All Blacks suffer historic loss while South Island school reigns supreme

Taloha ni! With only three months left for 2024, things are heating up in the sports world. The All Blacks suffered another historic loss while the NRL finals draw is confirmed. It’s been an exciting week, so let’s get stuck in!

1. All Blacks loss marks a first in 75 years

The mighty aura of the All Blacks has taken another hit after suffering a historic loss to the Springboks in Cape Town. Their first history-making loss was against Argentina in Wellington, after conceding the most points at a home venue.

On Sunday morning, the ABs’ 18-12 loss meant they suffered their fourth consecutive loss to South Africa for the first time in 75 years. That is crazy.

Scott Robertson made four changes to the starting line-up to take on the world champions in their must-win game in Cape Town. One of those changes was youngster Wallace Sititi, who made his first start for the All Blacks. His attacking prowess made for some exciting moments against the Boks.

Both sides came out firing right from the start, and despite looking stronger in some exchanges, the All Blacks failed to contain the world champions in the final stretch. Two missed penalties from Damian McKenzie in the final moments crippled his side’s chances of stealing a win.

A late yellow-card to Tyrel Lomax saw the All Blacks finish the match with 14-men, and the Springboks closed out the match with a try to Malcolm Marx. The loss also means the Springboks reclaim the Freedom Cup for the first time since 2009.

Wallace Sititi made his starting debut for the All Blacks. Photo/All Blacks media.

2. Pacific Nations Cup finals confirmed

Fiji’s thrashing against the ‘Ikale Tahi has secured their semi-final spots in the 2024 Pacific Championship. The Flying Fijians won 50-19 at Teufaiva Stadium in Tonga and are headed to the finals with extra confidence.

Fiji will now face the USA Eagles in the first semi-final, while Manu Samoa face Japan in the second semi-final this weekend. Meanwhile, Tonga faces Canada to decide 5th place.

If Fiji and Samoa are successful, it will set-up for an exciting rematch to their match in the early pool stages of the tournament. Fiji will need to keep on the attacking pressure throughout the match, and make use of their opportunities in open space.

Samoa will need to refine their second-half performance in this matchup against Japan. If their physicality at the breakdown is as good as it was when they faced the ‘Ikale Tahi, they will have a good chance against the Japanese.

3. John Parker defends WBA Oceania title against Fijian fighter

Fijian boxer Alvireti Kauyaca carried the hopes of his nation as he battled John Parker for the WBO Oceania Cruiserweight title on Saturday night. Kauyaca went down to Parker by unanimous decision in an intense 10-round bout.

Kauyaca, who is the current Fijian Cruiserweight Champion, fought valiantly against John Parker, putting on pressure from the first round.

The Fijians quick hand speed kept John Parker at bay, using his jabs and hooks to back the defending champion up. Parker kept in the fight, offering jabs of his own, absorbing several punches from the Fijian and staying in the fight.

In the closing rounds, Kauyaca pressed on and looked eager to close out the fight. But Parker was able to hold on in the clinch, and close out the bout and secure a win.

Watch the full sports wrap on Pacific Mornings:

4. NRL finals confirmed

The NRL finals are locked in! The fight for eighth position has seen the Newcastle Knights and the Manly Sea Eagles secure their place in 7th and 8th place, securing their spot in the finals.

The defending champion Penrith Panthers secured a home-semi final against the Sydney Roosters, while the Minor Premiership winners Melbourne Storm host the Sydney Roosters.

And the Bulldogs make their first finals appearance in eight years, and will face the Manly Sea Eagles in an elimination finals. Manly are in search for their first premiership victory since 2011.

Here are my predictions for how the NRL finals will look in the next week:

Penrith Panthers (2) vs Sydney Roosters (3) - prediction: Penrith Panthers 8-6

Melbourne Storm (1) vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (4) - prediction: Melbourne Storm 22-6

North Queensland Cowboys (5) vs Newcastle Knights (8) - prediction: North Queensland Cowboys 32-10

Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs (6) vs Manly Sea Eagles (7) - prediction: Manly Sea Eagles 23-22

5. St Thomas’s High School go back-to-back

The South Island’s bragging rights as the best high school rugby league region has been extended another year, after St Thomas’s High School beat De La Salle College in the National First XIII grand final. The defending champions narrowly edged out a valiant De La Salle College 24-18 in a nail-biting final.

Riding high on their 2023 triumph, St Thomas’s stormed onto the field hungry for back-to-back glory. With an unblemished record throughout the tournament, including a previous victory over De La Salle, the pressure was on their opponents to upset the reigning champs.

St Thomas’s exploded out of the gates, scoring a try in the opening minute. Staying on the pressure, St Thomas’s hammered two more converted tries edging away with an 18-0 lead.

But De La Salle refused to roll over, roaring back with two converted tries of their own – including spectacular length of the field try – closing the gap to a 18-12 at halftime.

De La Salle came agonizingly close to leveling the score, with a try controversially ruled as held up and a behind-the-back pass inches from glory called forward. St Thomas’s capitalized on a penalty, surging downfield to land a crucial try. Though De La Salle managed one last try, it wasn't enough to dethrone the champions.

When the final whistle blew, St Thomas’s stood tall, etching their names into history once more with a thrilling 24-18 victory!

Matty's Golden Point

Matty's Golden Point is a piece of advice shared on 531PI's Pacific Grandstand Show.

Grab a shovel and have a dig.