was formed in the wake of local NZ rugby teams not seeing the value of Pasifika players, and the low Pasifika playing representation across rugby and league codes. 

Proving them spectacularly wrong, the newly formed team smashed a series of South Island league championships to remain undefeated in a 3 year run. In their first season, 1964, Samoana triumphed over the local competition, with 18 wins of19 games played, their success saw them dominate the sport for the next 3 years, winning local and South Island titles.…more

Down, But Not Out. 

In the opening weekend of the 2024 Summer Olympics, three very different boxers took to the ring, each with extraordinary pressures on them. Though none would be victorious in their match, it was in many ways what happened off the ring that made them simply competing vitally important to both their nations and the wider Pacific community. 

Fe’ofa’aki Epenisa is the first female boxer to compete for Tonga at the Olympics, which you may have already heard about. What you might not know is that boxing was banned in Tonga less than a decade ago. 

In 2018 a letter was sent from then Education Minister Penisimani Fifira to Tonga High School issuing a ban on rugby and boxing. The ban made international headlines, with rugby the focus, partly because Jonah Lomu remains the most famous pacific rugby player of all time. The boxing ban was a bit of an add on to most stories, but it was a big deal for female boxers because the ban was not about safety.…more