Cross code Pasifika superstar Mark Nawaqanitawase has plenty of big calls to make and we hear just how much family plays a role in his decision making process. With home World Cups in both Rugby Union and League and cultural ties to Fiji, Australia and Italy, Nawaqanitawase chats to Sam & Tinirau about the best bits of both codes, why his little brother thinks he might qualify for Tonga and how long it took him to spell his own last name as a kid.

The boys also dive into the NRL prelims, discuss why so many Manu Samoa players left before their World Cup qualifier against Chile plus Shellie Long drops by to chat NRLW finals and the end of the Women's Rugby World Cup.

NB: Mark Nawaqanitawase chat at 29:25

It's the penultimate weekend of the year in the NRL and NRLW and Tinirau and Sam dissect where each game might be won and which Nesian players hold the key.

Nemani Kuridrani is by to cheers to the Fijian success in the PNC as well as toast the Ikale Tahi plus break down how Samoa can beat Chile in Chile to make the World Cup.

Representing Fetu Samoa was the highlight of Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala's footy career even though she wanted to hand back the captaincy every day for the first two weeks. Raised alongside 12 siblings, Nu'uausala chats about feeling like a whole other person in the Fetu Samoa jersey, playing while her Dad was sick before his passing and she gives some advice for young female footy players.

Sam & T also go through the Fijian win in the Pacific Nations Cup plus Tonga's great result and Samoa's decider. Plus four teams drop out of the NRL and NRLW finals and the boys chat about where each game was won and lost and which Nesian players stood up.

Tinirau breaks down the two NRL elimination finals this weekend as we prepare to say goodbye to two clubs for the 2025 season. Sam has his fingers crossed for Samoa as they face Chile in a do-or-die clash for a spot at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Nemani Kuridrani shares his first impressions of the Drua’s latest signing, lock Jeniro Whakeham. And Sala Togatuki reflects on her season with the Tigers before sharing she’s ready to return for the Pacific Championships.

A rising star in Papua New Guinea rugby league, Dudley Dotoi is hoping to continue his try scoring abilities for the Kumuls soon. After representing PNG in the PM’s XIII game and being the leading try scorer in the Qld Cup this year, Dotoi chats about his first visits back to the motherland, playing against the Hunters in Port Moresby and feeling like the enemy and why he nearly missed his chance at playing for PNG due to a broken phone.

Sam & Tinirau also run through the blockbuster NRL finals, the Pacific Nations Cup win for Fiji and alongside Shellie Long, what the NRLW finals are looking like. Plus, T is on his spelling bee tip again and Sam ain’t happy.

NB: Dudley Dotoi interview at 34 mins

We’re down to the business end of the NRL, with week one of finals leaving Tinirau on the fence about his picks. Sam finally delivers the news he and T have been waiting weeks for: Lukhan Salakaia-Loto is back on the Wallabies bench. 

Nemani Kuridrani puts on his analyst hat once again, this time impressed by Samoa’s efforts in the Pacific Nations Cup. Meanwhile, Sala Togatuki reflects on her time under Brett Kimmorley as he steps back from his role as the Tigers’ inaugural NRLW coach.  

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.

NB: Jack Debreczeni chat at 29:30

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.

NB: Essay Banu chat at 33:30

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.