Nesian Footy

In light of Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters trying to get in touch with every player considering a switch in allegiances, Tinirau shares his thoughts on the future of International Rugby League. Sam runs us through the Wallabies’ team changes for their final match against the British & Irish Lions plus Toutai Kefu prepares to return to Japan for his new role as head coach of the Kamaishi Seawave...

Within 18 months, Fiji Bati representative Brayden Wiliame retired from the NRL and is now the Bulldogs NRLW head coach. Wiliame talks about how playing for the Bati strengthened his cultural connection, why his wife and daughters help him be a better coach and create strong environments and why a meeting with Gus Gould changed his path. Tinirau talks through some big upsets in the NRL and some im...

Round 21 of the NRL has Tinirau fired up for some heavy-hitting matchups especially the Panthers v Tigers clash, where old teammates face off in new teams. Sam was on the sidelines for Tuesday night’s First Nations & Pasifika XV clash against the British & Irish Lions, catching up post-match with Taniela Tupou, Rob Leota, and Kurtley Beale. We also hear from head coach Toutai Kefu, who bre...

Hale T Pole played more than 30 times for Tonga, including at a World Cup, and is taking those lessons and applying them to the next generation. Pole talks about his culture shock moving from Tonga to NZ at age 18, that red card against Samoa in the World Cup and as the CEO of Pacific Rugby Players, what the big improvements have been to date and what's to come. Will Hopoate talks us through some...

Tinirau runs through his favourite match-ups for Round 20 in the NRL, while Sam drops the next wave of superstars with some heavyweight surnames set to debut for Manu Samoa tonight. Toutai Kefu gives the boys the latest scoop ahead of the First Nations and Pasifika XV clash with the Lions on Tuesday. Plus, Sala Togatuki shares what she’s been working on behind the scenes in the community.

Mele Hufanga didn't have it easy growing up, but playing bull rush with the boys after church sparked a love of footy that's led her to captain Tonga and represent the Kiwi Ferns. Hufanga is a powerhouse in the NRLW and talks to us about jumping from Union to League, shares some Tongan wisdom she lives by and what advice she'd give to a little girl like Mele in the Pacific Islands. Tinirau chats t...

Despite being heartbroken over NSW’s loss in the third and final round of the 2025 State of Origin, Tinirau is a man of his word. He follows through on his bet with Nesia Daily and relives the pain of Wednesday night’s game, sharing his thoughts on where it all went wrong.  Round 2 of the NRLW kicked off last night, and Sala Togatuki, bruises and all, walks us through how she and the Tigers battle...

Tongan rugby league veteran Sam Moa joins Nesian Footy to reflect on the many seasons of his playing career from the NRL to the Super League. Along the way, he picked up a few ‘superpowers’ of his own, which he now brings to his role as assistant coach with the Parramatta Eels. Sam’s back from Palau with some of his favourite moments to share, while Tinirau breaks down his highlights from Round 18...

Tinirau shares his favourite moments from the first match of the 2025 NRLW season. Our favourite 18th man, Tupou Sopoaga, jumps back on the mic as the crew drags Sammy back home from the beautiful shores of Palau. Sala Togatuki previews two big clashes in Round 1 of the NRLW as she heads to Brisbane with the Tigers to prepare for their showdown with the Broncos over the weekend. Toutai Kefu puts o...

As Sam soaks up the sun in Palau, Tupou Sopoaga steps in to take charge of union chat, diving into the British Irish Lions vs Force thumping over the weekend. Shellie Long reviews the Wallaroos A vs Manusina game, and Tinirau brings in a special guest to Nesian Footy. In order to live out his dream of playing professional rugby league, Jesse Sene-Lefao had to work twice as hard as those around him...

Tinirau returns to Nesian Footy with a bold declaration - the Penrith Panthers are back! Sammy brings the latest on promising Drua signings and team lists ahead of tomorrow’s Wallaroos vs Manusina clash. The boys also welcome Sala Togatuki back with open arms after some time apart, and Toutai Kefu drops a history lesson on Tinirau. 

With a new set of goals for the future including playing for Tonga, Savelio Tamale has risen the ranks rapidly in 2025 after locking down a spot in the high flying Canberra Raiders team. We hear about his unexpected debut in the NRL, what it means to represent his family and Tonga every time he runs out there and why this injury might be a blessing. Sam Wykes is joined by Will Hopoate to chat thro...

