Fresh Off The Field

We're still basking in the glow of Palau and the Pacific Mini Games so today you'll hear from trailblazers in Vanuatu sport, PNG basketballers proudly playing for their family, the public reception as teams return and more.

Alongside her usual cricket stories, Melissa Fare brings in some rugby news to impress Sam who in turns makes her cry with an interview from Mel's brother. Jamie Haro is here too for all the OFC football news, PNG Rugby League controversy and plenty more.

Powerful stories, impactful performances and world class sporting action - the Pacific Mini Games in Palau didn't disappoint and we'll wrap it all up today on the show. You'll hear from medallists like a Guam softballer, Solomon Islands runner and highlights from across the Pacific.

And because Fiji's Lailanie Burnes and PNG's Patricia Keamo are on board, you'll hear about their countries favourite stories plus news in the world of rugby, football, baseball and so much more.

Fresh Off The Field ditches the office and goes live from Palau for the 2025 Pacific Mini Games!

Joining Sam Wykes on the ground are Papua New Guinean sports journalist Jamie Haro and the newest member of the team, Fijian multimedia sports journalist Taina Basiyalo, bringing you the latest stories and results straight from the games.

It’s an athlete’s paradise in Palau, as Sam Wykes chases around sporting stars like American Samoa’s weightlifters Kennedy Nofoagatotoa and Iva Floyd, and Northern Mariana Islands baseball midfielder Benjamin Jones. 

After some nervous months, the people of Palau are ready and excited to welcome the Pacific to Micronesia for the Mini Games. 'The Island Times' editor Leilani Reklai jumps on to tell us the special way each of the 16 states will be assigned to a different nation to cheer them on, what sport Palau thinks they have the best chance in and importantly, what food will be on the menu.

Sam Wykes is also joined by Cynthia Seda from the Solomon Islands and Finau Vulivuli from Fiji to talk about their countries preparations as well as news in cricket, tennis, athletics, parasport, football and more.

Sam Wykes is joined by Papua New Guinean Patricia Keamo and Tongan Kalo Manu-Moli to see how both nations preparations are going for the Palau Mini Games in just over a week.

TASANOC's Netina Latu Vea also lays down the gauntlet from Tonga plus PNG Rugby League legend David Mead talks through his career post footy and the PNG NRL team. There's news in the worlds of pickleball, cricket, tennis, swimming and more.

Kuini Vuli was one of the first Fijian women to referee rugby sevens at the highest level but after a life changing cancer diagnosis, her new goal is to usher in the next generation. We hear from Vuli about the challenges that made her, why trust in her faith led Vuli back to rugby and what it's like being a woman in the world of Fijian rugby now compared to 25 years ago.

Jamie Haro from PNG and Melissa Fare from Vanuatu also join Sam Wykes to chat about the Palau Mini Games and news in cricket, rugby, football, darts and more.

Entering the "pain cave" with 20kms to go with her knees shot, Elyse Sene-Lefao relied on family and cultural strength to become the first Samoan woman to finish an Ultra-Trail run. We hear about her why, Pasifika body shapes stereotypes and how she had to convince her family it was a good idea.

Joining Sam Wykes is Fiji's Indra Singh for his final episode as co-host and i-Kiribati Teitirake Kabaua to chat the Palau Mini Games, football, cricket, rugby, surfing and more.

Faith Kasiray was the tallest of the girls at training and her brother made her try for goalkeeper, fast forward to now and Kasiray has represented Papua New Guinea at an international level. Patricia Keamo chats to Faith Kasiray about her accidental journey, a 'never stop learning' attitude and the new role fostering the goalies of the future.

Also joining Sam Wykes is Melissa Fare who talks Vanuatu basketball with Terrence Coleman as well as covering the Mini Games. There's also tennis, rugby league and para-athletics on the cards so don't sleep on all the latest Pacific Island sports news from the week.

Flag football will be at the 2028 LA Olympics and Fetu Samoa representative Shontelle Stowers is giving it her all to make the Australian team. Stowers is loving learning a new sport and the next 18 months are crucial as Australia tries to qualify and she uses her experience and leadership to help guide the group which features a few other Pasifika women.

Sam is also joined by Finau Vulivuli from Fiji and Kalo Manu-Moli from Tonga to discuss the latest sports news from across the Pacific.

Balancing study with playing netball for Fiji has its challenges but 19-year-old Nina Nakula wouldn't have it any other way. Ahead of the Youth Netball World Cup later this year, Nakula talks about the inspiration of her aunties, why she didn't take netball seriously for so long and how many times she's used the excuse of playing for Fiji to miss exams.

Sam Wykes is also joined by Solomon Islands journalist Priestley Habru to chat about Pacific sports news from the worlds of football, swimming, rugby union, athletics, cricket and much more.