Shows / Nesian Footy
Nesian Footy
Bringing you the Pacific Islander stories on and off the Rugby League and Rugby Union field.
Episodes
- Nesian Footy
Sam the Fijian ham
Today's culture shock sees Sam unwittingly pick up a new Fijian nickname and the boys are questioning Sefa's professor credentials with his latest trivia…
- Nesian Footy
Patrick Pellegrini's Ikale Tahi jersey took serious persistence
From playing on paddocks in the UK to playing in the Pacific for Tonga, Patrick Pellegrini quite literally took the scenic route to achieving one of his…
- Nesian Footy
NRLW has arrived and Fiji on fire in Olympic Sevens
The NRLW has arrived and Sala Togatuki looks at the first game between the Knights and Roosters and the rest of the round, including her first match which…
- Nesian Footy
Siliva Havili was busking with Mate Ma'a Tonga to fund trips
Siliva Havili has seen big changes in his decade long career representing Mate Ma'a Tonga but no matter the challenges, the feeling of running out to the sea…
- Nesian Footy
Origin, origin and more origin
Tinirau is still smiling after Wednesday night's Origin decider so we go into the biggest moments, what's happened since and the Nesian stars that had their…
- Nesian Footy
Tash Penitani's life changing Tongan footy experience
Natasha Penitani connected with her Tongan culture on a whole new level when she played for the Mate Ma'a Tonga and convinced her sister Tiana that she should…
- Nesian Footy
Coconut crabs and NRLW inspirations
As usual on Friday there's a jam packed weekend ahead that Sam & Tinirau run through with the help of Sala Togatuki and Toutai Kefu. Sala has her only…
- Nesian Footy
It took 8 years but Reuben Porter just made his NRL debut
Not many players get their first crack in the big time at age 27, but Cook Islander Reuben Porter just debuted with Wests Tigers after nearly giving up on his…
- Nesian Footy
International rugby season has arrived!
Sam's like a kid in a candy store with International rugby well and truly arriving this weekend. Fiji and Samoa are playing, Tonga are up next and Australia…
- Nesian Footy
Donny Singe: Bringing out the best in Pasifika footy players
After battling post-Marshall Islands travel sickness, Sammy makes a triumphant return to the studio with Tinirau and he doesn't come back empty-handed. Shellie…
- Nesian Footy
State of Origin heartbreak and joy
State of Origin season is in full throttle and we discuss the agony and ecstasy of the 2nd game for the men and decider for the women, plus Toutai Kefu helps…
- Nesian Footy
Pepesana Patafilo's cultural confidence has grown after joining Moana Pasifika
After playing with the Hurricanes and Crusaders, Pepesana Patafilo has felt a stronger connection and confidence in his Samoan culture since arriving at Moana…
- Nesian Footy
Tuvalu airport hangs and the Super Rugby final
It's a bumper episode with a live cross to Sam Wykes in the Marshall Islands, we welcome Tuvalu to the Nesian Footy fold, preview the Super Rugby final with…
- Nesian Footy
Evania Pelite knew true cultural acceptance after switching footy codes
Evania Pelite was a gold medal winning Rugby Sevens player but when she dropped everything to join the Warriors for one season of NRLW, the level of cultural…
- Nesian Footy
Super Rugby semis and NRLW preseason
It's the pointy end of the Super Rugby season and Sam & Toutai dive into the key points that might decide both the semi finals while Tinirau and Sala chat…
- Nesian Footy
The bluest of blues and Fijian cannibalism
It's a rough time to be a NSW Blues supporter but Tinirau fronts up and ropes in Sera Naiqama while Sam is on another one of his business trips. We talk…
- Nesian Footy
Spoilt for choice: Will Shalom Sauaso pick Rugby League or Union?
