Hall of fame to inspire next generation to 'lead, excel and serve'

An exciting new initiative to expand the Pacific influence on world sport has been launched this weekend in South Auckland.

All Black legend Savae Sir Michael Jones and four-time Super Bowl winner Seiuli Jessie Sapolu, announced the establishment of the Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame (PRHOF) at Pacific Media Network headquarters in front of both local dignitaries and a live audience beaming in from around the world.

Watch the full interview on 531pi's Pacific Grandstand:

The launch was attended by a host of sporting superstars and prominent community leaders including four-time Rugby World Cup winner and ex-Black Ferns captain Seiuli Fioao’o Fa’amausili, former Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio, former All Black Saveatama Eroni Clarke, Dawn Raid Entertainment founder Andy "Brother D" Leaoasavai'i, Manu Samoa legend Lemalu Silao Vaisola and former captain of the Samoan women’s team Cynthia Ta’ala Timaloa.

Savae says the hall of fame will not only honour and celebrate the contribution of Pacific’s rugby heroes but also help more young people to take the “lead, excel and serve their people”.

“Our Pacific influence runs deep in the world of rugby,” he says.

“The Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame will further mobilise the Pacific rugby global diaspora, and provide a credible and authentic platform to honour our legends, past and present, and celebrate the growing Pasifika contribution to the game across the rugby landscape.”

Nadene Lomu, centre, alongside some of the sporting legends who attended the launch of the Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame, including All Blacks legend Savae Sir Michael Jones and four-time Super Bowl winner Seiuli Jessie Sapolu. Photo/ PMN News

Jonah’s wife Nadene has endorsed this special award and attended the launch alongside her sons Brayley and Dhyreille. She says her husband would be very proud to see how his legacy was being used to benefit future generations.

“For the boys and I, this is protecting and honouring Jonah’s legacy in a way that I know he would be really proud to have,” she says.

“Especially with Jonah’s anniversary this week, having the connection to that, this is truly what Jonah did stand for, and he would be really honoured to be part of this.

The inaugural Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame Celebration Ceremony will be held in early 2024, in Auckland.

As well as the Jonah Lomu Memorial Award, the ceremony will name the Pasifika Coach of the Year, Pasifika Women’s Player of the Year, Pasifika Breakthrough Player of the Year and Pasifika Administrator of the Year.

The creation of the Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame has taken a lead from the Polynesian Football
Hall of Fame, established ten years ago to honour the Polynesian contribution to gridiron football.

The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame is chaired by former NFL All-Pro and four-time Super Bowl champion with the San Francisco 49ers, Seiuli Jessie Sapolu, who is also a member of the Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame USA committee.

Seiuli says as a boy growing up in Samoa, Sir Bryan Williams was one of his biggest heroes and he hopes this hall of fame can act as a catalyst for more Pacific youth to serve their communities through sport.

“When we found out Bryan WIlliams was part-Samoan, every kid was running around trying to copy him - that’s the pride that this hall of fame can be to all of the South Pacific.

“There’s huge possibilities for what we can accomplish and I know for a fact it will be successful because it’s already been a success in America, where we only have a small population who play in the NFL.”

Savae Sir Michael Jones will be joined on the PRHOF board by Black Ferns legend Seiuli Fioao’o Fa’amausili, former All Black Pita Alatini, Manu Samoa legend Lemalu Silao Vaisola, and Cynthia Ta’ala Timaloa, former captain of the Samoa Women’s team, Manu Sina.

And there will also be a US arm of PRHOF which will build on its close working relationship with the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, to grow the influence of Pacific people in the US rugby landscape ahead of the 2031 Rugby World Cup in the United States.

For more information, visit www.PasifikaRugby.org.