By Taina Basiyalo 

The moment Jasmine Daunakamakama was told she could not compete at last year’s World Boxing Championships was one of the toughest of her young career.

Months of preparation ended without the Fijian even stepping into the ring after she was barred from competing because her mandatory gender eligibility test arrived late — a requirement introduced by World Boxing following the controversy surrounding the women’s competition at the Paris Olympics.

For many athletes, it would have been a crushing setback.

For Daunakamakama, it became the motivation behind her historic Commonwealth Games campaign.

Now, the 21-year-old is preparing to become the first Fijian woman to compete in boxing at the Commonwealth Games when she faces Ghana in the women’s 57kg division on Sunday.

Rather than dwelling on last year’s disappointment, Daunakamakama says the experience taught her resilience.

“I was quite emotional hearing the news because we’d trained for months, and I missed the chance to improve my world ranking. But in boxing, you’re faced with a lot of uncomfortable situations.…more

Fresh from taking on the All Blacks in the weekend, Ireland rugby star Bundee Aki returned to where his journey began, visiting his old school, Manurewa High School in South Auckland.

The surprise visit brought plenty of laughs, memories and heartfelt reunions as Bundee caught up with some of the teachers who supported him during his high school years.

Among those welcoming him back were his former Kaitiaki teacher Mr Randle, who taught him in 9RN, and his English teacher Mrs Chandra, who worked hard to keep him focused in the classroom.

The school shared that while Bundee’s international rugby career was something to celebrate, what stood out most was the person he had become.

“Still humble. Still grounded. Still proudly Samoan. Still proudly South Auckland. Still proudly repping Manurewa,” the school said.

Bundee attended Manurewa High School where he represented the school’s First XV and Samoan group before going on to represent Ireland on rugby’s biggest stages.…more

Warriors legend Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has opened up about the heartbreaking ACL injury that brought an early end to his final NRL season with the club, admitting the setback “took a toll” as he faced leaving the Warriors without the farewell he had hoped for.

The 33-year-old will depart the Warriors at the end of the season to join English Super League side Wakefield Trinity, bringing an end to one of the most decorated careers in the club’s history.

Tuivasa-Sheck announced his move in April through his brother’s YouTube channel, deliberately sharing the news hours before a match so it would not become a distraction for the team.

But just six weeks later, disaster struck.

The veteran winger ruptured the ACL in his left knee during the opening minutes of the Warriors’ 30-12 win, suffering the same injury for the second time in his career.

Tuivasa-Sheck will finish his Warriors career with 158 appearances across two stints, four Warriors Player of the Year awards and the 2018 Dally M Medal as the NRL’s best player.…more

When Kane James pulled on a Wales jersey for the first time, it was a proud moment for Welsh rugby.

But for a small Pacific nation thousands of kilometres away, it was also a moment of pride.

The 21-year-old’s first international cap carries a family story that stretches from Pembrokeshire to Niue, one of the world’s smallest and most isolated nations.

With fewer than 2,000 people living on the island and just one weekly flight connecting it to New Zealand, Niue may seem like an unlikely place to begin a rugby journey that leads to the international stage.

But for James, it is a huge part of who he is.

"It's quite an inspiring story, isn't it, really?" James told the Scrum V Podcast.

"How my parents ended up meeting each other and coming to Wales is pretty inspiring. It's such a cool heritage."

James was born in Pembrokeshire while his parents were staying with his paternal grandparents, before growing up in Cardiff and beginning his rugby journey at St Peter’s RFC.…more

Toa Samoa star Jarome Luai to join Parramatta Eels in 2027 before PNG Chiefs move

Jarome Luai's journey to the PNG Chiefs will include one final stop, with the Parramatta Eels confirming the Toa Samoa star will join the club for the 2027 NRL season before heading to Papua New Guinea for the Chiefs' inaugural campaign in 2028.

The announcement comes after the Wests Tigers confirmed Luai would leave the club at the end of the 2026 season, despite originally being contracted until the end of 2027.

It marks another major twist in one of the biggest player movements of the year. Earlier this season, Luai was unveiled as the PNG Chiefs' inaugural signing, becoming Player #001 and committing to the new franchise from 2028, with an option to remain until the end of 2030.

Instead of spending 2027 at the Tigers, the Toa Samoa playmaker will reunite with Mitchell Moses at Parramatta for a one-year stint before beginning the next chapter of his career in Papua New Guinea.…more

“He’s paved the way for the Polynesian footy players”: Daniel Tupou set to join NRL’s 300-game club

“He’s paved the way for the Polynesian footy players and playing with him has been one of the best privileges of my career.”

Those were the words of Sydney Roosters centre Billy Smith as he paid tribute to teammate Daniel Tupou, who is set to become the latest Tongan rugby league star to reach the NRL’s exclusive 300-game club.

Just two weeks after North Queensland Cowboys forward Jason Taumalolo became the second Tongan player to reach the milestone, Tupou is preparing to join him when the Roosters take on the Parramatta Eels this Saturday night at Allianz Stadium, pending a final fitness test.

The 35-year-old winger has been waiting eight weeks for his moment, after being left stranded on 299 games following a calf injury suffered during Magic Round in May.…more

When people think of Samoan athletes, sports like rugby, American football and boxing usually come to mind. Ice hockey? Not so much.

But that's exactly what makes Noa Ta'amu's achievement so special.

"It's pretty cool that I get to represent the Samoan community in hockey, but I am not the only one for sure. There are more coming up."

History has officially been made after Alofa Tunoa "Noa" Ta'amu became the first player of Samoan heritage ever selected in the NHL Draft, with the Winnipeg Jets picking the defenceman 199th overall.

It's a breakthrough moment, not just for Noa and his family, but for Samoans around the world, proving our people can make an impact in just about any sport.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, the 18-year-old has taken a unique path to professional hockey. Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing around 228 pounds, Ta'amu spent the past season with the Edmonton Oil Kings in the Western Hockey League, where he earned a reputation as a tough, physical and dependable defenceman.…more

A new inclusive rugby team based in Auckland is welcoming all players of different backgrounds, ages and sexual orientation, especially Pasifika Rainbow and Takatāpui individuals.

Te Papapa Wolves made their debut last month.

It is the second inclusive rugby team established in New Zealand, taking their place alongside the New Zealand Falcons which was established in 2013.

Photo: Susana Suisuiki

Speaking to Pacific Waves, Te Papapa Wolves co-founder Jay Fa'ata Vaeluaga said the idea of the team was inspired by past rugby players who wanted a Pacific kaupapa inclusive rugby team in New Zealand.

Approaching Auckland Rugby with the idea, Vaeluaga said he was then referred to the Te Papapa rugby club leadership and from there he was able to convince the board to create a team.

Vaeluaga said Te Papapa Wolves is a team rooted in Pacific values.

Having played for mainstream rugby teams in the past, Vaeluaga said his experiences were mostly positive, but because rugby is traditionally a "very masculine, very structured, very patriarchal" sport, he was not able to be his authentic self.…more