Talofa, Ma’lele’i, Bula and welcome to Season 06 Episode 68 of Breakfast Bites, the FIJI & PACIFIC SPORTS NEWS PODCAST, by TeivovoSports.com – a wrap of Pasifika people’s sports news, on a bright and sunny Tuesday morning 12 September 2023.
Coming to you with tons of hanisi from the 180th meridian, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Talofa, Ma’lele’i, Bula and welcome to Season 06 Episode 68 of Breakfast Bites, the FIJI & PACIFIC SPORTS NEWS PODCAST, by TeivovoSports.com – a wrap of Pasifika people’s sports news, on a bright and sunny Tuesday morning 12 September 2023.
Coming to you with tons of hanisi from the 180th meridian, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
And the Rugby World Cup 2023 has kicked off
The influence of Pacific island players on global rugby is undeniable, while Australia and New Zealand can credit some of their rugby success to Pasifika players, 13 of the teams at RWC2023 have at least one player with Pacific Island heritage.
I’ll dig into this more in Background Buzz this morning, so stick around until the end of this podcast.
In Rugby League
It was a thrilling opening weekend of action-packed NRL finals footy and now there are just six clubs left in the premiership race.
Brisbane ended their Storm hoodoo in style, while the Panthers showed just how ruthlessly they’re chasing the first three-peat in 40 years.
The Roosters delivered one of their gutsiest wins to end the Sharks’ season but it came at a cost, while the Knights ousted the Raiders in one of the games of the season.
Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell will inform Australian Kangaroos Head Coach, Mal Meninga today, of his decision to withdraw from the Kangaroos selection for the end-of-season Tests against New Zealand and Samoa.
Mitchell injured his hand late in the season and after initially trying physio, it’s now likely he’ll require surgery.
In SportzBiz
With the 23,771-seat Arthur Ashe Stadium, the largest tennis facility in the world, the US Tennis Open finished with a main draw total of 799,402 fans, up 3% from last year, with Coco Gauff winning the Women’s singles final and Novak Djokovic winning the Men’s singles title.
This year’s US Open featured a US$65Million prize pool that is the largest of tennis’ four majors, and Gauff and Djokovic each earned US$3M for their titles.
In the NFL
Three NFL franchise quarterbacks, all aged in their mid-20s, signed record five-year contracts this offseason: Jalen Hurts at US$255Million with the Eagles, followed by the Ravens extending Lamar Jackson for US$260M and Justin Herbert with his US$262.5M extension with the Chargers worth US$52.5M per season.
In Combat sports
American Sean Strickland insists he is ready for an immediate rematch with Israel Adesanya after stealing his UFC Middleweight title at UFC293 on Saturday in Sydney.
Strickland also revealed the strange conversation that took place between the pair immediately after the fight inside the Octagon.
“It was f…ing strange man,” Strickland said. “I think he was mad that I mentioned his dog. I was like ‘what is going on? Are we having this conversation? So I’m sorry for making fun of your dog. I’m sure he’s a great fella,” Strickland told Adesanya.
Told later that Adesanya’s dog had passed away, Strickland replied: “Oh is that what it is? I killed a dog once.”
In football AGAIN!
“It started with a kiss . . . “ Embattled Spanish Football Federation El Presidento Luis Rubiales has resigned, yes that’s correct he has resigned, finally bringing some closure to several weeks of controversy that had capped the 2023 FIFA World Cup for women.
Rubiales on Sunday tendered his resignation from both the Federation and a position as UEFA Vice President, three weeks after he kissed Spanish star player Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent following Spain’s triumph over England in the final.
In Background Buzz
OK so in background Buzz this morning, I dive into the Pasific Island players in all 13 teams in RWC2023.
While Australia and New Zealand feature a known and prominent Pasifika line up, players have been named for Romania, Italy, France, England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Japan.
RWC2023 Host nation, France’s squad includes four Pacific Islanders: From Futuna Yoram Moefana, Wallisian Romain Taofifenua, Uini Atonio of Samoa and New Caledonia born Peato Mauvaka.
Romania’s squad includes at least six players of Pacific heritage, including Tongan-born Tangimana Fonovai, Tevita Manumua, Jason Tomane, Hinckley Vaovasa, Taliauli Sikuea and Lama Sioeli.
Italy features three Pacific players of its own, including Samoan Monty Ioane, and Tongan Epalahame Faiva and Toa Halafihi.
Listen to podcast for full BUZZ!
And that’s a wrap!
For TEIVOVOsports.com I’m Culden Kamea – Mahalo, vinaka and thank you. Please hit the subscribe button below if you would like to receive more Pasifika sports highlights on Breakfast Bites. And tank you all too mas for all your love and support.
Mahalo, vina’a and tank you all too mass for all your love and support.
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