Nesian Footy

The Blues have wrapped up the Origin series, meaning primary attention can now return to the NRL, as some teams face crunch games in Round 19. The Wests Tigers' hopes of breaking their lengthy Finals drought is getting urgent, just as reports surface that star half Jarome Luai has been invited to explore his options for the 2027 season, before joining the PNG Chiefs in 2028. Also on the show, we r...

Playmaker Ben Volavola joins the Fijian Drua next season after a year with the Reds. The well-travelled Fijian has played 38 Tests and tested a broad range of rugby experiences. The 35-year-old is very well equipped to pass on invaluable wisdom to the rapidly develop Super Rugby Pacific franchise. On rugby, it was the very first round of the Nation's Championship over the weekend and there were so...

The hotly anticipated Nations Championship kicks off this weekend, headlined by Fiji's huge contest against Wales in Cardiff. Nemani Nadolo Kuridrani helps preview the Fijian's big game. The NRLW kicked off last night as Newcastle launched their season in style with a win over the Sharks, which we review with Sala Togatuki. We preview Round 18 in the NRL, plus the final regular season round in the...

Despite being medically retired at just 30, former Toa Samoa Test representative Josh Aloiai isn't slowing down. The ex-NRL forward leads by example, chasing fulfilling post-career passions and engaging community with meaningful endeavours that will continue to inspire. Aloiai has never been shy to stick up for his beliefs. Also on today's show, we review Round 17 in the NRL, set the scene ahead o...

The Dolphins host the Warriors in one of the most hyped regular season matches of 2026 so far. The Phins last tasted defeat in their Round 8 clash with the Wahs, in what looms as an epic rematch to headline Round 17 in the NRL. We unpack the big League talking points with our regular guest Sala Togatuki, plus check in with our rugby correspondent Nemani Nadolo Kuridrani, as some big appointments a...

Tonga's most promising under-16s rugby league talent is currently touring down under, gaining valuable exposure to travel, elite pathways and what it takes to make it as a professional player. But those are just some of the benefits on offer for these impressionable young boys and girls, as we find out by touching base with NRL Tonga GM Tavake Tangupo and u16's Girls captain Atelaite Vakautakakala...

Two star-studded Kiwi sides will contest the Super Rugby Pacific Final in Wellington this Saturday, with plenty of history and legacy on the line for both franchises. The Hurricanes earned hosting rights after their incredible campaign, while the Chiefs will be hoping it's fourth time lucky, having lost the competition's last three deciders. It's been a huge week for Queensland, who not only squar...

James Segeyaro played 155 NRL games, between 2011 and 2022, along with six Tests for the Kumuls. At stages during his career, the dummy half was an unstoppable force around the ruck. But, as the now-35-year-old reveals, the PNG star's journey to adulthood and the professional ranks was anything but normal, which forced him to confront heavy internal conflict and bitter resentment. That remains a w...

New South Wales have left out Rugby League's hottest edge forward in one of the most Origin shocking selection calls of recent memory. The omission of Haumole Olakau'atu It shapes as a major story as the Blues continue preparation for their chance to seal the series in Melbourne for game two. The Nesian footy guys have their say on all the Origin selection talking points. Also, former NRL and Fiji...

There are some huge derbies and mouth-watering contests in the NRL this weekend, headlined by a grudge match involving the Tigers and Panthers, where a number of ex-Penrith premiership stars will take on their old side. Guest Sala Togatuki will help preview the huge Sunday afternoon contest.

With the short-term future of Moana Pasifika firmly up in the air, the side produced an heroic final act against the Playoffs-bound Brumbies in Canberra. The ABC Canberra team caught up with Moana's key figures before and after the match, soaking up all kinds emotions. We hear from coach Tana Umaga, captain Miracle Fai'ilagi and play-maker Patrick Pellegrini off the back of his two-try performance...

It's been a big week for NSW Rugby League fans, enjoying the biggest comeback in Origin history on Wednesday night in the Men's opener, before watching the Women's side make it a clean sweep over Queensland 24 hours later. We chat all things League on Nesian footy, from Origin to Round 13 this weekend, assisted by our regular guest Sala Togatuki, who helped break down the Blues' 12-4 win over the...

Former Wallaby Will Genia's sister, Lorraine, represents an on-going push to secure the future of rugby union in the League-mad Papua New Guinea. The former media talent in PNG is also an advocate for Women's sport and unpacks some of the on-going challenges in Papua New Guinean rugby and what great work is going on behind the scenes. Also, it's Origin week, with the hotly anticipated Men's opener...

