Coco Talanoa — Sports / Page 20

"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

Kiwi-Samoan Riverdale screen star and musician KJ Apa is Moana Pasifika’s first official fan having secured the Super Rugby club’s inaugural season membership.

He prefaced the announcement on both his own and Moana Pasifika's social media channels before dropping the announcement about the inaugural season membership last night.

The US-based actor said he will be supporting Moana Pasifika from afar and hopes to head home to New Zealand to catch a game as soon as he can.

"I'm really proud of my Samoan heritage and am so excited to be supporting our Pasifika community," he said.

"I know some of the guys in the team and I'm looking forward to seeing them get out on the field and represent our people well."

A further nine Moana Pasifika season memberships are currently up for auction on Trade Me this afternoon starting at $500 - click here to bid  - and are valued at over $1000 including a Platinum season pass to home matches at Mt Smart Stadium plus Dynasty branded merchandise.…more

Ngāti Porou East Coast fans flocked to Whakarua Park in Ruatōria to catch a glimpse of legendary All Black Ma'a Nonu as they took on Buller in Week Five of the Bunnings Heartland Championship.

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Credit: Sky Sport NZ via All Blacks youtube