PODCAST

Nesian Footy

Radio Australia

Bringing you the Pacific Islander stories on and off the Rugby League and Rugby Union field.

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0:54:20

Nesian Footy

Nesian Footy ·

2025/09/12

Bringing you the Pacific Islander stories on and off the Rugby League and Rugby Union field.

0:53:55

Jack Debreczeni’s nerves for his first Cook Island...

Nesian Footy ·

2025/09/08

Having just represented his Mum’s Cook Island side in the Pasifika First Nations game, Jack Debreczeni has vowed to continue learning more about his Pacific Island culture. We hear about how he juggles his four different cultures, the first time he learned and performed the Ura dance and what his big life lesson from footy was around backing his way.Sam & Tinirau also take a look at the final round of the NRL, the NRLW top 6 calculations, Fiji beat a plucky Manu Samoa and

0:54:25

Tinirau gets tricky with tipping (again)

Nesian Footy ·

2025/09/05

Sam settles back into the Friday saddle, but not without Tinirau pulling some tipping trickery. Nemani Kuridrani reflects on the importance of giving back to rugby at the grassroots, while sharing his take on last weekend’s Fiji vs Tonga clash at the Pacific Nations Cup. And Sala Togatuki feels the love after Essay Banu gave her a shoutout following Monday’s chat with the boys.

0:54:24

Essay Banu went from high school viral footy...

Nesian Footy ·

2025/09/01

Essay Banu put together some footy highlights while in high school, uploaded them to Facebook and the next thing she knew she was getting calls and emails left, right and centre. Fast forward to now and Banu has represented the PNG Orchids at a World Cup as well as leading the Cowboys to their first NRLW finals this year. We hear her story growing up in Tully in Far Nth Qld, travelling back to her PNG village with the Orchids and who her favourite NRLW players are.Sam & Tinirau

0:53:54

Ikale Tahi are brooding with aura at Pacific Nations Cup

Nesian Footy ·

2025/08/29

With Sam away, Will Hopoate steps in to share his post-match thoughts with Tinirau on last night’s Round 26 Panthers vs Bulldogs clash, where all eyes were on Penrith’s bold call to rest 16 players. Meanwhile, with the Pacific Nations Cup underway, Nemani Kuridrani admits Ikale Tahi’s promising form has him a little worried about Fiji’s chances this weekend.

0:54:21

Paul Aiton has seen PNG footy go from $5 a day to an...

Nesian Footy ·

2025/08/25

PNG Kumuls legend and Hunters head coach Paul Aiton is as excited as anyone for the PNG NRL team and thinks that changing the narrative around safety is key to its success. Aiton talks us through his own cultural growth and an overwhelming homecoming, getting $5 a day in the early days of Kumuls, his desire to give back to Papua New Guinea and why if his French parents in law can come and enjoy PNG, anyone can!Will Hopoate joins Tinirau Arona this week to chat through the pointy

0:54:25

Fetu Samoa and Jillaroos player Sala Togatuki on...

Nesian Footy ·

2025/08/22

As Sam heads off to PNG, Will Hopoate fends off Tinirau’s cheeky attempts to sneak in extra points in Knock Out Tipping. Will and Tinirau share the motions of playing in teams out of top 4 contention, and how to keep a winning mindset with the finals out of reach. Nemani Kuridrani gets the league boys ready for the Pacific Nations Cup, and we catch up with Sala Togatuki after the Tigers finally get their first win of the NRLW season.

0:54:25

John Hopoate unfiltered

Nesian Footy ·

2025/08/18

John Hopoate has been a part of the evolution of Tongan rugby league from 'one bottle of water, noodles and corned beef' into world beaters. We hear from the most suspended man in NRL history about where it all began, giving back to his family and country, his hard-nosed coaching mentality and pride in his children and of course about those certain finger incidents that took the game to the world and qualifies him as a doctor.Sam Wykes and Will Hopoate also discuss why Payne Haas

0:54:22

Nemani Kuridrani gets the call up from Nesian Footy

Nesian Footy ·

2025/08/15

Sam and Tinirau answer PNG’s call for help in naming their new NRL team. Sala Togatuki gears up for another weekend of NRLW, bringing a refreshed mindset amid a challenging season for the West Tigers, setting the stage for an exciting Sunday clash. Plus, the boys welcome their newest teammate, Nemani Kuridrani, who steps in to fill the big shoes left by Toutai Kefu’s departure.

0:54:22

Charlie Gamble has heard "I didn't know you're...

Nesian Footy ·

2025/08/11

The 'Player Of The Match' in the First Nations Pasifika game against the Lions was Charlie Gamble who was over the moon to represent his proud Tongan culture and his Mum. Looking more like a Greek or Italian "Mario" in his own words, he's used to having to convince people he's Tongan, but connecting with other Pacific Islander and Indigenous players was a total highlight of the recent week in camp. We also hear about Gamble's unlikely journey to the top via amateur rugby and which

0:54:24

Nesian Footy waves goodbye to Toutai Kefu

Nesian Footy ·

2025/08/08

Sam and Tinirau farewell their much-loved friend and weekly co-host, Toutai Kefu, after 18 gruelling months of carrying Nesian Footy on his back. Tinirau looks ahead to the return of NRL Indigenous Round this weekend, while Sam gives a thumbs up to the Wallabies’ call to scrap the Giteau Rule. Toutai Kefu gets ready to start his new era with the Kamaishi Seawaves.

0:54:25

Lydia Kavoa breaks traditions to become a Wallaroo

Nesian Footy ·

2025/08/04

Tongan-Fijian Wallaroos player Lydia Kavoa shares her unique journey from serving in the Navy to playing professional rugby. Growing up in a traditional Fijian household, sport wasn't something women were encouraged to pursue, especially by her father. Now, he's one of her biggest supporters. The Wallabies finally got the job done against The Lions over the weekend and Sam is psyched! Will Hopoate breaks down a wet round full of NRL upsets in NRL while Tinirau is away. Shellie Long

0:54:22

Will the Kangaroos jump ship to Samoa?

Nesian Footy ·

2025/08/01

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 Seawaves.

0:53:52

Brayden Wiliame's wife and daughters shape his...

Nesian Footy ·

2025/07/28

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 impressive Nesian performances in the NRLW and Sam talks the Wallabies loss and how he

0:54:25

Toutai Kefu unpacks First Nations & Pasifika XV’s...

Nesian Footy ·

2025/07/25

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 breaks down the prep that went into readying his squad for a gritty, physical battle

0:54:24

Hale T Pole represents all Pacific Island rugby...

Nesian Footy ·

2025/07/21

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 of the exciting finishes in the NRL this week, Sam Wykes casts his eye over Samoa's

0:54:21

First Nations and Pasifika XV aim to bring the heat

Nesian Footy ·

2025/07/18

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.

0:54:22

Mele Hufanga on switching codes and countries

Nesian Footy ·

2025/07/14

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 through a rare favourites round in the NRL, Sam salutes Fiji with their win over

0:54:25

Tinirau pays the price of backing the Blues

Nesian Footy ·

2025/07/11

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 battled it out against the Bulldogs. Meanwhile, Sam tries his best to get Toutai Kefu to

0:53:55

Confronting complacency helped Sam Moa's career

Nesian Footy ·

2025/07/07

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. Plus, Shellie Long is all smiles as she soaks up the energy of Round 1 in the NRLW.

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Nesian Footy

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