Coco Talanoa — Sports / Page 1

He won the World Rugby Men's Sevens Player of the Year Award at the World Rugby awards this year & he's the first Fijian player to win the award since Samisoni Viriviri in 2014.

This is the story of Jerry Tuwai who grew up in a poor shanty in Fiji playing rugby with plastic bottles. He went on to win the first Olympic medal for his country.

Fletch & Hindy interview John Hopoate & Steve Menzies and talk to them about some interesting incidents/moments in their rugby league careers.

History was made on the 18th of October when 3 Pasifika children (who are also siblings) won the NZ Chess Power Team Nationals in Christchurch with their school team.

They are the first Pasifika kids in a first placed team and in a first placed team with more than one Pasifika student that placed individually. Hunter Po'e-Tofaeono (10yrs) is the first Pasifika child to place at the 'Teams and Champions trophy' and his older sister Tyleah (11 yrs) is the first Pasifika girl to receive the Top Female Trophy.  

While both Hynter and Tyleah are now obsessed with chess, it was actually their younger sibling, Grayson (6yrs) who got them into it after announcing to his parents Zelda (Niuean/Cook Islands) and Masina (Samoan) that he'd like to join the chess club at their primary school - Hillsborough Primary School.  The Chess Club there is run by a volunteer - Mr Wayne McDougall and there can often be up to 50 - 60 kids attend on a Tuesday afternoon.…more

Rugby Sevens is a sport like no other. It the most diverse, exciting and unexpected sport on the planet. It’s players, coaches and fans have unique stories – of dedication, of hardship and of sheer ambition – that are unmatched in any other sport. In the world’s most surprising sport we tell those stories.

Ruby Tui never had anything come easy. A fractured childhood was spent between homes. She knew that her life could go down two paths, and that the wrong one could be disastrous. Rugby was the force that guided her down the right path.

She has gone on to become one of the best rugby sevens players in the world. Star of the all-conquering New Zealand Black Ferns. Her incredible dedication and hard work has taken her from early challenges to top of her sport.

All the big hits from the Tongan Invitational XIII boys wins against both the Great Britain Lions and the Australian Kangaroos.

Manu Tuilagi unleashed - international highlights 2019

“The best piece of advice I have been given is to play for your family, that’s all the motivation I need.”

England wing Joe Cokanasiga shares his rugby journey...

Joe Cokanasiga may not have made the finals squad in the England Rugby World Cup squad but he's been nominated for the 'World Rugby Break through Player of the Year Award'.   Joe is up against Herschel Jantjies from South Africa and Romain Ntamack from France.  To be eligible for this award, players must have played less than one year of senior international rugby.

The winner will be revealed at the World Rugby Awards, which take place at The Prince Park Tower in Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday. 

Hear Billy and Mako Vunipola tell their story in their own words, from watching their father play for Tonga at Rugby World Cup 1999, to family, friends and what it means to pull on the England shirt.

Rugby League Legend and NRL Hall of of Famer Ruben Wiki sits down with the 'Asking for a Mate' team and talks growing up in Otara, his work with White Ribbon as a national ambassador speaking out against family violence and his experience with it first hand, making the NRL, his rugby league journey, New Zealand league talent here and more.

He also takes questions sent through from Facebook Live, gives his iPod top 5, when he started drinking Kava and more.

Asking for a Mate (AFAM) are informative and inspiring conversations with a variety of special guests over drinks and food. Season One is brought to you in partnership with 37 Hz and @Keys Down, Real Talk a community-led drink driving reduction campaign. ⁣

Great Britain received a rude awakening on their return to international rugby league when they were beaten 14-6 in their opening tour match by a Tonga Invitational XIII in Hamilton.

After being mothballed for 12 years, the Lions returned with high hopes for their tour of New Zealand and Papua New Guinea but instead they became the latest victims of the rise of Tonga. Although a legal dispute between the old governing body and the International Rugby League meant the hosts were forced to play under an Invitational banner, the game was given full Test-match status and the near full-strength Tongans showed their brilliant 2017 World Cup exploits were no fluke.

Kristian Woolf's men beat the Kiwis on their way to the last four two years ago before pushing England all the way in a dramatic semi-final. And their display in their first meeting with Great Britain proved beyond doubt they are worthy of tier one status.…more