Coco Talanoa — Sports / Page 19

UPDATE:  Toa Samoa, Kiwis & NRL legend Frank Pritchard has returned home after being in a coma after reportedly being on life support on New Years Eve due to complications from Covid-19.

Prtichard posted on social media saying he was now recovering at home.

Channel Nine had reported Pritchard on life support with a collapsed lung among other health issues due to the virus and The Daily Telegraph had also reported Pritchard had been in the ICU at Liverpool Hospital and has had an ongoing problem with asthma issues.

General Manager of Football for the Canterbury Bulldogs, Phil "Gus" Gould confirmed the news tweeting his well wishes to Frank last night.

Canterbury Bulldogs fan page Bulldogs 4 Life also sent out a prayer request with details of a prayer meeting taking place this evening at 8pm Sydney time over zoom with his family.…more

All-Access look into Penei Sewell's Draft Day experience as he shares his inspiring story from growing up in American Samoa to becoming the 7th overall pick to the Detroit Lions in the 2021 NFL Draft.

See exclusive footage the moment he receives the call that changes his family's life forever and witness the emotional moment he tells Detroit Lions coaches ... "You Won't Regret It!"

"Growing up there was always that stigma that we didn't really talk about our feelings, we weren't as open and ...…more

Actor Will Smith tries training with Miami Dolphins Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (Samoan) and his Strength and Conditioning coach Dave Puloka (Tongan).

They start out with a bit of cermonial kava, before getting into some exercises and field work.

via Radio New Zealand 

Black Ferns hooker Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate says she had a breakdown on tour and disparaging comments from coaching staff led to anxiety and hyperventilation.

Northland player Ngata-Aerengamate posted on social media that she had a "mental breakdown" on the team's end of year tour to England and France.

The Black Ferns lost all four games on tour.

Ngata-Aerengamate, of Cook Island Māori and Ngāti Porou, said she struggled to decide whether to speak up or not.

She posted on instagram below:

New Zealand Rugby's head of professional rugby Chris Lendrum said the allegations are concerning and they are taking the matter seriously.

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Women in Sport Aotearoa chief executive Rachel Froggatt says Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate is not alone in experiencing bullying and mental health issues on her team.

Froggatt spoke to Susie Ferguson on Radio New Zealand - click here to listen to the interview 

Women in Rugby Aotearoa also released this statement below in support of Te Kura and anyone else who may have experienced the same issues.…more

The highly-anticipated Barbarians versus Samoa match at Twickenham was cancelled shortly before kick-off after several members of the Barbarians tested positive for COVID-19.

It was a gut wrenching end for the Samoan players in particular who formed a playing squad without coaches and players from the Southern hemisphere due to Covid restrictions.  The game was to be the only autumn match and for some their last international match.

Watch the boys perform the national anthem and siva tau & the BBC interviews an emotional Joe Tekori after what would have been his retirement match.

via Moana Pasifika Rugby 

Moana Pasifika and apparel partner Dynasty have unveiled a stunning and special first Super Rugby jersey.
 
When the team takes to the field to open the 2022 season of Super Rugby Pacific on Friday 18 February at Mt Smart stadium, they will be competing in a uniquely designed home jersey that proudly represents the combined cultures and traditions of the Pacific Islands.

Fans who had signed up for Moana Pasifika memberships, and sponsors and stakeholders, were able to get a first look at Moana Pasifika’s home jersey at the official reveal event (Sunday evening 21 November) with Head Coach Aaron Mauger and Moana Pasifika players.
 
Patron Sir Bryan Williams said it was a special moment to imagine the team running out in the new jersey. “When I see the boys run out for that first time, it’s going to be very emotional, certainly for me and many others. It’s been quite a long journey. Moana Pasifika is so important for our community because it represents our hopes and dreams for the future.…more

Debutant Super Rugby team Moana Pasifika will kick off the new Super Rugby Pacific 2022 competition on the 18th of February in a home-game against the Brumbies in what promises to be a wonderful celebration of music, colour and Pasifika culture at Mt Smart Stadium.  

The new Super Rugby team has unveiled its match schedule for the season following New Zealand Rugby’s confirmation of the draw 
 
In acknowledging the importance of their team for the Pasifika community, Moana Pasifika has paid tribute to all Pasifika essential and frontline workers – some of whom helped the team to announce their draw for next season (Video above) 

Moana Pasifika, coached by Aaron Mauger, will play 14 games, five of them at home at Mt Smart Stadium.  The Moana men will hit the road quickly after Round 1 as all teams head to Melbourne for a huge Super Round in Melbourne in Round 2.…more

* PG recommended - coarse language 

On this Ice Project with (Isaac Johns) episode with Andrew Fifita, he opens up about his near death experience, continued struggles with mental health, Mate Ma’a Tonga and how he was robbed of a Clive Churchill 👀😂

Via Champions of the Pacific 

Link to listen to full audio interview here 

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Ray "Sugarfoot" Sefo was five years old when he was gifted his first pair of boxing gloves. 

Sparring was adopted almost immediately with other family members, but it was a movie night at the Sefo's home in Kingsland that saw him fall in love with mixed martial arts. 

"I remember at the age of seven I think it was, my dad had rented a Bruce Lee movie and a Jackie Chan movie, one was Fist Of Fury and the Jackie Chan movie was Drunken Master," he recalled. 

"I was so fascinated by what was happening you know: they were able to use their bodies, their legs, their elbows, their head - like everything just looked so coordinated and being a seven year old it just blew my mind."

Inspired to learn Wing Chun, Sefo was 12-years-old and delivering milk to pay for lessons.…more