Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame celebrates legends and rising stars

Eden Park rolled out the red carpet to honour the legends and rising stars of rugby excellence, who were inducted into the Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame (PRHF) in Auckland on Thursday night.

This was only the second round of inductees for PRHF’s inauguration in March 2024.

Wallace Sititi received the Waisale Serevi Breakthrough Men’s Player of the Year award. Sititi made his mark by leading De La Salle College’s First XV and then bursting onto the scene for North Harbour before making his All Blacks debut in 2024.

Like father, like son, Satiti takes after his dad, Semo Satiti, by proudly wearing the Number 8 jersey.

“This definitely hits home a little bit more. Being amongst our Pasifika people here is something I’m very proud of. To be able to receive this award is a huge honour,” Sititi, who announced his return to the Waikato Chiefs earlier this week, says.

Thursday’s festivities kicked off with a Cook Islands rangatira calling the crowd to their seats, accompanied by the sound of the conch shell echoing through the Great Hall of Eden Park.

Fresh from Polyfest, the Kelston Boys’ High School Fijian group provided backup dancing for Soul & R’n’B artist Junior Soqeta.

Dinner entertainment featured Sāmoan songstress Tree, accompanied by Wayno and the Tuiga Dance Academy, with performances from Folau and young Tongan dancers, showcasing cultural connections throughout the evening.

The night also celebrated the commitment to building and expanding the rich sporting legacy of the Pacific people in rugby.

Seven new inductees were honoured, including Monique Hirovanaa, the first Pacific woman to win the World Rugby Player of the Year Award, All Blacks superstars La'auli Savae Sir Michael Jones and Fa’alogo Tana Umaga, Wallabies powerhouse Viliami Ofahengaue, Seremaia Baikeinuku, a former Flying Fijian Tongan rugby pioneer Malakai Alatini, and posthumous recognition for “Inga the Winger”, Fesolai Va’aiga Tuigamala.

Inga’s family attended to accept the award in his honour.

Jordan Tuigamala, a professional boxer and one of Inga’s sons, shared that it was an “incredible moment” for the family. “I had to take a moment to myself.”

When asked what he thought his father’s response would have been, Jordan replied, “What wouldn’t he have said is the real question! He had stories for days.”

Some of the senior inductees, when asked who they would have wanted to be there, think of maternal figures.

Baikeinuku wishes he could have shared the news with his grandmother, while Savae reflected on memories of his late mother. Both highlighted life-long lessons and emotional recollections.

Masuisuimatamaalii ‘Sui’ Tauasa-Pauaraisa says she’s “overwhelmed” at being named the Seiuli Fiao’o Fa’amausili Women’s Player of the Year.

“I never thought that I would be here. When I got the call I was actually shocked, I couldn’t even answer”.

Proudly carrying Sāmoa in her heart, Sui became emotional thinking about missing her daughters, who couldn’t be there for the night.

She spoke about the importance of women’s representation in rugby and emphasised that while the journey may be long and hard, it is made easier together.

“To be honest, playing rugby isn’t a normal thing to do in Sāmoa. I want to teach my daughters that rugby is more than just a sport. It’s about being proud of who we are and where we come from.

“Standing up for themselves and knowing…and other little girls will see more of us.”

Tevita Ikanivere, the Fijian Drua front-rower, received the Jonah Lomu Men’s Player of the Year award. The Drua co-captain had his wife and 11-month-old baby by his side.

He says rubbing shoulders with some of Rugby’s greats is a highlight and that he feels privileged to be in spaces encouraging Pacific sportsmanship and excellence.

To close the night, Tree returned to perform a taualuga that invited a mix of sporting legends, such as Serevi, Manase Jesse Sapolu, Tuafa’asisina Sir Bryan Williams, and Seiuli Fiao’o Fa’amausili, to join in the siva.