Declan Byrne

Joe Galuvao lost his Mum when he was seven years old and was mostly raised by his sisters moving around from place to place - a journey that eventually led to 240 NRL games. Sam & Tinirau sit down with the NRL legend to hear about how his family dealt with the tragedy, his proudest day playing for Toa Samoa, the culture shock of moving from NZ to Penrith and the healing he's found in later life.

Jemina Otoa is on a mission to inspire others who wear the same shoes as her and it goes way beyond winning Pacific Games medals. After taking home silver in Honiara in 2023 she's dedicated to improving funding, coaching standards and the lives of people living with a disability in the Solomon Islands. Sam Wykes chats to Otoa about her story and she has also got an interview with fellow para-athlete Moffet Tolomae.Sam is joined by Patricia Keamo from PNG and Solomon Islands journalist Priestley Habru to discuss all the sport happening across the Pacific region.NB: Parts of this show were produced in collaboration with ABC’s International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) initiative, and is supported by the Women in News and Sport (WINS) program and implemented by ABC International Development.

Samoan Australian Will Skelton wasn't always a giant of the rugby union world and didn't make many rep teams growing up, but all of that has changed. Skelton talks about his cultural upbringing, his immense pride playing and living in Samoa at a junior level and why he initially turned down a leadership role with the Wallabies.In the second last Monday show of the year, 'Nesian Knowledge' gets heated and we run through a successful weekend for Fiji on the Sevens circuit.

Wallaroo Siokapesi Palu has Samoan and Tongan blood and she's somehow lived with both feet in both camps, embracing her culture while still having pride in representing Australia. Having only picked up Rugby Union in 2020, Palu was crowned the best Super W player of 2024 and captained the Wallaroos during their recent successful WXV campaign.We hear about her Dad's initial hesitancy in playing rugby, Palu's emotional Wallaroo debut vs NZ and some funny stories about trips to the islands and moving from New Zealand to Australia. Oh and did she marry a Tongan or Samoan - you'll have to find out.

From an old tyre attached to a tree to representing PNG, Shannaz Apelis has had quite the inspiring netball journey. For someone who was dragged away from soccer by her Mum to try netball, Apelis has taken big leaps in recent years training and playing in Australia alongside experiences at the Pacific Games in Honiara too.Hear her story as well as sports news from Melissa Fare and Lailanie Burnes who join Sam Wykes this week to run through all the sport happening across the Pacific Islands.

After a year of 'Nesian Knowledge' questions, it all comes down to this week to find out whether Sam, Tinirau or maybe both the boys will get a 'Nesian Footy' tattoo on their bum.There's a bit of Rugby Sevens to dive into as well as Tinirau's trip during the week to the Cook Islands but really, we're all here to see who's getting branded forever thanks to a bit of trivia.

If it wasn't for a forged permission slip, Jazmon Tupou-Witchman thinks she wouldn't be where she is today - playing NRLW and representing Cook Islands on the international level. Sam & T chat to the youngster about her Cook Islander and Tongan upbringing, who she was looking up to in the skies on debut for her country and how moving from NZ to Sydney to Wynnum and to Townsville made her more resilient.

Dave Tuinauvai knows what it takes to make it in the NFL and thinks that Pasifika athletes are made to thrive in the sport. Sam & Tinirau ask Tuinauvai how he got to this place in his career, what kids with a dream need to show him and why there's so much untapped talent in the islands.It's also the first show back so the boys catch up on holiday highlights, the footy news across the last few weeks and debut a new game called 'Gimme Three'.

Sione Katoa went from All Blacks dreams to Tongan world beaters. Having never played rugby league, Katoa took a shot and moved from NZ to Australia and the Tongan and Cook Islander man worked hard to eventually play NRL and represent the red jersey.We hear about living with Sam’s Dad, falling out of love with footy and retiring early, that famous Tonga win over Australia and why he and his brother Isaiya might one day play for the Cook Islands.

After a few weeks off, Fresh Off The Field returns for a new year bringing you the latest sporting action across the Pacific. Host Sam Wykes is joined by PNG sports editor Patricia Keamo and all round media star, Fiji's Lailanie Burnes to catch up on everything you may have missed over the last month.We'll hear from four time Ms Fiji bodybuilding champion Liz Maki, how and why Heraki Utd are dominating PNG football, the latest in Oceania athletics, a Coral Coast 7s preview and of course an update on our recent guest, Samoan Australian tennis star Destanee Aiava.