Viva Las Vegas! NRL kicks off while Moana Pasifika return home

Fakaalofa lahi atu! What a huge week of sporting excitement - let's get into it.

Wahs go down under the bright lights of Las Vegas

Sixty-five thousand passionate fans packed Allegiant Stadium for the NRL's second year kicking off in Las Vegas. While the Warriors lost 30-8 to the Raiders, seeing them under the bright lights was still thrilling.

The intense collisions during the opening exchanges highlighted the significance of the event, but the Raiders’ first strike raised concerns about the Warriors' defence.

The Wahs found themselves on the back foot for much of the game as the Raiders' offloads exploited their defensive weaknesses, allowing Canberra's speedy players to make significant gains.

Proud Warriors fans turned out to Allegiant Stadium. Photo/NZ Warriors.

As the Raiders piled on points, the Warriors struggled to convert their opportunities near Canberra's 10-metre line.

Despite the loss, it was heartwarming to see the Warriors' fans travel to Las Vegas to support the team.

Hopefully, they can rally even more support ahead of their first home game next Friday against the Manly Sea Eagles.

Moana Pasifika draw thousands to first home game

A few things stood out during this game on Friday night for me: The beautiful heritage jerseys and Moana's captain closing the post-match press conference with a prayer.

Moana narrowly went down to the Highlanders 31-29 at North Harbour Stadium in front of thousands of home fans.

A late fightback from Moana brought them within striking distance of a win, but a strong defensive effort from the Highlanders shut down any chance of a fairytale ending.

The jerseys paid tribute to the first-ever Pacific Islanders team that faced the All Blacks in 2004.

More than 20 years later, their mission to provide Pasifika players the opportunity to compete at a high level in rugby has finally come true.

Ardie Savea concluded the presser with a prayer, reflecting our Pacific values of faith - This was widely praised on social media, showcasing the beauty of Pacific culture through a world-class athlete.

Blues women in strong outing

Adding to the string of losses for Wellington sports teams at the hands of Auckland sides, the Blues women kicked off their Super Rugby Aupiki title defence in style, crushing Hurricanes Poua 50-10 with seven tries in Wellington.

The Blues led 17-0 at halftime, thanks to tries from Black Ferns stars Ruahei Demant and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, who scored from a stunning 90-metre runaway after a brilliant counterattack.

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe celebrating after a try. Photo/Blues.

Despite a brief response from Poua's Isabella Waterman, the Blues continued their dominance with additional tries from Grace Gargo, Braxton Sorenson-McGee, and Sylvia Brunt, with Gargo and Demant adding more to reach the half-century mark.

A late consolation try from Poua's Denise Aiolupotea did little to change the outcome as the Blues cruised to a commanding victory.

Ex-bikie wins maiden NZ Open title

Ryan Peake, a former member of a motorcycle group, has just won his first big golf tournament, the New Zealand Open.

The 31-year-old golfer shot an impressive five-under-66 in the final round, finishing with a total score of 23-under, just one stroke ahead of Australian Jack Thompson, South Africa's Ian Snyman, and Japan's Kazuki Higa.

Ryan Peake following his New Zealand Open victory. Photo/NZ Open.

This victory is a tremendous achievement for someone who has changed their lifestyle dramatically, showcasing how far he has come.

For golf fans, Peake’s story is one of resilience and determination, proving that a person can overcome challenges and achieve greatness in a different direction, making his win all the more special!

Round the Bays

This was my first time participating in the Round the Bays event in seven years, and it felt great to be back!

Thousands gathered in Auckland’s CBD on Sunday for this annual event, and it was a beautiful day for it. More than $300,000 was raised for over 130 charities, representing the Starship Foundation in our case.

I walked the eight-kilometre route alongside my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew, enjoying the roadside entertainment and the enthusiastic cheers of passersby.

The event allowed me to reflect on its significance for my family and those we were fundraising for.

We completed the walk in just under two hours, and hopefully next year, we can run the route and aim for a good time!

An article written following the last time I took part in Round the Bays. Photo/PMN News/Matt Manukuo