While Tinirau takes on Tokyo, Nesian Footy gets a full Tongan takeover with some of the best in the game joining the show. Will Hopoate returns to  break down the final results from State of Origin Round 2, while Sam and Toutai place their bets ahead of the Super Rugby Pacific final between the Crusaders and Chiefs this Saturday. 

After spending time teaching and making space for Pasifika women in commentary, journalism and content over the past week, Oceania Rugby's Sheridan Graham-Tupaea is excited for them to shine. Graham-Tupaea has crafted a career in sport and wants to make sure that pathway is there for women who want to be involved off the field so we hear about the programs in place, the hopes for the future and a...

After missing Monday’s show, Sam and Tinirau are back with double the rugby league and union updates. Tinirau shares how the Cook Island community got around the U13's Arorangi Bears' over the weekend, while Sam brings results from the Super Rugby semi-finals and the Oceania Rugby XV Championships. Plus, Toutai Kefu announces his move from the Kintetsu Liners to the more rural Kamaishi Seawaves 

With the Super Rugby finals right around the corner, Sam and Toutai size up the top contenders. Meanwhile, Tinirau shares his Round 14 NRL insights and gets ready to cheer on the Cook Islands U13 Arorangi Bears, who are kicking off their first-ever Australian tour tonight. Plus, FBC journalist Mataiasi Stark joins us with the latest from the Oceania Rugby U20s Challenge in Fiji.

As the women’s game continues to gain momentum in both rugby league and union, the need for more female coaches remains clear — something Oneata Schwalger has experienced firsthand on her coaching journey. A former Women’s Super Rugby and NRLW player who represented both Australia and Samoa, she began coaching through her two sons and is now setting her sights on international opportunities. Tinir...

Tinirau and Sam reckon the first game of the men's State of Origin saw NSW win despite being at 60% so the boys have some bold predictions on what the rest of the series might look like. They also take a look at the QLD victory in the final women's game plus work out how Moana are going to turn around the drubbing last week to a bonus point win this week.  Toutai Kefu is by to chat more rugby incl...

Former Manu Samoa and Moana Pasifika captain Jack Lam may never have played professional footy if it wasn't for a chance meeting and generosity from a family friend. We hear about this life changing moment, how Lam made it count by always putting family and culture first and what it’s been like watching Moana Pasifika grow from day one to now. Tinirau unpacks another round of upsets in the NRL and...

With Sala away chasing a series whitewash in Women’s Origin, Tinirau recaps the latest NRL news and his favourite moments from Dolphins vs Bulldogs. Sam and Toutai delve into the Pasifika powerhouse Ardie Savea after he takes out the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year, while Toutai looks ahead to coaching the First Nations & Pasifika XV against the Lions and how players qualify for th...

Isoa Nasilasila didn't get picked for his school rugby league or AFL team so he gave union a shot and fast forward to now, he's about to become the first Fiji Drua player to reach 50 caps. We hear about his visits home to Fiji as a kid, a special Super Rugby debut in front of his family and what it was like to beat the Wallabies at the World Cup for the Flying Fijians. Sam & Tinirau also dive...

Putting last year's doubts to rest, the Blues have reclaimed the State of Origin shield in the Women's second ever three-game series. While Sala celebrates the victory, Tinirau delivers a full recap of the game. Meanwhile, Sam gets Toutai to fess up to coaching rumours.

After being told he was too short to make it for most of his juniors, the satisfaction to play in the NRL with Manly and for Toa Samoa for Gordon Chan Kum Tong was next level. We hear about how he overcame the naysayers, why he didn't have pride in his name growing up and how he's turned that around and what being Samoan means to him. Tinirau talks the round of comebacks in the NRL, Sam casts his...

Sam's in Fiji so it's cousins on the radio today with Tinirau Arona roping in Tupou Sopoaga to talk the upcoming rounds in NRL and Super Rugby. Toutai Kefu weighs in on whether the Drua can find some positives over the next few weeks after a dire season. With Sala away, we replay a special interview with Maroons halfback Tarvana Papalii to get us warmed up for round two of Women's State of Origin...

Representing both Australia and her motherland of Fiji on the same Suva footy ground where her Mum and Grandfather played was an emotional moment for Tabua Tuinakauvadra. We hear about the momentous Wallaroos match in Fiji, what it was like growing up in country NSW a long way from the Nadroga-Navosa Province her parents are from and why her Dad wasn't super keen at first on his daughters playing...