Tonga star Isaiyah Katoa continues his rapid maturity, orchestrating the Dolphins to an impressive win in Canberra to kick off Round 12 in the NRL. His comments post-game helped illustrate what a fantastic leader he's becoming as well. Also on this edition of Nesian Footy, the boys preview the remaining NRL matches this weekend, plus unpack some of the key Origin selection talking points with NRLW...

What a week in rugby league! It was Magic Round rolled right into the release of the Origin I teams being released. And to top it all off, our special guest for today's edition of the show was none other than in-form Knights winger Greg Marzhew. Origin coaches Laurie Daley and Billy Slater made huge calls as they call their squads into camp ahead of next week's Men's Origin opener, so we break dow...

What an epic Women's Origin game two was! The Blues have retained the Women's crown and we re-live all the action with Sala Togatuki. With T up in Brisbane for Magic Round, Will Hopoate is Sammy's co-host for today, with the pair previewing all the upcoming action at Lang Park. And it's now or never for the Fijian Drua who are looking to keep their Playoff hopes alive as they host the Waratahs in...

Samoan star Greg Marzhew's five-try haul headlined Round 10's NRL action in what was a big win for Newcastle. Plus, here come the Crusaders! They enjoyed an impressive statement win over the Blues to bring them right back into Playoff contention. And this week's guest is former NRL and Super League player Nate Peteru, who is leading by example for former Pasifika players transitioning out of footy...

Round 10 in the NRL kicked off with Redcliffe pummelling the broken Bulldogs and there's plenty more intriguing footy to follow, headlined by some eye-catching matchups on Saturday which we preview. It's Round 13 in Super Rugby Pacific too, as the end of the regular season draws closer to an end. The Drua have a timely bye as they make their push for Playoffs after strong recent form. A comment ma...

Today's show is headlined by the Kanaloa Group, who are pitching to salvage Moana Pasifika's status in the Super Rugby Pacific. The boys also break down what was another huge round in the NRL, plus recap the Drua's third win from their last four starts - keeping their season alive. And we welcome on PNG Orchid Shellie Long for the first time this year, chatting Women's Origin and the NRLW's bigges...

The Blues have prevailed in a hard-fought Women's Origin Opener, beating the Maroons 11-6 in Newcastle. Sala Togatuki jumps on to help break down the contest. We also preview Round 9 in the NRL and Round 12 in the Super Rugby Pacific, which is headlined by the Drua hosting the Highlanders in Ba. Nemani Nadolo Kuridrani joins to help preview that clash. Chapters: 3:00 - Luai joins the Chiefs 8:50 -...

Tigers, Blues and Samoan Test star Jarome Luai was in PNG over the weekend, checking out the Chiefs' facilities, ahead of an upcoming decision around his contract. That's huge!  The Storm's stranglehold over the Rabbitohs in Melbourne ends emphatically. That's now six straight losses for Melbourne, so what now? How good was Super Round in Christchurch? But while there was some fantastic rugby, the...

It's a huge weekend of footy ahead, with the NRL's mammoth Anzac Day slate of games, plus Super Round in Christchurch. Sala Togatuki jumps on to unpack the disappointment of missing selection for the Blues in the Women's Origin opener. Plus Nemani Kuridrani Nadolo breaks down the positive energy inside the Fijian Drua camp after their strong win over the Brumbies. Chapters: 4:30 - League chat and...

Big show! Will Genia is our special guest and he offers all kinds of spot on advice to aspiring athletes across the Pacific, as we take a trip down memory lane to his phenominal journey and professional career. It's been a big week in Rugby League, with St George-Illawarra hitting the eject button on the Shane Flanagan era, plus there were some wild Round 7 results. How about the Fijian Drua? They...

It's been a huge week of news in rugby and you won't find a better breakdown of the lay of the land in Super Rugby after the latest on Moana Pasifika's ownership deciding to pull the pin at the end of this season. Co-hosts Sam Wykes and Tinirau Arona break it all down, plus come up with some potential solutions with out weekly Fiji correspondent Nemani Kuridrani Nadolo. It's Round 7 in the NRL and...

Tongan young gun Ana Ngahe chronicles her journey to top-line women's rugby, as a brand new fixture took centre stage in the Pacific over the weekend, in what shaped as a 'bitter-sweet' contest for many of the Penina Pasifika players involved. Hear about what it means to be a part of the Penina Pasifika program and where the players hope it gets to. It was also an eventful weekend in both the NRL...