Nesian Footy

We preview the rest of Round 6 in the NRL after the Bulldogs staged an incredible boilover against the previously unbeaten Panthers in what doubled as Nathan Cleary's 200th First Grade appearance. We dissect Sunday's huge game between the Tigers and Knights with NRLW star Sala Togatuki. We review how the Drua is going, plus assess the coaching situation with Fiji's Test side. Plus, another we of o...

Tokelau-NZ young gun Fanua Rimoni has just signed a two-year deal with the Titans as she nears a breakthrough NRLW debut this season. The rising star details her climb to the professional ranks and the bet that she made on herself, relocating to Australia as a teenager. We also unpack Round 4 in the NRL, which featured a few crazy upsets and a very early reign change at the Sea Eagles. It was also...

It's already Round 7 in Super Rugby Pacific and along with previewing the upcoming slate of games, we catch up with Nemani Nadolo-Kuridrani to see how it's all going with the Fijian Drua, coming off their tough loss with the Reds. We also review last night's opening to Round 4 in the NRL, where the Roosters proved too strong for the Sea Eagles in Daly Cherry-Evans' return to Brookvale Oval, plus l...

Former Brumbies backrower Fotu Auelua now dedicates his time and energy teaching the next generation the art of winning the collision for aspiring League and Union players. He joins us to unpack the on-field art and its importance to success in both codes. The guys also break down the weekend's action across the NRL and Super Rugby Pacific. 3:00 - Moment of the Week 8:00 - NRL 18:30 - Super Rugby...

We preview Friday's huge slate with the Roosters hosting the Panthers and the Storm taking on the Broncos in a rematch of last year's decider. The boys also break down the Sharks clashing with the Dolphins in depth with Sala Togatuki. The Fijian Drua are riding a high and we check in with Nemani Nadolo Kuridrani, plus diagnose how Moana Pasifika can get back on track in Round 6 of the competition....

High profile rugby coach Eddie Jones, who is currently in charge of the Japanese Test side, joins to offer stories and insight from across his coaching career, with particular focus on harnessing talent and coaching Pacific heritage players. The boys also celebrate Alex Johnston's heroic record-breaking try-scoring moment, unpack Round 2 in the NRL, dissect the Fijian Drua's big win over the Brumb...

After a quick review of Parra's impressive win in Brisbane, we preview the rest of Round 2 in the NRL. The guys also look at this weekend's Super Rugby Pacific action, including superstar Rob Valetini fittingly making his 100th cap as the Drua play host to the Brumbies in Ba. Sala Togatuki is on to chat through some League talking points, including Alex Johnston's shot at try scoring immortality,...

Mose Masoe was involved in one of the most frightening incidents ever witnessed on the professional Rugby League stage; not just life-altering, but potentially life shattering. And yet, his approach to the adversity he's had to tackle is nothing short of inspirational.  Sam Wykes and Tinirau Arona talk to the former NRL player about the moment he broke his neck in the English Super League and how...

The Melbourne Storm in Round 1 is a different beast. That's 24 straight opening round wins for Craig Bellamy's side, unbelievable. The boys break down the Storm's thrashing of the Eels, plus unpack the historic appointment of Dave Rennie at the All Blacks and chat to Sala Togatuki and Nemani Nadolo Kuridrani to preview a huge weekend of footy. 

Dan Millis leads rugby diplomacy and partnership efforts throughout the Pacific region. He joins the show to unpack what Rugby Australia's doing to help strengthen Pacific pathways. Co-hosts Sam Wykes and Tinirau Arona also break down the Fijian Drua's breakthrough Super Rugby Pacific win and the NRL's Vegas weekend.

The NRL season officially kicks off this Sunday, in Las Vegas. The boys preview the two games, plus offer up some players to watch for season 2026. We also preview Round 3 of the Super Rugby Pacific, and Nemani Nadolo-Kuridrani jumps on to detail where things are at with the Fijian Drua.

Cook Islands Test forward Davvy Moale finds himself in the early stages of a one-year sabbatical at the Melbourne Storm, having ended his time at Souths and signed on with the Sea Eagles from 2027 for three seasons. Ahead of the NRL season's opening weekend, the 22-year-old details his new life away from the Sydney spotlight and under the tutelage of master-coach Craig Bellamy. Plus, Round 2 in th...

