Matty’s Last On the Five: A reflection on the biggest moments of my sports coverage at PMN

Fakaalofa lahi atu! Yes, you read the headline right - this is my last sports wrap for PMN.

A huge thank you to everyone who has continued to follow sports every Monday.

For my final wrap, I’d like to spotlight five of the most significant sporting moments during my time as a reporter. So, let’s get started!

The Warriors' historic run in 2023

Up the Wahs! In 2023, following my favourite team’s remarkable success on the field became a movement.

Witnessing the Warriors transform into an iconic team was an honour.

Almost every week, I covered yet another Warriors' win, which, as any Wahs fan knows, is not something we experience often.

Finishing with 16 wins and reaching the NRL Preliminary Finals marked a huge step for the club. Go Media Stadium was sold out for every game, and fans around the world rallied behind the now-famous phrase: "Up the Wahs."

Attending press conferences, where I saw my heroes up close and had the chance to ask questions of players I had watched since childhood, was a dream come true. For example, asking Shaun Johnson who his favourite Pacific Warrior player was - unreal!

Go Media Stadium was sold out many times in 2023, a beautiful sight! Photo/NZ Warriors.

Hearing NRL broadcasters sing the Warriors’ praise week after week was a new and exciting experience.

I’ll always cherish that season, as it restored faith in our entire country for our team, the mighty New Zealand Warriors.

Ardie Savea signing with Moana Pasifika

This was a particularly special moment.

During my time as a journalist, covering Moana Pasifika presented challenges. I remember that in 2023, they were on a losing streak, and at a media conference, I was the only journalist present to interview the players.

It was a tough time for the team. Fans were losing interest, and the media didn’t provide the respect our boys deserved. But everything changed when the news broke that Ardie Savea was returning from Japan to join Moana Pasifika.

For a player of his calibre, with numerous accolades, to return and join Moana Pasifika - a team that represents our people - was truly inspiring. The move not only restored hope for Pacific fans but also garnered applause from the global rugby community.

At his first press conference after the announcement, the All Blacks superstar requested that only Pacific media outlets be present. That was something I had never seen before. As Pacific journalists, we often get sidelined.

His respect for us as Pacific media, providing us with exclusive time, reinforced his reasons for joining Moana Pasifika. Sitting alongside All Blacks legends Fa’alogo Tana Umaga and La’auli Sir Michael Jones as they answered questions created an unforgettable experience.

Wearing an Olympic Gold Medal from Black Ferns Sevens

We’ve celebrated their achievements over the past decade, and the Black Ferns solidified their reputation by winning gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

After an impressive pool-stage performance, they dominated the finals, beating Canada in a remarkable feat. The victory marked their third consecutive gold medal, with many players experiencing an emotional and decisive moment.

Black Ferns Sevens after beating Canada in the Olympics Gold Medal final. Photo/Black Ferns Sevens.

When Team New Zealand returned home, I had the opportunity to attend their welcome at the airport, where I interviewed Black Ferns stars Manaia Nuku and Tylah King (née Nathan-Wong) about what the victory meant to them.

Nuku offered me the chance to wear the gold medal, and it was an unforgettable experience, knowing the immense effort required to achieve such a prestigious honour.

It was also a privilege to highlight Team Pacific and follow along as our athletes from the Blue Continent made history.

The Bloodline Saga

You can’t deny the star power brought by our Pacific superstars in WWE.

I have sung their praises multiple times in our sports coverage, and last year’s Bloodline Saga was particularly special.

Watch the full sports wrap on Pacific Mornings.

With Roman Reigns, The Rock, and The Usos leading the way, they have put our Pacific culture at the forefront of one of the world's biggest sports entertainment industries.

The storyline culminated at WrestleMania 40, where Roman Reigns' unprecedented 1416-day title reign came to an end, and The Rock returned as a villainous "Final Boss”. It was an electrifying moment in sports entertainment!

Overtime podcast

One of my proudest moments at PMN was launching our first-ever sports podcast, Overtime.

I joined the Pacific Grandstand show in February last year to strengthen my sports knowledge. Alongside rugby league legend Willie Poching, I had the chance to chat about my favourite topic every week - sports!

My segment, “Overtime with Matty,” featured an hour of sports discussions with Willie. Eventually, the segment evolved into the podcast "Overtime”.

With 18 episodes and a wealth of online content, Willie and I were able to showcase and champion sporting legends, broadcasters, and journalists in our community.

I was extremely honoured and humbled to be a part of that team. It gave me a stronger sense of purpose and drive in my passion for sports within the media space.

Matty’s Golden Point

A little history about the ‘golden point’: at the end of every segment of “Overtime with Matty,” I would share a piece of wisdom or insight to inspire others involved in sports.

Sports have a beautiful way of bringing out the best in people. Throughout my time playing, I heard some of the most inspirational quotes from coaches, teammates, and managers.

Here is the last one:

“You either step forward into growth, or you step back into safety.”

As I take my next step, I choose growth, and I hope you do too.