Coco Talanoa — Sports / Page 54
Jarryd Hayne training session!
Check out the first footage of Hayne working out with the 49ers!
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick - who also worked out with Hayne at a private facility during pre-season - called the NRL ace a “phenomenal athlete” and said he had all the tools to make it in American football.
Hayne has 125 days to prepare for what would be his first taste of American professional football if he makes San Francisco's 53-man roster when it's announced in August.
Troy Polamalu retires after 12 NFL Seasons
As one of the most popular and highly paid players for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Polmalu is leaving to focus on his most important achievement - his family.
"Thank God football has provided me the ability to be able to sit back and see what the options are. But I'll definitely be the best father I can possibly be."
Born in the US, Polamalu is most famous for his amazing head of hair that was used to sell shampoo, as well as being awarded the 2010 defensive player of the year.
We wish the uso all the best for his future endeavours!
Tonga's first All Black
Did you know that the first Tongan All Black was Walter Batty?
Born in Tonga in 1905 to an English father and Tongan mother, Walter donned the black jersey 92 years ago in 1928.
He played as a loose forward, and was part of the team that took on the British and Irish Lions during their New Zealand Tour in 1930. Batty was also an Insurance Agent by profession, and joined the Royal New Zealand Artillery as a sargeant during the Second World War - where he won the Distinguished Conduct Medal after holding off an attack by Italian tanks until his unit could be reinforced. Singlehandedly. How's THAT for Tongan Power!
Read more on Walter Batty here!
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Here are all the Tongans who have rocked the All Blacks Jersey:
ARTHUR JENNINGS
Played for the All Blacks in 1967
He was also the first Fijian to play for the All Blacks (he is of Fijian & Tongan heritage) and is the uncle of current Mate Ma'a Tonga representatives Michael and his brother Robert.…more
Junior Seau - Pro Football Hall of Fame
The late Junior Seau will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
"One by one, the newest members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame stepped onto the stage as their names were called. When the eighth man elected Saturday, the late Junior Seau, was announced, his two sons stood with the group."
Photo Cred: Samoa Observer
Seau retired from pro football after the 2009 season. A standout on San Diego's only Super Bowl team, he was later inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame and the team retired his number 55. Seau committed suicide with a gunshot wound to the chest in 2012 at the age of 43. Later studies by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) concluded that Seau suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a type of chronic brain damage that has also been found in other deceased former NFL players.
Your legacy lives on! Malo Lava Junior!
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Sonny Bill Williams vs Chauncey Welliver
Check out the highlights from SBW's fight with Chauncey Welliver at the NRL Footy Show Fight Night in Sydney last night!
Showing impressive boxing form against his American opponent, the all-rounder outclassed Welliver in eight rounds to win the match by unanimous decision!
Super-Bowl first timer Sealver Siliga
Repping it for our Poly's, Sealver Siliga will be taking to the field for his first Super Bowl for the New England Patriots!
The Utah-native is the first player from his high-school to be drafted into the NFL, and says he is always proud of where he's come from. Go Sealver!
Check out his full story here!
Don't forget the lyrics!
When the Samoan Netball Team lined up to play against NZ's Silver Ferns this week in Fiji for the Oceania Netball Tri Series, this was probably the last thing they thought would happen!
But 10 points to Epeli for carrying on... and minus 10 points for the phone.
David Tua's Best Knockouts
Check out this awesome tribute to David 'The Tuaminator' Tua!
With an awesome career spanning over 20 years, 43 out of 52 wins by Knockout and a devastating left-hook, it's easy to see how this powerhouse became a household name!
Here's just a few of his heaviest hits, and how he became O for Owesome!
In September 2019 he was announced as a National Boxing Hall of Fame inductee for 2020 and on January the 8th 2022 he was inducted into the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame - Class of 2022
On Sunday 24th April To'aletai David Tua will be officially inducted into the National Boxing Hall of Fame alongside the 2021 and 2022 classes in Los Angeles. Due to Covid the 2020 and 2021 classes did not hold ceremonies.
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SUGGESTED LINKS
Check out fellow Samoan Alesana Tuilagi - the Samoan Bulldozer!
Pasefika Aotearoa Cup
Polynesian women of all ages were out in force last weekend for the inaugural Pasifika Aotearoa Rugby 7s cup showing the guys a thing or two with their rugby skills.
The tournament held 66 games throughout the day with Auckland representative teams for Samoa, Tonga, Fiji & the Cook Islands amongst the 27 teams competing.
A few well known Black Ferns were also playing and it was great to see them out supporting Grass Roots rugby in teams where some of the girls were playing for the first time.
Vania Wolfgramm (Womens Rugby Development officer) said they hoped the tournament would provide more playing opportunities for females to play rugby & to build stronger relationships within the Pacific & Maori communities.
Winners of the Pasifika Aotearoa Cup 7s:
Tight 5 – Dubs Fast Crew (Waikato)
Under 15 – Auckland Tonga
Under 19 – Waiariki Bay of Plenty
Open Womens – Tainui Waka
Photo Cred: Penina Joy Photography
Sevens in Heaven - Rarotonga
Check out some of the highlights from this year's "Sevens in Heaven" all the way from the beautiful Cook Islands!
Big ups to all of the teams that competed this year, and special congrats to the Teimurimotia Stallions who took it out!
SUGGESTED LINKS
Learn how to tie a Pareu
Get some Cook Island Travel Tips for when you go over for next year's Sevens!