Freshly turned 17-year-old Samoan superstar, Shalom Sauaso talks us through her rugby league and union achievements and which code she's leaning towards in her…
- Nesian Footy
Bye Melbourne Rebels and hello Origin season
There's plenty on the plate with the Melbourne Rebels and a bunch of Pasifika players told they won't feature in Super Rugby in 2025 plus Men's and Women's…
- Nesian Footy
Josh Papali'i on QLD Origin, Toa Samoa and Raiders legacy
There's not much Josh Papali'i hasn't done in Rugby League and we learn that Origin games were the "toughest" of his career, why representing Toa Samoa hit…
- Nesian Footy
Sala's Origin reflection and Toutai's Waratahs shutdown
We get a hold of Sala Togatuki this week and she talks about her gratitude for getting back in the sky blue jersey and how the NSW team celebrated their big…
- Nesian Footy
Rugby icon Sir Michael Jones on the importance of being yourself
Samoa and NZ rugby trailblazer Sir Michael Jones continues to change the game for Pasifika athletes and we hear his wisdom on representation, celebration and…
- Nesian Footy
Sefa's pineapple delight and Sala ghosts us
Fresh off her win in game 1 of the women's State of Origin, Sala Togatuki let's us go to voicemail. Never mind though as Sefa Paulo is here to dive into the…
- Nesian Footy
Vani Arei is levelling the rugby playing field for Fijian women
Having made the last three Super W finals with limited prep time and budget, Drua player Vani Arei is proof that Fiji punch above their weight in women's…
- Nesian Footy
Bat soup and inside NSW Origin camp
It's a mouth watering episode in more ways than one as Nesian Footy all star Sala Togatuki takes us inside the NSW State of Origin camp ahead of game 1 next…
- Nesian Footy
Monalisa Soliola is one of 13 at home and on the footy field
Living in a house of 13, Samoan NRLW Raiders player Monalisa Soliola tells her story going from a dodgy discus dream to State of Origin. It's a cracker chat…
- Nesian Footy
The doomed life of a coach and Super Rugby in Tonga
After Jason Demetriou was sacked from the Rabbitohs in the NRL, we ask Toutai Kefu about the doomed fate that is coaching and how they support each other and…
- Nesian Footy
Allana Sikimeti packed up and it's paid off
Having only taken up rugby four years ago, 19-year-old Allana Sikimeti's decision to leave her family and move to Canberra has been a big success after a…
- Nesian Footy
Super W GF preview and ANZAC Day floggings
The massive Super W Grand Final between the Fiji Drua Women and the Waratahs is this Sunday so Toutai Kefu gives us some insights into conditions in Brisbane…
- Nesian Footy
Kayal Iro went from the 'little fella' to the big time
From barefoot rugby in Rarotonga to representing the Cook Islands to making it in the NRL with the Cronulla Sharks, Kayal Iro is a star on the rise. We hear…
- Nesian Footy
24 sushi rolls or a frozen banana shake
There's a ton to discuss including the long awaited Flying Fijians head coach appointment, the Super W semi finals and the biggest trade in NZ Warriors…
- Nesian Footy
David Mead on the realities of a PNG team in the NRL
Papua New Guinea has big dreams to enter a team in the NRL and one of the greatest players from that nation, David Mead, discusses the challenges they may face…
- Nesian Footy
Pasta spews and footy news
From Sam's failed pre-game meals to NSW Women's Origin camp heating up, Nesian Footy has it all this Friday. Tinirau and Sam discuss coach axings, Drua…
- Nesian Footy
Sekope Kepu found deep cultural connection at Moana
Tongan Australian legend and the first captain of Moana Pasifika, Sekope Kepu is all about Pasifika cultural celebration. Kepu explores his Tongan family's…
- Nesian Footy
NRLW expansion and Fijian frogs
Sam is back from his latest Fiji trip and with the field almost underwater for the two Drua games, he tell us about the Force having to change plans and how…
- Nesian Footy
Faitala Moleka is the future of women's rugby union
One of the brightest stars in women's rugby union is Faitala Moleka and we discover how she went from almost pursuing music to debuting for the Wallaroos at…
- Nesian Footy
Reece Walsh as Nelly and Moana's strong form
Jumping in for Sam (who's on his fortnightly Fiji trip) is the only man to captain Cook Islands in League and Union, Tupou Sopoaga. Tinirau and Tupou discuss…
- Nesian Footy
Xavier Coates on that miracle try and his PNG culture
The man of the moment who scored one of the greatest tries in NRL history, PNG Kumul and Melbourne Storm winger Xavier Coates, joins us on Nesian Footy. As…
- Nesian Footy
Shocking tipping and a Tongan horse recipe
Hear a full Pasifika preview of the footy weekend with plenty of Nesian stars on display in the NRL, Super Rugby and Super W. Our mates Sala Togatuki and…
- Nesian Footy
Pauline Piliae-Rasabale: Two codes, two kids, one legacy
She's represented Fetu Samoa in League, the Wallaroos in Union and all after having two kids - Pauline Piliae-Rasabale is an inspiration for Pasifika women who…
- Nesian Footy
Las Vegas fallout and the Ikale Tahi budget
We're back for another Friday edition of Nesian Footy with our mates Sala Togatuki and Toutai Kefu joining Sam & Tinirai. We discuss the fallout from Las Vegas…
- Nesian Footy
The Penina Pasifika experience with Nina Foaese and Moana Courtenay
Nina Foaese and Moana Courtenay are two of the inspiring women playing for the combined Samoan and Tongan Rugby Union team, Penina Pasifika, in the hope that…
- Nesian Footy
Las Vegas preview and Super Round in Melbourne
It's a big week in both footy codes with the NRL launching season 2024 in Las Vegas and rugby union taking up residence in Melbourne with all Super games there…
- Nesian Footy
Moale and Milne in Vegas and Lavenia Racaca the Fijian Sevens ref
There's guests galore today as we cross to Las Vegas to hear from Davvy Moale and Taane Milne, hear the story from Lavenia Racaca - the first Fijian female to…
- Nesian Footy
Nesian Footy Fridays ft. Sala Togatuki and Toutai Kefu
It's the first week of Nesian Footy Fridays and Sam & Tinirau have got your weekend footy sorted with the help of Sala Togatuki and Toutai Kefu. This week…
- Nesian Footy
Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea literally played rugby before she was born
Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea's mum was playing high-level rugby when she was pregnant with her, so maybe that's why Alysia is an integral part of the super…
- Nesian Footy
Faith, family and footy: Payne Haas is a giant of the NRL
Payne Haas is one of the biggest stars in the NRL, both in size and reputation and joins Nesian Footy to discuss his journey. Haas chats about his Muslim…
- Nesian Footy
Mick Byrne looks for work ethic to find Fijian Drua's next star
When the Fijian Drua head coach Mick Byrne goes down to the beach to watch the kids play no touch footy, it's work ethic and extra efforts that impress him…
- Nesian Footy
Sera Naiqama is a trailblazer on and off the field
Between playing Rugby Union at the highest level and a growing presence in Australian media, Sera Naiqama balances plenty in her life. Naiqama reflects on her…
- Nesian Footy
Levi Milford is living the dream playing Rugby Sevens for Samoa
Levi Milford has represented Samoa at the Commonwealth Games and on the Rugby Sevens circuit for a couple of years and has relished moving back to Samoa. We…
- Nesian Footy
Lote Tuqiri on preseasons, rugby's woes and Pasifika representation
To kick off 2024, one of the greatest dual code internationals in footy history, Lote Tuqiri, is joining us. We chat about his code hopping, Pasifika…
Nesian FootyKonrad Hurrell still prefers barefoot footy to new boots
Konrad Hurrell only played barefoot rugby until his late teens and still can't wear new footy boots. We hear his story going from a small village to…
- Nesian Footy
Why Tupou Sopoaga chose rugby league
Former dual-code player Tupou Sopoaga has moved from the field to the boardroom and is now tackling contracts as a player manager. He talks to Sam and Joseph…
- Nesian Footy
Sione Fukofuka ready to soar with the Eagles in the US
Sam and T sit down with Sione Fukofuka who is paving the way for more Pasifika representation in the coaching space after taking up the head coaching role for…
- Nesian Footy
Ivania Wong plays for the Wallaroos but also represents PNG
Rugby Union speedster Ivania Wong arrived in Australia from PNG at age eight and only started playing the game a decade later. Within a short time Wong had…
- Nesian Footy
Fa'amanu Brown returns after a massive year on and off the field
Our first ever guest on Nesian Footy, Fa'amanu Brown, returns to chat about a huge year on and off the field including switching clubs from the Bulldogs to the…
- Nesian Footy
Kiana Takairangi found Cook Island songs in a PNG community
While playing in the Pacific Championships, Kiana Takairangi was motivated to learn more about her Cook Island heritage by a small community in Papua New…
- Nesian Footy
Lima Sopoaga: Samoa are being locked out of making Rugby gains
Lima Sopoaga has played for the All Blacks, coached with Cook Islands and had immense pride in representing Samoa in the 2023 Rugby World Cup. He talks about…
- Nesian Footy
Joseph Paulo's French faux pas and a RWC Final preview
Joseph Paulo steps in this week for Tinirau and takes us to his French rugby league days with accidental steak tartares, enforced 2 hour lunch breaks and a no…
- Nesian Footy
Dr David Lakisa is changing Australian sports clubs for Pasifika people
For decades, Dr David Lakisa has been making sporting clubs and organisations in Australia safer places so that Pasifika and Maori athletes can shine. Over 50%…
- Nesian Footy
Remember the name: Future Fijian rugby star Isaiah Armstrong Ravula
He's just signed to the Fijian Drua, is the cousin of All Black Richie Mo'unga and made the team of the tournament at the under 20 Rugby World Cup - Isaiah…