Fresh Off The Field

Saia Afeaki is proudly carrying on his family's legacy of excellence, making a name for himself while carrying his family name on his back. After debuting for Australia in Physical Disability Rugby League just a few weeks ago, he's living out a dream he once thought was out of reach. And did you know Papua New Guinea produces squash champions too? PNG junior squash star Timonaliz Alarcos-Kriebisch...

Fresh Off the Field brings you Pacific-focused content from in country professionals.

Alongside the excitement and celebrations of the Rugby League World Cup comes the conversation around some of the tournament's biggest blowout scores, leaving many questioning the value of having such a large international competition. Mel Fare and Sam Wykes unpack the purpose, importance and challenges of international tournaments, and why there's more to these competitions than just the scoreboa...

Fresh Off the Field brings you Pacific-focused content from in country professionals.

Fresh Off the Field brings you Pacific-focused content from in country professionals.

Fresh Off the Field brings you Pacific-focused content from in country professionals.

With a family full of boxers, it only seemed natural that this was the path she’d take too. Now, she’s Fiji’s golden star, becoming the first female boxer to represent her island nation on the world stage and taking home bronze at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. She’s now helping set the platform for aspiring boxers across the Pacific. Climate change is making weather patterns harsher and more unpred...

Fresh Off the Field brings you Pacific-focused content from in country professionals.

Pasifika Run Club was almost something that came out of nowhere, sending Edwin Asotasi straight into the deep end. Fast forward, and he’s helping Islanders reshape the way they see long-distance running; moving away from the idea that running is a punishment for messing up at rugby training, or something reserved for a certain body type. Now, Pasifika Run Club has created a space for Islanders acr...

After a long and decorated career in netball, Kristiana Manu’a is getting ready to wind things down, but not before taking out the Oceania Qualifiers campaign at the very least. Chatting to the Samoan skipper before she and her team headed off for the Oceania Qualifiers in  Tonga, she was hungry for a win; and the current score lines reflect just that. But behind the passion and hunger is a season...

Fijian Pearl Matila Vocea has aspirations many could only dream of, balancing international netball and basketball, without feeling the need to choose between the two. She switches codes whenever her schedule allows, taking her all over the world while representing her small island nation. Now, alongside her own playing commitments, Vocea, is coaching younger grades and preparing for the Netball O...

Vanuatu is putting the future of sport under the spotlight, with the launch of a new National Sports Policy aimed at creating clearer pathways from grassroots participation and community competitions through to the national and high-performance level. But is a new policy the answer, or would strengthening what already exists be more effective? Co-host Mel Fare takes a closer look. Meanwhile, Austr...

17-year-old Māori diver Pomeroy-Farrell wins bronze at the World Junior Diving Championships in Croatia, trailblazing a new and untapped path in sport for Fiji. A new rugby partnership, Kaumea’a Ofi, translating to “close friends” in Tongan, signals a strong and hopeful future for rugby. And CrossFit makes its way onto Fresh Off The Field as Samoa celebrates the 11th annual Toa Games. There’s even...

American Samoa has stunned the flag football world, ending America’s 14-year unbeaten streak -  and it’s a story our co-hosts are fighting to share first! New Zealand and Australia continue to make waves on the world stage, with Māori swimmer Erica Fairweather cementing her place at the Pan Pacific Championships, while Indigenous Australian Lani Pallister makes history as the first swimmer to beat...

Fiji recently celebrated Safe Sport Day, highlighting the importance of creating safe and inclusive sporting environments for participants of all ages and levels. Mel Fare chats with Rugby PLUS and a Safeguarding Champion about why the day matters and the measures needed to protect athletes across all areas of sport. Fia Liakong catches up with Tifa Moana representative Renee Savai’inaea, who has...

Sam Wykes and Fiji sports journalist Taina Basiyalo are in the chair this week, wrapping up the biggest sporting stories from across the Pacific. They recap stand-out performances from the Commonwealth Games, catch up with Fijian sprint star Helenia Young and Vanuatu's Chloe David, and look ahead to the 2026 Oceania Volleyball Championships in Guam.  They also celebrate 15-year-old Papua New Guine...

If you've ever wondered, "What's the point of Pacific Island nations competing at the Commonwealth Games when they're up against sporting powerhouses like Australia, Canada and England?" well,  this is the episode for you. While medals often dominate the headlines, the stories behind the athletes are just as important. For many Pacific competitors, travelling two or three days just to reach Glasgo...

This week's co-hosts, Jamie Haro and Taina Basiyalo, have touched down in Glasgow and hit the ground running ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. They join Fresh Off The Field with exciting interviews from Team Papua New Guinea, including former athlete-turned-coach Jacky Travertz, who is passionate about bringing para sport to the forefront, and Fiji's sole para-athlete, Sitiveni Konataci. Once...

The Cook Islands have returned from Tahiti's annual traditional sports festival, Heiva i Tahiti, with their strongest-ever performance, claiming three gold medals. Leading the way was Yaliloa Papitai, who broke the record in the coconut tree climbing event to cap off a historic campaign. We also meet Cook Islands lawn bowls couple Epii and Vasie Polia, who are preparing to compete at the Commonwea...

The inaugural netball Spirit Series is celebrating pride, culture and excellence for First Nations and Indo-Pacific communities. Teams from Fiji, PNG, Singapore and Australia are competing in Sydney in what doubles as an important prelude to World Cup qualification. We catch up with Fiji Pearls captain Elenoa Gukirewa on what it means to drive her team's rebuild. Tongan soccer coach Ms Melemoala S...

Inspirational swimmer Jacob Story will be flying the flag for the Cook Islands at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. We hear what it means for him to represent his people. We also get to know PNG hurdler Robert Oa, who will make his Commonwealth Games debut when it all gets underway later this month. Rugby's Nations Championship kicks off this week, with Fiji playing Wales in Cardiff, in a contest...

Samoan sailing star Vaimo'oi'a Ripley recounts her experience at the Paris Olympics, while also providing an update on her latest exploits in sailing on the Pacific. PNG u19's Football coach Mathew Witu offers insights ahead of the team's OFC u19's Championship Finals tilt in Samoa. Sporting star Tagaloa Lynetta Edward unpacks her role as Medical Coordinator of High Performance at Oceania Football...

Women's Fijian Drua captain Bitila Tawake candidly details time crunch and pressure of juggling her rugby commitments along with her pursuit of a degree. Tonga's Chef de Mission for the Commonwealth Games Roman Vaihu also joins the show, setting the scene for the team Tonga will send to Glasgow next month. World Cup fever continues in the Americas, as we inspect the New Zealand players with Pacifi...

One of sport's most prestigious prizes goes back up for grabs in the United States as the Men's FIFA World Cup takes centre stage. Across the Pacific, lines are being drawn and allegiances solidified, as everyone gets swept up by the hype of the tournament - particularly in the football-mad nation of Vanuatu. Also, former Fiji Bati and NRL star Kane Evans has been praised for his incredible braver...

A host of debutants have the Fijian Drua loaded with excitement ahead of their season opening contest in Sydney against the Waratahs this Saturday. Hear from a couple of players who are hyped to get on the park and challenge themselves against the comp's reigning champions.