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 Fijiana get some success in their last Rugby World Cup game.

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.

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 reunite on Nesian Footy Monday for the first time since July so there's stacks to dig into including the NRL top 8 taking shape, Fiji's win over Tonga in the Pacific Nations Cup and Shellie Long is here too to chat more NRLW and the Women's World Cup.

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.

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 end of the NRL season, the Ikale Tahi victory over Manu Samoa and Shellie Long drops by with all the NRLW and Women's Rugby Union World Cup news.

NB: Paul Aiton interview at 32 mins

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. 

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 has chosen to play for Samoa and what a lot of the mainstream media are missing in the conversation. There's plenty of news in both codes plus Shellie Long is here for women's footy too.

NB: Interview with John Hopoate from 31:30

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.

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 nation he wants to play for on an international level.

Will Hopoate joins Sam Wykes to chat the new R360 project, the scary Panthers prospect and there's plenty of news and results in women's footy with Shellie Long.

NB: Charlie Gamble interview at 30 mins

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.