Mystics back-to-back champions, Warriors’ season shut down

It’s been another big week in the wide world of sports. As competition in Paris is beginning to conclude, the sporting world is still buzzing. All except for my beloved Warriors who lost.

1. Olympics round out competition

The Paris Games conclude this weekend, and this year has brought all the thrill and agony to the world. For team Pacific, excitement brewed when the Fijians flew to the Rugby Sevens final. But it turned sombre when devastation struck Team Sāmoa’s camp after losing their boxing coach.

Fiji is still the only country in Team Pacific to collect a medal, a silver in the men’s sevens. For other Pacific nations, the Paris Olympics have had historic appearances.

Feo’ofa’aki Epenisa became the first ever female to represent Tonga at the Olympics. And 30 years after their debut, Epenisa has etched her name in Tongan sporting history as the first woman to compete in boxing.

Three of our Pacific athletes were part of the Black Ferns’ historic back-to-back gold medal wins against Canada for the Rugby Sevens women’s title. A fitting result for the world’s best.

And a young i-Kiribati athlete became the youngest ever athlete to compete in the track and field event at the Olympics. 16 year-old Kanez Kaniwete raced in the 100m, clocking in a personal best.

This years’ games have been a memorable one, a few of our athletes are still to compete this week - so be sure to get behind them!

2. Northern Mystics win back-to-back competition

The Northern Mystics have done it again! Back-to-back champions, beating the Central Pulse in a nail-biter on Sunday night, winning 54-53. This is the Mystics’ third win in the ANZ Championships in the past four years.

It was an intense and physical match between the two sides. At the end of the quarters, scores were separated by one point. Samoan centre Peta Toeva was clinical with her delivery to GS Grace Nweke in the shooting circle.

The scores were locked in the last moments of the game, until Nweke iced the game scoring in the last second. The girls jumped for joy and excitement after the final whistle blew.

It marks a historic moment for the Mystics, and it’s been great to cover a few of their Pacific superstars throughout the year. Congratulations!

Grace Nweke, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson and Peta Toeava. Photo/Northern Mystics Media.

3. Warriors slump to Eels at home

The Warriors’ season may likely be over. Their upsetting loss against the 16th-placed Parramatta Eels 30-20 in front of a sold-out Mt Smart Stadium wraps up what their season has been.

The opening minutes of the match was closely contested, as both teams weren’t able to score when they were in their opponents’ red zone. But the Warriors lacked any attacking flair, and blew several scoring opportunities.

The home side's defence was not up to standard in the second half, as the Eels looked too comfortable on the front foot, scoring a number of easy tries. And despite a last-ditch effort in the remaining 10 minutes from the Warriors, the Eels’ lead was too much to topple. It was too little, too late.

The Wahs will need a miracle ending to make the NRL finals. As it looks, the season might be over.

Watch our sports wrap on 531PI's Pacific Mornings:

4. The Tribal Chief Returns!

After more than 100 days, the “Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns has returned to the WWE! We haven’t seen him since he lost the WWE Championship at Wrestlemania 40 in April, but at last night's Summerslam - Reigns shook the WWE world returning to the ring.

Reigns' return was expected by fans across the world, as Solo Sikoa and the “new Bloodline” have been running rampant in the WWE. With the inclusion of Jacob Fatu, and Solo Sikoa as the new “Tribal Chief”, the Bloodline were determined to remain a dominant faction.

Reigns’ donned a t-shirt with “OTC” printed across the front, an abbreviation for “Original Tribal Chief”. Running into the ring, Reigns speared Solo Sikoa, in a move that revealed the real leader is back!

Sikoa was in the midst of a championship match against Cody Rhodes, the man who dethroned Reigns at Wrestlemania 40. With the interference, Reigns stared down Rhodes as to say they will have another match in the near future.

5. Overtime Podcast

By the way, we have a podcast. Our “Overtime” podcast has filmed its 10th episode and we’ve been unpacking some of the biggest sporting events and news over the year.

Throughout our podcast we’ve interviewed a number of sports journalists, Olympic athletes, and unpacked a lot of the goodies. Our podcast is an extension of the Pacific Grandstand show with league legend Willie Poching.

Join us every week and get some key insight from Poching, and myself Matt Manukuo.

Matty’s Golden Point

Matty’s Golden Point is a piece of advice shared on 531PI’s Pacific Grandstand show.

No matter how far you get ahead of me, I’m gonna catch you.That’s my mentality.

- Usain Bolt