Coco Talanoa — Sports / Page 1

As Oceania prepares for its first-ever professional football league, the small island of Niue will be represented by its first professional football player.

23-year-old midfielder Jaylen Rodwell has signed with New Zealand’s South Island United, making history for the island nation with a population of under 2,000 people.

“It was crazy once I found out that I was the first ever Niuean professional footballer, I didn’t think that it was true to be honest, until people confirmed that for me,” he says.

“I’m just super grateful and super proud to be the first professional and hopefully to inspire others and local guys that also live back home in Niue.”

Rodwell began his football journey at South Auckland’s Manurewa FC, before moving through several clubs around Auckland and Wellington. He also played NCAA college football at the University of Portland.

His senior career has included stints with Birkenhead United, Edgeworth Eagles in Australia, Auckland United, and now South Island United in Christchurch, part of the south island’s first professional football team.…more

Moana Pasifika kick off their 2026 Super Rugby Pacific campaign with exciting new signings and returning stars following a strong 2025 season.

All Blacks midfielder Ngani Laumape returns to Moana Pasifika after two years in Japan, coming home to represent his culture and inspire the next generation, including his sons.

Rising star Israel Leota, the 21-year-old former Brisbane Broncos player, officially switches codes to Rugby Union and joins Moana Pasifika as one of the team’s most promising young talents for 2026.

Newly appointed Moana Pasifika captain Miracle Fai’ilagi reflects on his journey to leadership and shares his excitement about leading a squad packed with experience, youth, and Pasifika pride.

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Archival Footage: Moana Pasifika

“I love Scott Barrett. He’s one of the best players in the world, but I think we need to give the captaincy to Ardie,” said Sonny Bill Williams.

"He’s our guy moving forward, just because of the mana he brings. He’s got the runs on the board, look at what he’s done with Moana this year.”

Dual code star Sonny Bill Williams has added his voice to the current All Black discussion, saying that the changes to the team shouldn’t end with the firing of coach Scott Robertson.

Iconic sports star Sonny Bill, who played 58 tests between 2010-19 including several seasons alongside both Savea and Barrett, also said that the incoming coaching group should be focused on team culture.

“This is just my honest thoughts and opinion, but I think we need a coaching group that knows how to connect before correcting. Because these players know how to play and we do have the squad,” he said.…more

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

Monday 12 January Update

Tonga rugby league star Eliesa Katoa is back on the field, but in a limited capacity, two months after being admitted to hospital with a serious head injury.

Eli Katoa's club, the Melbourne Storm, has posted video of him taking part in passing drills.

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.…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