Matty’s On the Five: The Tribal Chief and Final Boss look unstoppable, Black Ferns Sevens cruise to three-peat and the NZ Warriors pummel the Rabbitohs

Three hundred and ninety-eight combined points in the NRL, 250 combined points in Super Rugby Pacific and millions of viewers tuning in for Wrestlemania 40, all meant this weekend did not disappoint!

The April sports season has started off with a bang, so let’s get stuck into the biggest moments over the weekend.

1. The Tribal Chief and Final Boss power through night one of Wrestlemania

It was unreal watching the Rock and Roman Reigns walk out victorious for their historic Wrestlemania match side by side, with the Rock holding the Peoples' Championship belt, while Roman held the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship title.

The Rock returned to the ring for the first time in eleven years, and at 51-years-old he didn’t miss a beat. The highly anticipated main event featured Cody Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins. Cody needed a win to ensure his main event fight on night two of Wrestlemania against Roman Reigns would be rid of the Bloodline.

The match lasted 44 minutes with the brawl spilling into the crowd, up the ramp and all over the show! The Rock would flaunt his "heel" attitude taunting Cody Rhodes' mother sitting in the crowd, spitting on Rhodes and Rollins and forcing the referee to bend the rules in his favour.

In the heat of the battle, Rollins and Rhodes looked certain to beat Reigns in the ring putting on finishing moves while the Rock laid in the corner of the ring. When the Rock got up, Roman Reigns accidentally speared him - as Rollins moved Rhodes out of the way.

The Rock screamed in agony, while there was a shocked look on Reigns face, before the brawl continued. The Rock would recover from the spear, and hit Cody Rhodes with his "Rock Bottom” and “People's Elbow” moves before pinning Rhodes to win the match.

Later today, Cody Rhodes faces Roman Reigns in a Bloodline Rules match - which will allow members of the Bloodline to interfere to assist Reigns . With the big question being, will Roman’s 1300 days as title holder end tonight?

2. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck scores in 200th NRL game as the Warriors pummel the Rabbitohs

Twenty tests for the Kiwis, 116 games for the Warriors, 84 games for the Roosters, along with three caps as an All Black and a Dally M award, all culminating in this kid from Ōtara finally reaching 200 NRL games.

RTS ran out on the wing for this milestone game, as the Warriors faced the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium in Sydney. It was a position he specialized in during his time playing for the Roosters, and it was also the same stadium where he rose to stardom from 2013 - 2015.

Tuivasa-Sheck was also a key part of the Warriors’ rampant run through the Rabbitohs, clocking up 162 metres and scoring a try in the right corner. Veteran Shaun Johnson starred as well in the game, going over for two tries and setting up a few for his team mates.

And returning to the fullback position, Charnze Nicholl-Klokstad looked like he never missed a game - running 263 meters at fullback and being clinical in the Warriors’ attack. After the game, CNK was quick to praise RTS for 200 games, saying Roger has been inspirational for him and many other youngsters playing the game.

Black Ferns and All Black Sevens claimed the Hong Kong 7s title.

3. Black Ferns Sevens cruise to three-peat in 2024 sevens circuit

The Black Ferns Sevens cruised to their third straight title of the season, winning the Hong Kong Sevens after beating the USA women’s side 36 - 7, while the All Blacks Sevens won a tight battle against France 10 - 7, ensuring both New Zealand sides were able to raise the Hong Kong Sevens trophy.

It’s the second year in a row both sides have won the Hong Kong Sevens in front of 70,000 fans at the “spiritual home” of Rugby Sevens.

This tournament win puts the Black Ferns first equal with Australia in the series standings, while the All Black Sevens move up to fifth place. Both teams are now in good position, ahead of the Olympics later this year, to push for a coveted gold medal.

4. Upsetting losses for both Pacific sides in Super Rugby

Moana Pasifika and the Fiji Drua both suffered gutting losses at the weekend, with a combined 109 points ran in against both sides. Moana Pasifika lost to the Chiefs 58 - 6, and the Drua lost to the Rebels 41 - 8.

The Chiefs ran rampant against Moana Pasifika at FMG Stadium, with ten tries going to the home side. Moana’s defence was to their detriment again, letting the Chiefs march down the field, break tackles and score clinical tries.

Moana’s only try came after a strong run from veteran Julian Savea in the right corner, followed by Melani Matavao picking up a quick ball and scoring.

The Drua looked promising in the first half, scoring three tries and going up 12 points against the home side. Their downfall began with a yellow card late in the first half, which saw the Rebels cross the line before half time.
Drua’s star halfback Frank Lomani was given a red card following an elbow to the back of the head of Rebels lock Josh Cannum. Another red card was given to Drua prop after a headbutt in frustration before the final whistle.

5. NRL stars take field in Fox Memorial warm up

The 2024 Fox Memorial season has kicked off and there were a number of former NRL players gearing up for local Auckland clubs.

At the Ōtara Scorpions playing in the centres, Warriors legend Manu Vatuvei geared up for his former club as they faced the Papakura Eagles on Saturday. Vatuvei scored a try from the scrum against the Eagles, as his teammates jumped in joy to celebrate with the veteran.

Meanwhile at the Richmond Rovers topside, former Warriors and Toa Samoa representative James Gavet started at prop - while former Warriors fullback, and Kiwis representative Kevin Locke started at halfback for the team.

The Scorpions lost to the Eagles 38 - 20, and Richdmond went down to Te Atatu Roosters 18 - 16.

Matty’s Golden Point

Matty’s Golden Point is a point of advice shared every week on his segment ‘Overtime with Matty’ on the Pacific Grandstand Show on 531PI.

“I do everything like I do anything, with all I got!”

Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson