Coco Talanoa — Sports / Page 17

Earlier today All Blacks coach Ian Foster named his first squad for 2022 for the upcoming Ireland test series at the Fale o Samoa - Samoa House.

Pasifika Engagement Manager Saveatama Eroni Clarke explains why it was important to make the announcement at the Fale o Samoa and we speak to a few well known former All Blacks about how they felt when they got their first AB’s call up.

Psssst! The Prime Minister of Samoa, Hon. Fiame Naomi Mata'afa makes a cameo with a Pasifika rugby legend too.

All Blacks Test Squad to face Ireland:

- new caps with * next to their names.…more

Coco Sports Talk catches up with Samoan rapper Lisi who was in NZ doing some promo for his upcoming NZ tour next week.

DID YOU KNOW?!  He's a bit of a sports head - he loves his footy & explains why he lives in Queensland but goes for NSW when it comes to State of Origin and where his loyalties lie when it comes down to international matches.

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Watch the full episode of Coco Sports Talk below - 

Public Interest Journalism made with the help of NZ on Air 

Coco Sports Talk with Penina and Ashley - covering all things sports from a Pasifika female lens!

#CocoSportsTalk looks at the many stories of Pasifika people involved in sports of all kinds, and the trials and tribulations of the talented athletes from all sectors of our community.

This episode we catch up with Samoan rapper Lisi who was in NZ doing some promo for his upcoming tour in a couple of weeks because ... DID YOU KNOW?!  He's a bit of a sports head, loves his footy & explains why he lives in Queensland but goes for NSW when it comes to State of Origin.

Robinhood Stars Centre/Wing Attack Mila Reuelu-Buchanan talks what it was like for her making the Silver Ferns, learning about her culture through sports plus shares some of what she does outside of netball including her hobbies.…more

Polynesians make up less than 1 half of 1% of the US population but there are more than 70 players of Polynesian heritage in the NFL and over 400 Polynesians playing college football.

The NFL celebrates AAPI Heritage month with this spotlight on Polynesians in the NFL.

"[Being in the NFL] allows me to give back everything that I didn't have growing up." - Penei Sewell 

Moana Pasifika and major sponsor Samoa Tourism are celebrating the final game of Moana Pasifika’s season in the DHL Super Rugby Pacific competition and the opening of Samoa’s international borders from the 1st of August.  Beautiful is Back!

Be in to win a family holiday for 4 to Beautiful Samoa which includes return flights and a 5 night stay at the Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort.  All you need to do is buy your ticket online to Moana Pasifika's last home game at Mt Smart Stadium next Saturday 28th May.  They'll be playing Australian favourites the Brumbies in the final match of their inaugural season.

Don't miss out! 

Simply buy a ticket online to the match before 7.00 pm on Saturday 28 May 2022 and apply the code ‘SAMOA’ on checkout to enter the draw. The winner will be drawn at random from all eligible tickets. Notification of the winner will be made at the match on Saturday 28 May.…more

Boxing Heavyweights Junior Fa and Hemi Ahio are confirmed to fight on the Kambosos vs Haney card on the 5th June at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.

Junior will take on Lucas Browne (former WBA champ from Australia) and will fight for the WBA Oceania Heavyweight title.

Hemi is the current WBC Middle East Heavyweight champ after winning the title in Dubai last October and will take on Joe Jones from the USA.

We catch up with the boys for a chat at City Kickboxing Gym in Auckland.

Catch up on more of our Pacific Islanders in sports here - https://www.thecoconet.tv/coco-talanoa/sports/

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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air 

When Liz Patu runs out on the rugby field this afternoon against Japan on the Gold Coast, she will make history as Australia's most capped female rugby player.

This will be her 25th test cap and when she plays today she will move ahead of retired Wallaroos Selena Tranter, Tui Ormsby and Rebecca Clough.  

The 32 year old Samoan was born in Auckland and then raised in Samoa before moving to Australia to live when she was 14yrs old.  She plays club rugby for the Queensland Reds and made her debut for the Wallaroos in 2014 for the Womens Rugby World Cup.…more

Coco Sports Talk with Penina and Ashley - covering all things sports from a Pasifika female lens!

#CocoSportsTalk looks at the many stories of Pasifika people involved in sports of all kinds, and the trials and tribulations of the talented athletes from all sectors of our community.

This episode celebrates Mothers Day where we speak to three Super Mamas who have returned to professional sports after having children.

Lanulangi Veainu plays both professional rugby and rugby league, Baby 'Pitbull' Nansen is a professional fighter in boxing, kickboxing and MMA + former Silver Fern and professional netballer for the Severn Stars in the Vitality Netball Super League - Cathrine Tuivaiti.

They share with us the struggles and joys of being Mamas while staying on the top of their sporting careers.…more

The 2022 NFL Draft was the 87th edition of the National Football League's annual draft and was held from April 28–30th at the Caesars Forum in Las Vegas.

This year there was a total of two players of Polynesian Heritage who were picked up in the 2022 NFL draft - Daniel Fa'alele who is of Samoan/Tongan heritage from Melbourne Australia and Khalil Shakir who is also of Samoan/Tongan heritage born in California but also lived in Hawaii and Japan as his father was in the Marines.

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Polynesian 2022 Draft Picks in order below: 

Daniel Fa'alele: Samoan/Tongan - Offensive Tackle 

#110th pick overall, drafted by the Baltimore Ravens.…more

Coco Sports Talk with Penina and Ashley - covering all things sports from a Pasifika female lens!

#CocoSportsTalk looks at the many stories of Pasifika people involved in sports of all kinds, and the trials and tribulations of the talented athletes from all sectors of our community.

This episode we cover recent sporting headlines and Ashley is back with her Round of Reckons PLUS we take a look at the NFL Draft which is happening this weekend (29th April 22 NZT). 

We speak to Calum Niuafe, San Francisco 49ers & NFL fan/stats guy who lets us know what Pasifika players we should be looking out for in the draft this weekend, why he loves American Football and who his fave player of Pasifika heritage is.   We also talk to Epenesa Pakola - a college football Mom in the US who gives us a bit of insight as to why College Football is so important in regards to getting drafted to the NFL.…more