Panthers secure fourth premiership as the Final Boss returns to the ring

Bula Vinaka! This week I’m reporting from Niue Island and despite the isolation over here, we will go again for another week of sports. O mai ke o!

1. Penrith Panthers secure historic fourth championship

I watched the biggest game of the year in a sports bar in Niue. In the last two minutes of the game, the Panthers were up by 6, I realised that I was witnessing history.

14-6, the mighty Penrith Panthers proved yet again that the NRL Grand Final is their territory.

My view from the All Relativf bar in Niue. Photo/PMN News/Matt Manukuo

It was a stalemate in the opening 20 minutes, as both sides battered each other going blow for blow. But it was the Melbourne Storm who struck first, with Harry Grant powering over the fatigued Panthers' defence.

Valiantly, the Panthers quickly struck back through Fijian flyer Sunia Turuva. Just before half-time, Lima Martin crossed over to put the Panthers ahead.

The Panthers kept the Storm scoreless through the second half, and youngster Paul Alamoti sealed the deal for the Sydney side.

The reigning champions looked too comfortable in the spotlight, and it felt as if every player played the game of their careers. The Storm looked unlike themselves and left the field distraught.

I’ll say it again, the Panthers are the real deal. The best team in the modern era! A huge thank you and farewell to our departing Pacific players Jarome Luai, Sunia Turuva, and James Fisher-Harris. Congratulations on the victory!

2. Sydney Roosters women win NRLW premiership

It’s been a great season for the NRLW with many cross-code stars coming into the fold, younger players striking their claim in the premier competition, more big hits, and more highlight-worthy tries.

In the grand final, the Sydney Roosters secured the win 32-28 against the Cronulla Sharks.

It was the Roosters' first win at Accor Stadium in five attempts at a Premiership, triumphing over the Sharks in a match that drew more than 40,000 fans.

Millie Elliott created history as the first woman to win premierships with three different clubs, while Brydie Parker became the only Rooster to feature in all four of the team's grand final appearances.

Sharks' captain and Tongan representative, Tiana Penitani, continued her impressive form with her seventh try in seven games.

The match marked the final outing for Sharks' players Holli Wheeler, Tayla Preston, and Tegan Dymock before their move to the Bulldogs.

3. Pacific Championship sides are named

The teams are in and it looks like we’re in store for a great representative series! Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, and Fiji have named their sides for the upcoming Pacific Championship tests. The Cook Islands and PNG are yet to name their squads.

Meanwhile, Toa Sāmoa is headed to England for a two-test series with the English in a World Cup semi-final rematch that will guarantee fireworks.

Fiji Bati - two-time premiership winner Sunia Turuva has been named two days after an outstanding performance in the NRL Grand Final. Also notable additions are Michael Jennings, who despite retiring from NRL duties will lace up the boots for the first time with the Bati. Meanwhile, veteran Kevin Naiqama has also been named to take on the Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea.

Full team: Sunia Turuva (Wests Tigers), Semi Valemei (North Queensland Cowboys), Maika Sivo (Parramatta Eels), Taane Milne (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Jethro Rinakama (Canterbury Bulldogs), Michael Jennings (Retired), Kevin Naiqama (Retired), Waqa Blake (St Helens RLFC), Kurt Donoghoe (The Dolphins), Caleb Navale (Manly Sea Eagles), Kitione Kautoga (Canterbury Bulldogs), Viliame Kikau (Canterbury Bulldogs), Tui Kamikamica (Melbourne Storm), Jordan Miller (Wests Tigers), Nathan Kegg-Smith (Brisbane Tigers), Kylan Mafoa (Manly Sea Eagles), Ben Nakubuwai (Leigh Leopards), Penioni Tagituimua (Canterbury Bulldogs), Joe Lovodua (Doncaster), James Valevatu (Wests Tigers), Bayleigh Bentley-Hape (South Sydney Rabbitohs).

Tonga - the Tongans will be eager to return to their best following their three losses to England in last year's test matches. But, they have a mix of youth and experience that should see them put up a strong battle against the might of the Kangaroos and Kiwis. Premiership-winning try-scorer Paul Alamoti is among five young bolsters who will make their debut for the Mate Ma'a Tonga.

Full team: Paul Alamoti* (Panthers), Kulikefu Finefeuiaki* (Dolphins), Addin Fonua-Blake (Sharks), Siliva Havili (Rabbitohs), Lehi Hopoate* (Sea Eagles), Isaiah Iongi* (Eels)*, Sione Katoa (Sharks), Eliesa Katoa (Storm), Felise Kaufusi (Dolphins), Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs), Tolutau Koula (Sea Eagles), Tuimoala Lolohea (Huddersfield Giants), Soni Luke (Panthers), Haumole Olakau’atu (Sea Eagles), Taniela Paseka* (Sea Eagles), Moses Suli (Dragons), Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys), Daniel Tupou (Roosters), Sitili Tupouniua (Bulldogs), Siua Wong (Roosters).

Papua New Guinea - TBC

Toa Sāmoa - TBC

Cook Islands - TBC

1. All Blacks name Autumn side

Ah-yes, the All Blacks are gearing up for their remaining test matches which Razor Robertson will treat as must-win games to finish their year on a high.

The All Blacks were three from three in the Rugby Championship. Despite some questionable selections, Razor has decided to make only one change to their Rugby Championship squad, bringing in Cam Roigard.

Meanwhile, powerful number 8 Hoskins Sotutu has again been omitted from the side, instead being named in the All Blacks XV. But the ABs retain much of their star power in their back-row, including young Wallace Sititi.

The All Blacks face Japan at the end of the month, before heading to the Northern Hemisphere for their Autumn tests.

Full team: Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, George Bell, Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Tamaiti Williams, Scott Barrett (c), Tupou Vaa'i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Loose Forwards: Ethan Blackadder, Sam Cane, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson, Dalton Papali'i, Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi, Cam Roigard, TJ Perenara, Cortez Ratima, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Jordie Barrett, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Billy Proctor, Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan, Ruben Love, Stephen Perofeta, Sevu Reece, Mark Tele'a.

Jimmy Uso, right, reunites with Roman Reigns. Photo/WWE

1. The Final Boss returns.

In our last installment of the WWE fandom, the Tribal Chief announced his team-up against the ‘New Bloodline’ Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu.

Their match at this weekend's WWE Bad Blood event shook the stadium as we saw the return of Jimmy Uso and the ‘Final Boss’ a.k.a the Rock.

During the conclusion of the tag-team faceoff between Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, and the New Bloodline, a hooded figure emerged from under the ring, revealing himself as Jimmy Uso who hasn’t been seen since Wrestlemania 40.

Jimmy returned to rejoin Reigns to fight off the ‘new’ Bloodline, beating down Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa. Reigns would eventually pin Sikoa to win the match, and as Reigns and Rhodes soaked in their victory, the Final Boss made his highly anticipated return.

Now poses the question: Who is the true ‘Tribal Chief’ now that the Rock has returned? Was the Rock behind the ‘new’ Bloodlines antics this year? Will Jey Uso rejoin the Bloodline after he left the faction in 2023? All these questions will be answered soon, and it’s so exciting!

Matty’s Golden Point

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

“It doesn’t matter what you think”

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson