Coco Talanoa — Sports / Page 34

Our 3 Pacific Islands rugby teams have bowed out of the 2019 Rugby World Cup at the end of Pool Play.  

We've put together a Pacific Islands player guide so you can see which other teams have Pacific Islanders playing in them that you can now support with our island nations no longer in the playoffs mix.

We've counted 55 players of Pacific Islands heritage playing for 8 other countries so if any one of those countries win the Rugby World Cup - we've all won! 

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FIJI 

Fijians you can support in other country's teams:

AUSTRALIA 

Isi Naisarani, Samu Kerevi, Tevita Kuridrani & Marika Koroibete

ENGLAND 

Joe Cokanasiga 

FRANCE 

Virimi Vakatawa & Alivereti Raka 

JAPAN 

Michael Leitch 

NEW ZEALAND 

Sevu Reece 

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TONGA 

Tongans you can support in other countries teams:

AUSTRALIA 

Folau Fainga'a, Tolu Latu, Adam Coleman, Sekope Kepu & Taniela Tupou

ENGLAND 

Billy Vunipola & Mako Vunipola 

JAPAN 

Asaeli Ai Valu, Uve Helu, Amanaki Lelei Mafi, William Tupou, Ataata Moeakiola, Lomano Lemeki & Isileli Nakajima Vakauta

NEW ZEALAND 

Shannon Frizzell, Richie Mo'unga,  Atunaisa Moli & Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 

USA 

Paul Lasike & Olive Kilifi 

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Video above - Interview with Papali'itele Pita "Fats" Fatialofa by Asia Women's Rugby on his team's performance and women's sevens in Samoa at the Asia Pacific Women's Sevens 2013

World Rugby announced that six legends of the game in Richie McCaw (New Zealand), Shiggy Konno (Japan), Os du Randt (South Africa), Peter Fatialofa (Samoa), Graham Henry (New Zealand) and Diego Ormaechea (Uruguay) would be inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2019.

The World Rugby Hall of Fame presented by Tudor recognises those who have made an outstanding contribution to the game of rugby throughout their careers, while also demonstrating rugby's character-building values of integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline and respect.

The 2019 inductees were honoured at the World Rugby Awards in Tokyo on the 3rd November, the day following the Rugby World Cup 2019 final. The ceremony was held at The Prince Park Tower during a night dedicated to the game with important members of the rugby family.

Peter's wife Annie attended to accept the award on his behalf.…more

Catch all the highlights from the epic clashes between the NZ Barbarian Legends & Pacific Legends, the All Blacks vs Tonga & the Australian Wallabies vs Manu Samoa.

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All Blacks vs Ikale Tahi (Tonga) 

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Australian Wallabies vs Manu Samoa 

Mate Ma'a Tonga & Brisbane Broncos star Joe Ofahengaue and partner Sofi Leota share her private battle to fight breast cancer with League Life.

The original story was filmed back in 2018 when Sofi was diagnosed with Breast Cancer at the age of 23.

In this more recent interview on the Podcast 'Upfront about Breast Cancer' Sofi talks to the host about about fertility, losing your hair, connecting with other young women with breast cancer on social media and the challenges of being diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age.

Manu Samoa - once upon a time in the 90s - they were the darlings of world rugby. But since the game turned professional, the team has failed to make even the World Cup quarter finals.

Many Pacific players are turning down the chance to represent their nations to keep big money contracts in Europe, and secure their futures. Has professional rugby killed the international game for Tier 2 nations like the Samoa? And, what sacrifices do Pasifika players have to make? John Campbell is inside the Manu Samoa camp as they prepare their David vs Goliath fight of the Rugby World Cup.

Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets and Tennessee Titans center Kevin Mawae addresses fans at the 2019 NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony.

Mawae pays tribute to his family, coaches and teammates. Mawae reflects on his playing days at LSU. He thanks his former coach Herm Edwards who he is now an assistant coach for at Arizona State. Mawae thanks Bill Belichick for the way he challenged him throughout his Jets career.

Over 5,000 athletes from 24 of our Pacific Island nations gathered in Samoa for what they call the 'Olympics of the Pacific' - the Pacific Games 2019.

Check out why it's such an important Games for our Pacific Islands athletes.

Check out Hawaiian/Samoan UFC Fighter Max Holloways top finishes! 

Jerome "Max Blessed" Holloway is the #1 contender for the UFC Featherweight Championship belt after losing it to Alex Volkanovski in December last year.  In his previous title defence he broke the record for most significant strikes in one fight with 290, broke the record for landing 134 of those significant strikes in a round, and set the record for most victories in UFC featherweight history with fifteen.

He has earned nine performance bonuses over his 23 career UFC fights, holding division records for knockout wins with eight as well as the most stoppage victories with 10.

Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Legends Vai Sikahema, Reno Mahe & Ma'a Tanuvasa were in Auckland to check out some of the local Poly talent on offer and to help out at the NZ Down Under Bowl Team training.

Check out the highlights from the final day of the Pacific Games 2019 in Samoa! 

The Netball Bronze medal final between Samoa & Papua New Guinea and the Gold medal final between the Cook Islands and Tonga, both the Men's and Women's Football Gold Medal matches, the Women's Half Marathon and the Men's triathlon plus highlights from the Closing Ceremony.

Cover image - Photo Credit Pacific Games News Service:  Therese Rivers