Coco Talanoa — Sports / Page 46

The BNZ Crusaders have confirmed former Wallaby, Digby Ioane, has signed a 2 year contract with them & moves to join the squad next year.

Ioane who is of Samoan descent currently plays for the Honda Heat in the Japanese Top League.  He has previously played for the Western Force & Queensland Reds in Australia and represented Australia playing for the Wallabys between 2007 - 2013.  He then moved to Paris where he was signed to Stade Francais in the French domestic competition.

Ioane stated earlier about his signing “I have had a great time playing in France and Japan, but the opportunity to be part of a New Zealand Super Rugby team is too good to pass up.  I love the intensity and tempo of Super Rugby and the New Zealand teams are leading the charge in that respect at the moment, so I can’t wait to be a part of that.…more

The Samoan boxer and manditory IBF heavyweight title challenger, Joseph Parker, has taken a special moment, just before tonight's fight against Solomon Hauomona, to give a shout out to all of his Poly fans on The Coconet.tv

22 year old Winston Hill is getting ready to represent Fiji at the Olympic Games in Rio in a couple of weeks.

The Fiji/Rotuma Island boxer has been fighting for the last 3 years and makes history as one of only 2 boxers in the Pacific Islands representing their countries in boxing at the Olympics this year.  It will also be the first time in 28 years that Fiji has had a boxer fight at the Olympics and only the 6th Fijian boxer ever to make the cut!

Winston has been training in Suva at Suva Boxing and Fitness Centre which his coach Napolean Taumoepeau owns and runs.  US born Taumoepeau is half Tongan & fought as an amateur for 10 years in the States before going professional and moved to Fiji with his wife (who is from Fiji) in 2011.  His last fight was in September but he's put his own career on hold to concentrate on helping Winston get to the Olympics.…more

World Wrestling Entertainment Inc was sued on Monday by former Fijian WWE star Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka and dozens of other retired male and female wrestlers seeking to hold it responsible for neurological injuries they claimed to suffer by participating in its bouts.

The complaint was filed on behalf of more than 50 plaintiffs who have performed with WWE or its predecessors since the 1970s, including Joseph "Road Warrior Animal" Laurinaitis and Paul "Mr. Wonderful" Orndorff.

It accused Stamford, Connecticut-based WWE and Chairman Vince McMahon of intentionally classifying wrestlers as "independent contractors" rather than employees, as a means to avoid liability under applicable worker protection laws.

"WWE placed corporate gain over its wrestlers' health, safety, and financial security, choosing to leave the plaintiffs severely injured and with no recourse to treat their damaged minds and bodies," the complaint said.

The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, as well as improved medical monitoring.…more

At 11-years-old, not many can boast of a number 2 world ranking in anything - except Samoan-Tokelauan “Rhyme the Rage” Loto.

With 32 amateur fights under his belt, he’s one of the most experienced fighters in the New Zealand Black Gloves team who are off to compete in the 2016 World Youth Muaythai Championships, next month in Thailand.

Around this time last year he picked up the Silver Medal at the 2015 World Championships after a last minute gruelling shredding journey to qualify for the 42kg division.

“I’m going to go back and get Gold this time.” said Rhyme, quiet but confident.

A very calm response after his father (also his trainer) explained the intense shredding regime which Rhyme had to go through, after finding out his 45kg division class had been cancelled when he arrived in Thailand to compete last year.

With Rhyme weighing in at 46kg upon arrival, Ermehn Loto said they had no choice but to go up or down to the next divisions.…more

Mark Hunt wants some answers ... or else.

Upon hearing the news that Brock Lesnar, who defeated Hunt via unanimous decision at UFC 200 last week, had been notified by USADA of a potential anti-doping violation, stemming from a failure of an out-of-competition drug test on June 28, Hunt asked UFC officials for half of Lesnar's purse or else he would like to be released from his contract effective immediately. Hunt said the UFC has not yet responded to his request.

"The cheaters get a slap on the wrist and walk off," Hunt told MMA Fighting. "What penalty or deterrent is there to make them think twice? Nothing. And the [Nevada Athletic Commission], why should these [expletive] get anything? They are not the ones who had to fight with Lesnar or lose [to him].…more

The Miami Heat are finalizing a flurry of weekend moves to restock the roster in the stinging aftermath of franchise icon Dwyane Wade's free-agency departure to the Chicago Bulls.

The Heat on Sunday reached a deal to re-sign veteran forward Udonis Haslem, according to a league source, and announced the signings of shooting guard Wayne Ellington and forward James Johnson.

James Johnson is of African-American and Samoan decent, joining the likes of Steven Adams as the growing number of poly players in the NBA.

James Johnson was the starting power forward for the Demon Deacons of Wake Forest University from 2007 to 2009. He was drafted 16th overall in the 2009 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls. Since then Johnson has gained experience in playing with the Raptors, Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies and back again with the Toronto Raptors before being signed by the Heat.

NBA isnt the only sport Johnson shines in, he holds a second-degree black belt and fought in his first mixed martial arts bout at aged 18.…more

Jarryd Hayne's Rio adventure has ended after he was told he would not be selected in the Fijian sevens squad.

Hayne quit the NFL to pursue rugby sevens, but announced on Facebook that during a meeting with Fijian coach Ben Ryan last week he had been informed he not made the cut.

“Last Friday I had a meeting with Ben to discuss my future with the team and I was informed that my time has ended. As much as I would have loved to go to Rio, I too knew I wasn’t ready yet. During my time with the team, I pushed my body above and beyond. I used all my experience as a professional athlete and have tried everyday and in every way possible to make this team and make it better but unfortunately, time has been against me,” Hayne said via Facebook.

Hayne shocked the sporting world on May 16 when he announced he was retiring from the NFL to chase Olympic glory with the Fiji rugby sevens team.…more

“Ah, schucks,’’ he grins. “I’m sitting here in this Las Vegas mansion, watching gardeners work in my backyard.

“It’s incredible. And why nothing in life surprises me anymore.

“I’m just waiting now for a pink elephant to fly overhead.”

Indeed, who can blame him?

Unsigned even to fight four weeks ago, Hunt is suddenly three days off the most hyped bout in UFC history - facing WWE megastar Brock Lesnar here in Las Vegas at UFC 200.

Already, the stacked card is being billed as the biggest of all time.

With Lesnar and Hunt the undeniable feature.

Which is why, to help the Sydney slugger through his preparations, UFC president Dana White has secretly gifted Team Hunt the lease on a private $5 million mansion.…more

Tongan Born New Zealander Nailini Helu has won her second professional bout, winning against Sarah Long by unanimous decision.

Source: NZ Fighter

The 22 year old is currently ranked 10th in the world by independant boxing records keeping and computerized rankings system boxrec. Helu is also ranked 10th currently in the UBF.

Helu is the older sister to Professional boxer Panuve Helu who just recently came off a win against Tauranga Resident Jonathan Taylor. Panuve is scheduled to fight Fili Mailata in August in a rematch after a controversial draw and again in september against an opponent that is still to be announced.

Both Nailini and Panuve born in Tonga and residing in Auckland, New Zealand are Tonga's biggest boxing prospects, showing massive amount of potential.

Nailini has an incredible amateur career, winning three New Zealand National Championships in 2012, 2014 and 2015 and also reaching the semifinals in 2013.

Nailini debut as a pro in April this year on the Kali Reis vs Maricela Cornejo WBC World title undercard in Auckland, New Zealand.…more