Tongan Australian legend and the first captain of Moana Pasifika, Sekope Kepu is all about Pasifika cultural celebration. Kepu explores his Tongan family's journey to NZ and Australia, his heartbreak missing out on representing the Ikale Tahi due to injury and how he strives to incorporate culture into high performance.

We also hear Shellie Long's thoughts on the NRLW expansion, learn about why Niuean bees are special and of course go deep on the big weekend of footy.

Sam is back from his latest Fiji trip and with the field almost underwater for the two Drua games, he tell us about the Force having to change plans and how the local frogs rattled the WA team. We also hear Sala Togatuki's caution with the NRLW expansion, get the lowdown on the Pasifika Rugby Union hall of fame as well as the Manu Samoa coaching news from Toutai Kefu.

One of the brightest stars in women's rugby union is Faitala Moleka and we discover how she went from almost pursuing music to debuting for the Wallaroos at age 18. Moleka also clears up her heritage for a confused Sam and puts him at ease saying rugby union is the game for her.

We've got some Vanuatu facts for 'Culture Shock' plus there's a ton of footy to look at including the NRL, Super Rugby, Super W and a massive weekend of Women's National Championships that saw PNG and Fiji shine bright.

Jumping in for Sam (who's on his fortnightly Fiji trip) is the only man to captain Cook Islands in League and Union, Tupou Sopoaga. Tinirau and Tupou discuss the NRL's multicultural round, how quickly the Super season can slip away with a few losses, serve up a Samoan rice dish and go deep on the upcoming weekend of sport with Sala Togatuki and Toutai Kefu.

The man of the moment who scored one of the greatest tries in NRL history, PNG Kumul and Melbourne Storm winger Xavier Coates, joins us on Nesian Footy. As well as dissecting that try, the training that goes into it, how he would defend it and why his long jump history might help him launch like that, we chat about Coates' Papua New Guinea heritage and who at the Storm has helped him in his cultural journey.

We also hear from our Nth QLD Cowboys and PNG Orchid Shellie Long about her mammoth travels to play in the QLD Cup this week plus there’s a wild debut story for the Waratahs this week for Jay Fonokalafi.

Hear a full Pasifika preview of the footy weekend with plenty of Nesian stars on display in the NRL, Super Rugby and Super W. Our mates Sala Togatuki and Toutai Kefu drop by and Kefu tells us why those 'glue' players are crucial to keeping team morale high and how big Wendell Sailor was one he loved having around.

There's also some abysmal tipping from Sam, a Tongan horse recipe and a 'who am I?' from Professor Paulo.

She's represented Fetu Samoa in League, the Wallaroos in Union and all after having two kids - Pauline Piliae-Rasabale is an inspiration for Pasifika women who want to do it all. Piliae-Rasabale opens up on her motivations to switch codes, the emotion of playing for Samoa and her pride in her two boys seeing their mum play footy at the highest level.

We also go deep on the rounds of footy, hear from Tinirau's tattooist in Rarotonga and Shellie's first game of the year is a big success.

We're back for another Friday edition of Nesian Footy with our mates Sala Togatuki and Toutai Kefu joining Sam & Tinirai. We discuss the fallout from Las Vegas and what can be done to stamp out racism from the home to the footy field, why it seems rugby union is fighting itself and there's some bold predictions all round for the NRL season ahead.

Nina Foaese and Moana Courtenay are two of the inspiring women playing for the combined Samoan and Tongan Rugby Union team, Penina Pasifika, in the hope that they join the Super W in the coming seasons. We hear about the sacrifices they made to take this opportunity, why they put their life on hold for it and what the feeling was like scoring the first Penina try.

You'll also get a full wrap on the mega NRL launch in Las Vegas, Super round in Melbourne and things get heated in Nesian Knowledge.

It's a big week in both footy codes with the NRL launching season 2024 in Las Vegas and rugby union taking up residence in Melbourne with all Super games there this week. Toutai Kefu and Sala Togatuki will help preview both those big events, plus we'll hear about new funding for Pacific Rugby and a new recipe of the week.