Coco Talanoa — Sports / Page 4

Last month, The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced its inductees for the Class of 2024 - Reno Mahe, Domata Peko and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson.

The inductees were selected from over 100 nominees by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame selection committee including Jack Thompson (chairman), Kevin Mawae, NFL network reporter Steve Wyche and more.  All living Polynesian Football Hall of Fame inductees also cast a vote.

"These men represent the very best of our Polynesian people and we look forward to celebrating this recognition with their families in January" said co-founder Seiuli Jesse Sapolu.…more

On Saturday the 24th November, Former All Black and rugby legend Savae Sir Michael Jones announced the establishment of the Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame at a small gathering in the Pacific Media Network's Wav Room.

The establishment of the Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame will provide a global platform to honour, recognise and celebrate the contribution of the Pacific’s rugby heroes, past and present; empower and lift our Pacific communities through the power of rugby as well as inspire the next generation of Pasifika rugby heroes and influencers to excel, lead and serve.

The movement will celebrate, connect and champion Pacific rugby players and their collective hopes and aspirations.…more

On Friday the 24th of November, New Zealand rugby together with the Tausoa Fa'atasi Pasifika Advisory Group* launched the 2024 - 2029 Pasifika Strategy - a historic moment for the Pasifika rugby communities.

Their vision:  To enable, embrace and empower positive outcomes and experiences for Pasifika at all levels of rugby.

It is the first time New Zealand rugby has put in place a dedicated plan to create more equitable opportunities for Pasifika within rugby.  

The organisation acknowledged that Pasifika have made an immense contribution to rugby in New Zealand, particularly on the field but that the under representation of Pasifika in off-field roles was a significant focus for the Pasifika strategy.…more

The 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands are currently in full swing with 24 Pacific Island & Oceania nations competing.

For many of the athletes, the Pacific Games gives them not only valuable experience and competition but a chance to qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris next year.

We talk to four boxers based in New Zealand who are in the Solomon Islands to represent their heritage and home islands of Niue, Samoa and Tonga.  They share with us the preparation and training that has gone into qualifying for the games, why it's special for them to be able to represent their island nations, what they've done to prepare for the Solomon Islands heat and more.…more

New Zealand athlete Jordan Evans-Tobata is set for an emotional reunion with her father when she competes for her country at the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands.

The Dunedin-based athlete has a busy schedule of four events on her schedule – 400m, 800m, 4x100m and 4x400m relay – during the five-day track programme which runs from 27 November- 1 December in Honiara.

Besides the pride the 19-year-old University of Otago student will feel when making her international debut, Jordan will also have the joy of seeing her Solomon Islands based father, Walebarasialia (Wale), for the first time in nine years.

“As soon as I found out the event was in the Solomon Islands I expressed an interest in competing and I was delighted when I was selected,’ said Jordan.…more

Toa Samoa played the NZ Kiwis for the first time at Eden Park in the inaugural Pacific Championships competition on Saturday the 21st October 2023.

You'd be forgiven for thinking it was a Samoan home game with the number of Samoan supporters who showed up and out for Toa Samoa ... atmosphere was off the chain.

Despite the score, the crowd stayed hyped to the very end with the stadium breaking out into a rousing rendition of the classic Tiama'a hit 'Taute' as the game finished. 

The boys showed their appreciation staying for well over an hour taking photos and signing autographs for fans.

We caught up with a couple of the boys including Toa Samoa captain Junior Paulo & former Toa Samoa captain Nigel Vagana.

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Check out the emotional anthems and siva tau/haka in the video below - 

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Shot and edited by Penina Momoiseā

Additional clips of the Samoan national anthem by Samuel Tanielu and Taute by Chris Sila 

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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air

The Coconet TV's Destiny Momoiseā takes a tour around the Toa Samoa team camp ahead of their Pacific Championship game against the Kiwis at Eden Park 🏉

The boys talk about the love they've received from fans, game day preparation, pre-game playlists and who got jokes 😂

Featuring Spencer Leniu, Keenan Palasia, Daejarn Asi & Toa Samoa Head Coach Ben Gardiner.

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Credits:

Camera - Penina Momoiseā 
Presenter - Destiny Momoiseā
Editor - Sefa Taouma

Additional Photography - Geoffery Mata'utia

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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air 

By James Nokise

“I think it will be a very good game because both teams, they know, if something happens today then you’re going home tomorrow.”

These were the prophetic words of the living legend that is Waisale Serevi, on the streets of Marseilles before the epic quarterfinal between Fiji and England. Because of his status within the Fijian and wider Pacific community, it can be easy to forget how popular he is in the Northern hemisphere.

The man known as “The Wizard”, though, is busy before the match outside the stadium taking constant photo’s with European fans.

“I believe the boys are ready. They didn’t play well the last two games. It’s over, they’ve learned from that.”

In some ways he was right. Fiji fell behind in the first half with some sloppy play, and went to the break trailing 21-10.

However, they fought back hard to have things tied at 24-24 with 10mins left in the match.…more

By Loveni Enari 

The Flying Fijians have been rocked by familial tragedies during the Rugby World Cup but feel the sadness has brought them closer together and will give them ammunition to beat England in their quarter final match at 4am Monday morning (16th October 23) 

The first of the tragedies came when Josua Tuisova missed the funeral of his seven year old son after a long battle with illness. Just days before their rendezvous at Marseille with les Ros Bifs, hooker Sam Matavesi has returned to England after the death of his father.

Matavesi’s father Sireli Matavesi was a former test player and had been wheelchair-bound after surgery some years ago. His son has been enjoying a rich vein of form and after he returned to Fiji for a brief visit home for the funeral, he returned to Marseille on Friday.…more

Tonga's Ikale Tahi and The Flying Fijians played the final two matches of the 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool Games, with favourable results for both teams.

Tonga finished their Rugby World Cup 2023 campaign on a high with an entertaining 45-24 Pool B victory over Romania in front of 45,000 fans at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille.

The Ikale Tahi swept into a 21-3 lead after winger Solomone Kata collected an offload from Salesi Piutau for the opening try, ex-All Blacks centre George Moala went over and winger Afusipa Taumoepeau added a third after Alin Conache’s penalty for Romania.

Tonga captain Sonatane Takulua admitted the players wanted to get the win for their head coach Toutai Kefu, who is leaving the role.…more