Coco Talanoa — Sports / Page 1

We head to Otahuhu Memorial Grounds and check out Tahiti’s first-ever international outing at the Moana Pasifika 7s Cup 2025 in Tamaki Maukaurau! 🇵🇫🔥

On 13 December, Moana Pasifika hosted its biggest community tournament yet at Otahuhu College, and for the first time two teams from Tahiti travelled outside their homeland to compete against Pacific youth sides from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Niue, and the Cook Islands 🏉🌺

In a major achievement for Pacific rugby, Fijian rugby star Bitila Tawake has been named the first female player representative from Fiji on the board of the Pacific Rugby Players (PRP). This union represents professional rugby talent throughout the region.

The announcement shows a positive change toward involving women and improving representation in rugby governance in the Pacific, a region known for its love of the sport and its development of top players.

Tawake’s appointment is a shift from elite athlete to influential leader. As a two-time Super W champion with the Fijiana Drua in Australia’s top women’s competition, she also represented Fiji at the 2021 Rugby World Cup.

Her on-field career has long been marked by both performance and leadership. Tawake captained Fiji at the 2022 Oceania Championship, guiding the team through a strong campaign, which included a decisive win over Papua New Guinea and a solid performance against Tonga.…more

The Pacific is rallying around Katoa, who has undergone brain surgery and will miss the 2026 NRL season.

The Moana rugby community is sending prayers and support to Eliesa Katoa, the 25-year-old Mate Ma’a Tonga forward who underwent brain surgery after sustaining multiple blows to the head during Tonga’s match against the Kiwis in the Pacific Championships on November 2nd.

While Katoa recovers and focuses on his long-term health, the NRL has launched serious disciplinary action against members of Tonga’s medical and training staff — a move that could see three team staff banned from NRL and ARLC competitions for two years.

The NRL Investigation has raised “Serious Concerns” about player safety.

Following the incident, the NRL reported that it had uncovered “serious concerns regarding possible breaches of NRL rules and protocols” in how Katoa was assessed and treated.…more

In just two months, powerhouse rookie prop Ivana Lauitiiti has achieved what many dream of across an entire career: an NRLW debut, Rookie of the year, Tackle of the year at 2025 Dally M’s and now a place in the Kiwi Ferns squad.

For the 19-year-old, pulling on the black and white jersey is more than a career milestone. It’s a dream that began on the fields of South Auckland, where she first fell in love with rugby league.

“Coming from grassroots footy here in New Zealand, I always dreamed of playing in the black and white jersey,” Ivana said. “To be selected in the squad is a blessing, and I’m grateful not just for myself but for everyone who’s supported me along the way.”

In just 24 minutes on debut, she ran for over 100 metres, made nine tackles, and delivered a brutal hit that had rugby league fans buzzing.…more

Samoa Makes History!

"Lets go! Oh my God!" — the cry of discus thrower Alex Rose as he carved his name into Samoa’s history books with a bronze medal at the World Athletics Championships on Sunday, 21 September.

For the first time ever, Samoa stood on the podium at the World Athletics Championships.

Rose, 33, born in Michigan but proudly carrying the Samoan flag of his father’s homeland for more than 13 years, has battled for this moment across seven World Championships. From Moscow 2013 to now, he has worn Samoa’s colours with pride. His best finish before today was eighth in 2022 — until he finally smashed through with this breakthrough medal.

Even heavy rain couldn’t wash away destiny. The competition was suspended for hours, the throwing circle slick and dangerous. But when it mattered, Rose delivered — launching his discus 66.96m in round five, soaring into third place.

The final drama? Australian Matthew Denny was the only man left who could push him off the podium. But Denny fouled, and instead walked over to congratulate Rose.…more

A new documentary is coming to our screens this September, shining a light on one of New Zealand’s most influential figures in combat sports. Lolo: The Champion Maker tells the story of Lolo Heimuli, a fighter turned trainer who built a gym out of a church storage room and went on to produce world champions like Ray Sefo, Mark Hunt, Shane Cameron, and even mentor future coaching great Eugene Bareman.

