
Matty’s on the Five is our weekly sports wrap covering five of the biggest moments in Pacific sports as determined by Matt Manukuo.
Fakaalofa lahi atu! Thanks to a huge win from my favourite team, the Warriors, it's been another beautiful start to the week. Let’s dive into it.
Warriors topple Manly in first home game
The Warriors secured a convincing 36-16 victory over the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles on Friday.
This was their first home game, and they certainly put on a spectacular show.
Despite some fans' concerns about the Warriors' unchanged side, the halves pairing of Chanel Harris-Tavita and Luke Metcalf proved to be effective.
Their precision in attack almost led the Warriors to score 40 points against the opposition.
A standout moment for me was seeing Roger Tuivasa-Sheck break through defenders to score in the left corner.
The Wahs are preparing for their next match against the Sydney Roosters on Friday at Go Media Stadium.
Hot off a win against the reigning premiers, the Roosters will look to pull off an upset this week.
The team celebrate Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's try. Photo/NZ Warriors
Drua fall to Brumbies
The Fijian Drua face a 38-21 defeat against the Brumbies, despite putting in a spirited effort at GIO Stadium in Canberra on Friday.
The Drua started strong but found themselves trailing 28-7 at halftime due to defensive errors, with Brumbies star Len Ikitau scoring twice.
In the second half, the Drua fought back with tries from Motikai Murray and Tevita Ikanivere, closing the gap to 28-21. But Ikitau’s third try and a disallowed try for the Drua proved decisive in the match.
Drua fans. Photo/Fijian Drua.
Despite their determination, the Drua’s mistakes, including a late yellow card, guaranteed the Brumbies a bonus-point win.
The Drua now head to Perth to face the Western Force on Sunday.
Top of the table clash impresses as Blues overcome Matatu
The Blues women's team continued their dominant form in Super Rugby Aupiki, securing a convincing victory over Matatū and maintaining their unbeaten streak.
The Blues showcased their attacking strength and defensive prowess, effectively outclassing Matatū.
Photo/Blues media.
The win reinforces the Blues' dominance in this year’s Super Rugby Aupiki season, and I expect many Black Ferns jerseys to support the girls.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs Manawa thrashed the Hurricanes Poua 46-7, continuing their pursuit of the Super Rugby title. The Fijiana Marama defeated the Brumbies 21-15 at home on Saturday..
Blues continue losing streak with narrow loss against Chiefs
The defending champion Blues extended their losing streak after a thrilling one-point loss to the Chiefs.
The match was closely contested, with both teams displaying strong attacking and defensive efforts.
A late penalty proved the difference, allowing the Chiefs to sneak home with the win. The Chiefs now maintain their dominance at the top of the table, while the defending champs find themselves in last place.
Parker en-route to a title shot
Things look promising for one of our most prolific fighters, Joseph Parker. The interim WBO heavyweight champion Parker is eyeing his first championship fight in seven years against Oleksandr Usyk.
The WBO has ordered Usyk to defend his heavyweight title, as Parker is the mandatory title challenger. The mandatory title defence is part of the WBO's regulations, giving Parker a shot at the championship.
Parker and Tyson Fury following Parker vs Zhang. Photo/Joseph Parker.
Both parties have a month to agree on the fight, which we hope will be held this year.
The fight is expected to attract significant attention. Parker aims to reclaim a world title, while Usyk looks to solidify his dominance in the division.
Matty's Golden Point
"I'm cocky in prediction, I'm confident in preparation, but I am always humble in victory or defeat." Conor McGregor