Coco Talanoa — Sports / Page 18

An emotional Viliame Kikau receives the jersey for his 100th NRL game from his family during a surprise visit from Fiji.

- 

Watch the special NRL video from the time Viliame went back to Fiji to visit his family and shared the unbreakable bond he has with his brother Jope (who surprises Vili shown in the video above) - click here to watch 

In October last year, Hemi 'The Heat' Ahio made history winning the first-ever World Boxing Council (WBC) Heavyweight title in the Middle East when he fought Mohammad Ali Bayat Farid on Amir Khan's Crypto Fight Night in Dubai.

The South Auckland born, Tongan heavy hitter and his coach Doug Viney share Hemi's fight night experience, winning the WBC Middle East Heavyweight belt and goals for the future.

.

Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air 

-

Director - Penina Momoiseā

Editor - Sefa Taouma 

Camera Operator - Adrian Mcbirney 

Via Moana Pasifika 

Pictured above Left to Right: Ereatara Enari, Captain Sekope Kepu and Almanda Motuga.  Photo credit:  Taylah Johnson 

-

Moana Pasifika have named an historic side for their inaugural Super Rugby Pacific match against the Crusaders on Friday night at 7.05pm. 

Their maiden voyage into the competition comes in round three after the postponement of the first two matches due to the team needing to self-isolate with Covid cases.  
 
Head Coach Aaron Mauger recognises the significance of the match and what it means for Pacific Island Rugby. 
 
“This has been 26 years in the making and after recent challenges, it’s good to finally be here.

For many it will be their debut and significantly they are getting the opportunity to take to the field and compete, when perhaps an opportunity wouldn’t be available.…more

Today the Pacific and Rugby community mourn the passing of the legendary Va'aiga Tuigamala. We look back at the incredible life he lived and the career path he blazed. 

Va'aiga Lealuga Tuigamala, also known as Inga, was a professional rugby union and rugby league player. Born in Samoa, he represented New Zealand in rugby union, winning 19 caps, and later Samoa in both rugby league and rugby union. He played in one rugby league and two rugby union World Cups.

via Radio New Zealand 

Families of Manu Samoa players rally behind their sons.

Allegations of bullying and mistreatment were detailed in a letter sent by the Manu Samoa Sevens Team to the Pacific Rugby Players Association.

The families' spokeman, Henry Gray, told Radio Polynesia the details of the allegations. He said that the examples of bullying provided by the team were very hard for the players' family members to read.

Lakapi Samoa CEO, Faleomavaega Vincent Fepulea'i, said that it is conducting its own investigation and a sub-committee has been appointed to investigate the matter and report back urgently.

"I watch and wait to see the outcome of the investigation by PRP along with the Lakapi Samoa subcommittee. Personally, I have highlighted my own concerns directly with management on a few occasions," Gray said.

"As a concerned parent, we await with anticipation the outcome of the investigations. Until then, we continue to uplift our Manu Samoa 7's team in prayer, especially the players, our sons" he said.…more

The finalists for New Zealand's favourite sporting moment at the Halberg Awards have been announced and 6 of our Pacific Islanders are finalists.

* Black Cap Ross Taylor for hitting the winning runs to secure the inaugural ICC World Test Cricket Championship for New Zealand against India at Southampton.  

* The Black Ferns Sevens winning Gold at the Tokyo Olympics - Team mates Ruby Tui, Alena Saili, Risaleaana Pouri-Lane, Theresa Fitzpatrick & Shiray Kaka are of Pacific Islands heritage.

* Black Fern Ruby Tui's post game interview with the BBC after the Black Ferns win over the Russian Olympic Committee went viral at the time (watch above) 

- 

“New Zealand’s Favourite Sporting Moment is a popular part of the awards for both the athletes and fans. We are sure it will create much interest and involvement from the public, who will decide the winner,” Halberg Foundation chief executive Shelley McMeeken said in a statement.

The public can vote once-a-day HERE. Voting closes at 9pm on February 23rd

Sonny Bill Williams vs Barry Hall boxing match has officially been confirmed for the 23rd of March.

Cross code super star Sonny Bill Williams will take on former AFL star Barry Hall in 8, 3 minute rounds at Sydney's International Convention Centre.  Their approaches couldn't be more different but come fight night they both will want the same thing.

Both fighters are convinced that come March 23, they will be leaving the ring victorious.

After the press conference Sonny flew out to the UK where he was invited to train with Tyson Fury and Joseph Parker.

Learn more about one of the most incredible success stories in NFL history: Australian Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata's journey to the NFL via rugby and the International Player Pathway Program.

Click through on the link above to watch on Youtube 

Memphis Grizzlies newest member Steven Adams joins Chris Vernon during Memphis Grizzlies Media Day to talk about the Pelicans trade for Jonas Valanciunas, address the beef with Zach Randolph in Game 6 of the 2014 Western Conference Playoffs, playing rugby in New Zealand, Aquaman comparisons, the change in the big man center role over the years spanning to his time in OKC, and more!

Philadelphia Eagles tackle Jordan Mailata has the mic for this week's edition of Audible.