He might not be a household name, but in fight circles Lolo is legendary. Known as the “champion maker”, he is a man of faith and discipline whose humble beginnings shaped a legacy that still echoes through New Zealand’s fight scene today.

For director Jeremiah Tauamiti, this was a story that had to be told.

“It was really important for me to make this documentary because Lolo is of a generation that we're doing things for the first time. They were truly breaking barriers and those kind of stories have always inspired me,” Tauamiti says.…more

Fiji have done the job against Samoa, winning 29-15 at Rotorua, and in doing so, they’ve handed Tonga a golden ticket to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Tonga had already put themselves on the road to glory with a 30-16 win over Samoa in Nuku’alofa a few weeks ago, so both Pacific powerhouses are now officially booked for the big stage.

That makes Tonga the 19th team to punch their tickets and marks their 10th World Cup appearance, with plenty of history behind them and plenty of ambition to make some new records in Australia.

The Pacific Nations Cup has once again shown its worth, serving as a high-stakes proving ground for teams chasing World Cup dreams. Fiji might have had to dig deep to get past a physical Manu Samoa side, but they came through with grit, discipline, and some big plays in the second half. Tonga, meanwhile, has looked solid from the start, proving they can handle the pressure when it matters most.…more

On Sunday 17th at The Trusts Arena, three grand finals were fought and three trophies returned home to South Auckland.

The Ōtāhuhu Leopards, Papakura Sea Eagles and Ōtara Scorpions all rose to the occasion, pulling off a clean sweep that underlined what the south has long known: its players, its clubs, and its communities are the heart of Auckland rugby league.

Leopards end 15-year wait

The Fox Memorial Premiership final was a battle of inches. Ōtāhuhu edged Mt Albert 8–4, a low-scoring grind that felt like it was being played on history itself. Fifteen years had passed since the Leopards last held the shield aloft, but on Sunday, the drought finally broke.

For captain Jamel Hunt, the victory wasn’t just a trophy, it was the culmination of a lifetime in league boots.

“Most of our 2025 team is made up of Otahuhu juniors who dreamed of one day bringing a chip back to our club,” Hunt said. “From looking forward to halftime oranges at Murphy Park, to lifting the Fox shield with my brothers.…more

The worlds largest vaka race sees Pasifika teams from across the Moana training for months to compete, including a group of students from Auckland University about to take on the pros!

“This isn’t just a trip, it’s a blessing. It’s a chance for students, many from small towns, to show what’s possible when you follow a passion. It’s about discovering your limits and then going a little further, learning to communicate, to lead, and to steady your mind when things get cloudy”

“To me, it’s about elevating students who might not see themselves as we do - brilliant students and exceptional leaders. It’s about giving those who never dreamed of this experience a taste of what they can achieve if they stay committed and focused, because there’s nothing I love more than seeing our Māori and Pasifika students win.” - 'Waipapa Taumata Rau' team manager Alaimalo Mataafa. 

Before sunrise, Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland’s mixed-faculty waka ama crew, is already on the water, building rhythm for Kona, Hawai'i.…more

Brisbane Broncos front-rower Payne Haas has officially pledged his allegiance to Toa Samoa, delivering a major boost to the Pacific nation ahead of the 2025 Pacific Championships and the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.

Haas, widely regarded as the best prop in rugby league, described the decision as deeply personal and long overdue.

“There was a moment when I played for Australia, when we versed Samoa in Townsville. The anthems were playing, and my mind raced back to lots of memories with my mum and making us sing the national anthem of Samoa in the back of the car,”

He said. “I think from that moment onwards I wanted to play for Samoa and represent my mum's side, the Taufua side, and really make them proud, and my grandparents as well.”

The 25-year-old has played four Tests for Australia and is a New South Wales Blues mainstay, but says the time is right to wear the Samoan jersey.…more