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 confidence restored and a new code to master, Martha Mataele is ready to take on the next chapter of her playing career.

Rugby League World Cup 2026 draws and fixtures have dropped and it has Tinirau and Shellie Long excited. Sammy is having some unreal luck on 'Gimme Three'. 

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 left to preview, things may be quieter on the NRL front, but there’s still plenty to chat about, especially with R360 looming over the competition which Tinirau may or may not have a solution to. Sam recaps a weekend of highs and lows for  fans across the Pacific, breaking down Fiji’s performance, the Wallabies’ latest loss, and Samoa’s efforts across the region.

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 celebrations continue after a massive weekend for the Aitu, who secured their Rugby League World Cup spot. Meanwhile, Sammy reminds us it’s not all doom and gloom for Samoa, with Manu Samoa clinching the final Men’s Rugby World Cup berth after a strong win over Brazil.

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 his favourite moments as we farewell some Pacific nations and lock in the Grand Final matchups. After a tough campaign for the PNG Orchids, Shellie Long highlights the importance of continued development in the women’s game. And to everyone's dismay, Sam gets geographical in this week’s 'Gimmie Three' - putting Bloemfontein on the map. 

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.

PNG Kumuls veteran John Wilshere has witnessed the evolution of the national side, from a decade-long playing career to his current role as team manager. With the Pacific Championships underway and plans for a PNG NRL franchise gaining momentum, Wilshere is optimistic about the future, seeing new opportunities for the next generation of Kumuls and the nation as a whole.

Meanwhile, Sammy’s feeling as blue as the Samoan flag after his Tongan side fell to their Pacific rivals over the weekend &  Shontelle Stowers tags in for Tinirau in to rub a little extra salt in the wound. And despite being on a time crunch, Shellie Long still delivers all the highs and lows from the women’s Pacific Championships.

Milan Volavola is a Fijian player agent to Mark Nawaqanitawase, Siua Wong and plenty more stars and joins us today to chat about bringing Pacific culture and values to the agency space. We also hear how R360 could be a positive for players in the Islands and what the new Japanese rugby rules mean for young Pasifika players.

As well, it's a bumper weekend of Rugby League in the Pacific Championships and former Fetu Samoa player Shontelle Stowers joins Sam Wykes to go through all the games plus Fiji Bulikula's World Cup deciding match this weekend.

Just weeks after giving up Rugby Union to focus on Rugby League, Samoan Taytana Pati Ah-Cheung hopped on a flight to NZ to trial for Manusina. It wasn't long after that she was flying to the UK for the Rugby World Cup and we hear about this incredible story, what it was like at the huge event and just how proud her family was.

Tinirau and Sam get stuck into the first four games of the Pacific Championships alongside Shellie Long plus there's a lot of love for the Tongan boys heading back to the motherland.

200 episodes in and the boys are still loving what they do. Tinirau’s rubbing his hands together with some of the best match-ups in rugby league history as the Pacific Championships kick off this week. Sammy shares his thoughts on the latest R360 news, and the boys give Sala a bit of stick about her pre-season training after a few weeks off, but send her off with love as she gears up with the Jillaroos.