Matty’s On the Five: Penina Pasifika debut, Warriors return home and Moana Pasifika show good signs in season debut

The sporting world is heating up as Super Rugby kicks off, the NRL pre-season challenge ends and a new age for women’s rugby begins.

1. Penina Pasifika debut in Super W competition

It was labeled as a “historical moment” on their Instagram account, as 29 Pacific women ran out for the first time as the Penina Pasifika.

Penina Pasifika became the newest addition to the women’s rugby Super W competition after taking the field against the Queensland Reds women at the weekend. Penina Pasifika lost 17-7 in their first match.

Penina becomes the second Pacific team in the Super W, following the Fijiana Drua who last year, won their second straight championship.

Though the women lost their first match, player Vineta Teutau etched her name in history as the first ever try-scorer for the side.

2. Moana Pasifika come close to win in Dunedin

It was a strong start for Moana Pasifika, leading at the half against the Highlanders in Dunedin. The Highlanders' ill-discipline gave away two penalty goals early on, allowing Tongan international William Havili to convert.

The home side continued to charge against the Moana line, opening space for Fijian Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens to score. Ratumaitavuki also set up their next try which came in the following minutes.

Eager to retaliate, Moana Pasifika showed skillful ball play which gave them two tries in five minutes putting the homeside under pressure, to have them leading at half-time 18 - 14.

Another penalty goal early in the second half put Moana with a seven point lead, but Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens scored again to put the Highlanders in front. Another try late in the half sealed it for the Highlanders, as Moana was unable to hold on.

3. RTS returns to fullback in Warriors pre-season win

I was quite surprised to see Roger Tuivasa-Sheck sweeping behind the Warriors defensive line, but how good was it to see him back at Go Media Mt Smart Stadium. The Warriors won their first match of the year, 32 - 22 against the Dolphins.

The boys from Penrose came out firing in the first half, with tries from Marcelo Montoya, Mitchell Barnett and a beautiful intercept from Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. The home side looked powerful on both attack and defense, showing a lot of grit on both sides of the pitch.

In the second half, young Taine Tuaupiki was replaced at fullback by Roger Tuivasa-Sheck who showed his elite versatility returning to his former position. The Warriors spine looked strong as both halves Johnson and Metcalf joined to put over two brilliant tries from Rocco Berry and Marata Niukore.

The Dolphins fired off late in the second half, putting up two tries to put them within striking distance of the Warriors. But thanks to a RTS short ball, Ali Leaitatua was able to crash over on the right edge, sealing the game for the home side.

4. Panthers dealt bad hand in World Club Challenge

A controversial try awarded to the Wigan Warriors, which looked very much like a double-movement, overshadowed their win over the three-time NRL premiers, the Penrith Panthers - as the World Club challenge ended 16-12 in England.

The Panthers retained a lot of their stars who played in last year’s grand final - but this time without three of their top men: Stephen Chrichton (Bulldogs), Spencer Leniu (Roosters) and Jarome Luai (injury). The notable impact of playing without those three, especially on attack was clear.

The Wigan Warriors were strong though, able to nullify the Panthers’ attack and showed a lot of power on defense against Penrith's tough forward pack. The sides went back and forth in the first half, with Penrith leading at the half 12 - 10.

Wigan were awarded a try in the 52nd minute that had the rugby league world up in arms, because of a possible double movement. A double movement occurs when the ball is grounded in a tackle, and the ball carrier lifts the ball again to put it down over the line. But it was not ruled, and Wigan were awarded the try. Wigan were disallowed another try that would’ve sealed the game, and two late efforts by Panthers’ youngster Taylan May to score were also denied.

5. Tonga twins drop titles against Miami Sweet Heat

A slap in the face and a Tongan “splash” to the torso featured, as the Tonga Twins returned to the WOW ring in emphatic fashion. Kaoz and Kona came up against the Miami Sweet Heat Luscious Lindsey and Lovely Laurie Carlson.

The twins put on a powerful performance against their opponents, with a number of body slams in the middle of the ring. However, Kaoz Tonga faced some heat against her opponents and the fight continued outside the ring.

The twins looked in trouble as Kaoz was hit with an across the ring drop-kick from Lindsay, before the pair tagged in their partners who came in firing. A Tongan slam from both twins in the middle of the ring put Laurie in place for a Tongan splash.

Before the pin to win, Lindsay hit Kona Tonga in the back of the head with the tag-team belt resulting in her getting pinned and losing the titles in controversial fashion.