Teti Tela was there for the early days of the Fijian Drua, helping shape the Super Rugby Pacific team's growth. He was also the starting flyhalf when Fiji produced their historic Rugby World Cup win over the Wallabies in 2023, ending a 69-year drought against Australia. Now retired, Tela details his career highlights, which culminate in a rich rugby legacy. Sam wraps Round 1 of the Super Rugby Pac...

It wasn't the smoothest qualification path for Manu Samoa from the Islands to America then to Dubai, but the juice was worth the squeeze and they will play at the Rugby World Cup in 2027 in Australia. Rodney Iona rode the rollercoaster through the Pacific Nations Cup, the losses to Chile and the eventual games in Dubai and the victory was equal parts joyous and relief. We hear about the whole expe...

With Cook Island, Samoan and Niuean blood, Ryvrr-Lee Alo's rise in the rugby league world has meant some big decisions already for the 19-year-old. Having played for Cook Islands Moana in 2024, Alo caught the eye of Sam & Tinirau during her debut NRLW season in 2025 with the Eels and shares her footy journey, why she decided to represent Fetu Samoa last year and the family surprises along the...

Miracle Faiilagi takes the mantle as the Moana Pasifika leader for season 2026 which caps off his incredible rise from Samoan club rugby to the biggest stage in the world. Sam & Tinirau chat to Faiilagi about what he learned from those early days as a teenager playing against men on the rough field in Vailele, how his family reacted to the captaincy news, why he chose to play for Manu Samoa in...

Aidan Toua grew up in Port Moresby and after retiring he felt a calling to go back to Papua New Guinea to help young PNG kids change their narrative. For the first show of 2026, Sam & Tinirau chat to Toua about moving to Brisbane as a kid and trying to fit in, overcoming injuries at the start of his career and representing his homeland both on and off the field. We also hear about Tinirau's in...

From the pressure cooker environment of the NRL to winning a reality TV cooking show, Tongan Will Mataka has had a crazy journey. Sam & Tinirau hear about his Tongan food influences, how the end of his rugby league career led to being homeless and why the 'My Kitchen Rules' win was a testament to hard work, persistence and family. As well, the boys wrap up a huge 2025 on our final show with an...

Sitaleki Timani had all but retired, but the desire to play for the Ikale Tahi took him back to France and led him to achieve this dream last weekend. We hear why his father's passing at a young age spurred on Timani's drive to achieve success and provide for his family, surprise code switches and debuts and we discover where the T for Tonga symbol with your arms may have originated. Plus, the air...

Martha Mataele is a dual-code athlete whose journey has been full of ups and downs. Her career in rugby union with the Black Ferns was cut short by a series of serious concussions that left her contemplating medical retirement. But as one door closed, another opened. She found her way to the NRLW, signing with the Eels and proudly representing Tonga at the Pacific Championships. With her confidenc...

Burleigh Bears captain and Fiji Bulikula representative Teaghan Hartigan hops on Nesian Footy to share her journey, from growing up in a footy-strong family to leading her club and country. She reflects on the evolution of the women’s game, the rise of Fiji Bulikula, and what Fiji’s first-ever Rugby League World Cup qualification means for the next generation of players. With no more league games...

From France to the Cook Islands, Reubenn Rennie’s rugby league journey has taken a path less travelled, one fuelled by passion and opportunity. Now, after helping the Cook Islands Aitu secure their spot at next year’s Rugby League World Cup, Rennie reflects on his career so far, the pride of representing his heritage, and what’s next for the Kukis. In Tinirau’s favour, the Cook Islands celebration...

It’s the final Nesian Footy Friday of the year! Will Hopoate steps in for Tinirau to preview the last Pacific Championships games and reflect on the action inside Tonga’s camp. Sam shares the highs and lows of being a Wallabies fan after their loss to England, and Nemani Nadolo Kuridrani joins straight from training to chat about settling into his new role as Fiji Drua’s Development Coach.

The future of rugby league looks bright with rising star Roman Tuaimau, who’s just signed his first major deal with the Canberra Raiders straight out of high school. Tuaimau reflects on the rugby league greats, past and present, who’ve inspired him, and shares how his journey is steadily leading him to the big stage. It’s been another huge week in the Pacific Championships, with Tinirau sharing hi...

Tinirau is back from PNG with some hearty stories from his travels. It’s week three of the Pacific Championships, and Sam’s had enough of hearing “Versace on the Floor” after Tonga’s loss last weekend - he’s hungry for redemption. Plus, Nemani Nadolo-Kuridrani jumps on for the first time as Fiji Drua’s new development coach.