From the pitch to the ring: Our sporting picks to watch in 2025

Monuina e tau foou! We’re into another year of sports, and there’s much to look forward to. Here’s what we can look forward to in 2025.

Women’s Rugby World Cup

Women’s Rugby continues to set the world alight as teams prepare for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in August.

The World Champion Black Ferns will look to retain their World Cup glory after their gritty win against the English Roses in 2022 at a sold-out Eden Park.

The competition heads North as the UK prepares to host 16 teams, including Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Sāmoa, who will represent our corner of the Pacific.

While the Black Ferns are eager to stamp their dominance in World Rugby, after their losses in the Perth Sevens series final and to the English Roses in 2024, Black Ferns coach Sir Wayne Smith will need to keep an eye on the Super Rugby Aupiki season for putting together a strong side.

For the first time, too, Fiji and Sāmoa will compete in the games after some epic qualifying games last year. All that and more as the World Cup kicks off later this year!

Boxing/UFC Bouts for Athletes Down Under

There are high expectations that our corner of the world will continue to dominate combat sports, UFC and professional boxing, this year.

Black Ferns and All Blacks during a pre-season signing session. Photo/All Blacks media.

We’ve had David Nyika and Jai Opetaia compete in the Gold Coast for the IBF and The Ring cruiserweight world titles opening the year, and in February, former IBO Heavyweight Champion Lupesoliai Laauli Joseph Parker will face Daniel Dubois for the IBF Heavyweight Championship.

Former IBO Bantamweight World Champion Mea Motus’ fight at the weekend further proved the intense competitiveness of our athletes in our corner of the world.

Despite listing the world title, she continues to pose a threat in the Bantamweight Division.

In UFC, Nigerian-New Zealand MMA fighter Israel Adesanya returns to Fight Night in the first non-pay-per-view event he has fought on in years) to work his way back into the Middleweight World Title picture.

Carlos Ulberg continues his tear on the Light-Heavyweight Division in search of his first title challenge, an achievement I believe he will reach before the end of the year.

Destanee Aiava and Tennis

Now, I’m not much of a tennis guy, but when I saw videos of “che-hoos” following Destanee Aiava's historic win, I thought, ‘How good is this sport?’

In an interview with the Weekend Ticket, Aiava said there is not much Pasifika representation in tennis, and she’s right!

When I look at tennis and the representation of people of colour, I think of the Williams sisters, Naomi Osaka, and Nick Kyrgios. It’s with those athletes that I can connect with the sport, and it sparks my interest in discovering more.

With Aiava now being the first Pasifika athlete to win a first-round match in a grand slam competition, I think it's a huge drawcard for attracting more attention to the sport and interest from our Pacific communities.

Aiava credited Serena Williams with her entrance into the sport, and now she will receive credit from many young Pasifika players for getting them into the sport, too.

I think she’ll have a huge year.

5-Peat for the Panthers?

Ah. The mighty Penrith Panthers.

I don’t want to jinx it, but I think the Panthers will have a real shot at going for another premiership. Perhaps they won’t win, but I think their professionalism and poise will sustain them as a top team in the NRL, despite not winning a premiership since 2021 and losing nearly three-quarters of their side to other teams.

We saw Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva head to the Tigers, Stephen Crichton captain the Bulldogs, Spencer Leniu stand strong for the Roosters, and James Fisher-Harris come home to the Warriors.

With the Panthers' talent pool now spread across the league teams, I think the NRL will see the most competitive season this year. I hope the Warriors will make a run for the finals again!

WWE’s The Bloodline Saga Continues

The WWE is riding high on the momentum of its groundbreaking Bloodline Saga. This storyline has captivated millions and spotlighted its Polynesian stars like The Rock, Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa, and The Usos.

In 2024, fans were hooked as family loyalties were shattered, culminating in Roman Reigns reclaiming his "Tribal Chief" title from Solo Sikoa at Survivor Series.

Now, Solo’s faction - featuring Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Jacob Fatu - is wreaking havoc across the WWE roster. At the same time, The Rock, aka "The Final Boss," has stirred the pot with a surprising promo praising Cody Rhodes on WWE’s Netflix debut.

With Roman Reigns mysteriously absent since regaining his throne, speculation is rampant: Is The Rock’s truce with Rhodes a red herringon or the calm before another storm in this epic saga?

Matty’s Golden Point

“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.”

Michael Jordan