Super Bowl and Super Rugby have arrived!

Fakaalofa atu! It’s one of the biggest days in the sports world today, Super Bowl 59 kicks off and many other sporting moments unfolded during the weekend. Let’s get into it!

Super Bowl LIX

It’s the biggest day in the American sporting calendar as Super Bowl LIX kicks off.

Three Pasifika players will be lacing up the boots in today’s match, which will draw in hundreds of millions of viewers around the world: Kansas City Chiefs’ Kingsley Suamataia and JuJu Smith-Schuster versus Philadelphia Eagles’ Jordan Mailata.

Caesars Superdome ready for Superbowl action. Photo/Kansas City Chiefs media.

The Chiefs are building a historic dynasty, appearing in four of the last five Super Bowls and winning three, including a thrilling 38-35 victory over the Eagles two years ago.

Led by Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, the Chiefs are aiming for an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl win.

The Eagles, with a 14-3 record, are seeking revenge after their narrow 38-33 loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII.

Powered by Saquon Barkley, who rushed for 2,000 yards this season, and efficient quarterback Jalen Hurts, the Eagles are determined to dethrone the Chiefs and claim this year's title.

Super Rugby Kicks Off This Week!

The trials are done, and now we’re gearing up for Week One of Super Rugby Pacific!

The 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season promises to be a fiercely competitive battle, with teams across New Zealand and Australia aiming to challenge the dominance of defending champions, the Blues.

Under coach Vern Cotter, the Blues are determined to secure back-to-back titles, strengthened by the return of Beauden Barrett.

The Super Rugby Final rematch goes down this weekend. Photo/Blues Media.

The Chiefs, led by Clayton McMillan, and the Hurricanes, rebuilding under Clark Laidlaw, are eager to dethrone the Blues, while the Crusaders seek redemption after a dismal 2024 campaign under coach Rob Penney.

Meanwhile, Moana Pasifika, inspired by the addition of Ardie Savea, aim to go even further with new energy and excitement for 2025.

And we mustn’t forget the Fiji Drua who continue to hold aspirations for the finals with a strong team before several key players head abroad.

Up the Wahs 2025?

The Wahs are back for another season, and despite a 12-12 draw in their first hit-out, I’m intrigued to see how the year unfolds for them.

The pre-season opener ended in a scrappy draw, with injuries to Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (wrist) and Mitch Barnett (chin) causing concern.

New halves pairing Luke Metcalf and Te Maire Martin showed promise, but basic errors and poor set completion (64%) showed a lack of sharpness.

With Roger Tuivasa-Sheck sidelined and several players committed to the Māori All Stars game, coach Andrew Webster faces selection challenges ahead of the next pre-season on February 15th.

The Warriors will need to tighten their discipline and integrate returning stars to build momentum for the 2025 NRL season.

Adesanya earns Hall of Fame honours

Israel Adesanya has earned a spot in the UFC Hall of Fame for his legendary battle against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 236 in April 2019.

The epic five-round war, which saw Adesanya claim the interim middleweight title via unanimous decision, is celebrated as one of the greatest fights in UFC history.

Both fighters delivered a brutal, back-and-forth performance, and I remember a clip of Izzy in the final round - busted and bruised, saying “I’m ready to die for this” before having a strong fifth-round performance to secure the victory.

Adesanya, who went on to unify the titles by defeating Robert Whittaker at UFC 243 and became a two-time champion by avenging his loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 287, is widely expected to receive his induction in the future.

The Adesanya-Gastelum clash now joins iconic Hall of Fame fights like Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen and Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar.

Mana Pasifika

A bold new chapter in rugby league is set to begin with the launch of Mana Pasifika, Auckland’s official bid to join the NRL.

The franchise aims to unite the Pasifika and Māori culture while providing a platform for young athletes to shine on the world stage.

Backed by legends like Fred Ah Kuoi, who said, “Mana Pasifika is exactly what the NRL needs,” and supported by Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and Eden Park CEO Nick Sautner, the bid has gathered support across the Pacific and New Zealand.

This has given me a similar feeling to when Moana Pasifika was announced for Super Rugby. If the NRL is able to support this, and it does come true - I think it’ll provide another level for us Pasifika in the game.

Matty’s Golden Point

"The job ain’t finished."

Kobe Bryant