//podcastplus.net/feed/can-you-be-more-pacific~4c3a6eff Fresh Off the Field is an ABC sports show, bringing you Pacific-focused content from in country professionals. Every Thursday we’ll catch you up on the latest sporting news happening in your own backyard. Sun, 23 Aug 2026 09:52:42 +0000 https://mediacore-live-production.akamaized.net/audio/02/d3/Z/id.mp3 Fresh off beating Wales in their final game at the Women's Rugby World Cup, Fijiana player Bitila Tawake tells us how the hate they received only motivated them more. Lailanie Burnes chats to Tawake about the tournament, how she went cheering on the sidelines after being suspended and why the Wales win has spurred her on for more. As well, Declan Byrne is joined by Patricia Keamo with news in the world of boxing, football and cricket plus she chats to Hekari FC GM Wira Wama about their recent great news regarding the OFC Pro League. Thu, 11 Sep 2025 04:15:00 +0000 https://mediacore-live-production.akamaized.net/audio/02/d3/Z/id.mp3 https://mediacore-live-production.akamaized.net/audio/02/ct/Z/2h.mp3 Growing up with rugby league aspirations, a horrific injury led to Dorna Longbut shifting her goals and she's since become a multi-sport powerhouse of Papua New Guinea sport. Sam Wykes chats to Longbut about how faith and family helped her get back to sport, her amazing achievements since her recovery and just how many sports she's been successful in. Sam is joined by Cynthia Seda from the Solomon Islands who has plenty of local news and an initiative called Girls4Sport, encouraging young girls to participate in football. Plus Taina Basiyalo from Fiji is here to give us plenty of Fiji sports news including results from the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in India recently. Thu, 04 Sep 2025 05:00:00 +0000 https://mediacore-live-production.akamaized.net/audio/02/ct/Z/2h.mp3 https://mediacore-live-production.akamaized.net/audio/02/cm/Z/i7.mp3 Fresh Off the Field is once again out on location coming to you live from Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea as the country gears up to celebrate 50 years of independence. It's an all PNG lineup joining Sam Wykes with Nesia Daily's Michael Chow and sports journalists Patricia Keamo and Jamie Haro on board to chat about all things sport in PNG and across the Pacific. We'll also hear from plenty involved in Papua New Guinea sport including footballer Alwin Komolong, rugby union and league dual international Helen Abau and incredible para-athlete Morea Mararos. Thu, 28 Aug 2025 05:30:00 +0000 https://mediacore-live-production.akamaized.net/audio/02/cm/Z/i7.mp3 https://mediacore-live-production.akamaized.net/audio/02/cg/Z/69.mp3 The Pacific Nations Cup kicks off this weekend and Ikale Tahi assistant coach Alando Soakai joins the show to chat about how connecting with the villages helps the Tongan team on the field. Sam Wykes is joined by Kalo Manu-Moli who will educate us on Tongan sport, lingo and food during Tongan language week as well as Finau Vulivuli who brings in sports news in football, rugby and also shines a light on fellow Fijian Torika Delai who will referee at a FIFA World Cup. Thu, 21 Aug 2025 05:00:00 +0000 https://mediacore-live-production.akamaized.net/audio/02/cg/Z/69.mp3 https://mediacore-live-production.akamaized.net/audio/02/c9/Z/mv.mp3 Roy Krishna is considered by most to be the greatest Fijian footballer ever and he still makes it a priority to go to schools and local tournaments when he's back in Fiji, especially in his village of Siberia in Labasa. Co-host Lailanie Burnes chats to Krishna about his journey from the rice paddies to professional football, his career highlights and his dreams to inspire the next generation. Sam Wykes introduces us to a future leader and force of Fijian basketball, 15-year-old Makaefa Savu and alongside Lailanie and Melissa Fare discuss sports news in the worlds of cricket, football, skateboarding, table tennis, rugby union and more. Thu, 14 Aug 2025 04:30:00 +0000 https://mediacore-live-production.akamaized.net/audio/02/c9/Z/mv.mp3 https://mediacore-live-production.akamaized.net/audio/02/c1/Z/sl.mp3 Isila Apkup is the new face of Papua New Guinea sprinting and off the back of more medals in Palau at the Pacific Mini Games, she talks through her journey to the top. Regular co-host Jamie Haro chats to Apkup about the challenges of studying and competing in USA, the honour of running for PNG and what lessons she has for the next generation. Sam Wykes is also joined by Tongan reporter Marian Kupu who is keen to chat netball and rugby plus there's news in cricket, athletics, football, basketball and more. Thu, 07 Aug 2025 04:30:00 +0000 https://mediacore-live-production.akamaized.net/audio/02/c1/Z/sl.mp3 https://mediacore-live-production.akamaized.net/audio/02/br/Z/58.mp3 Liam Talivaa believes God has brought him to boxing and he is rising the ranks fast after only taking up the sport during Covid. We hear about how he proudly represents his Samoan culture in his fighting, why he has put 'God's Son' on his shorts and what big goals he has for the future. As well, Lailanie Burnes brings us plenty of Fijian sporting action and Cynthia Seda is in to chat Solomon Islands sport and beyond. Thu, 31 Jul 2025 04:00:00 +0000 https://mediacore-live-production.akamaized.net/audio/02/br/Z/58.mp3 https://mediacore-live-production.akamaized.net/audio/02/bk/Z/r3.mp3 Sydney Francisco lit the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony of the Pacific Mini Games in Palau, an honour that isn't lost on her. Francisco chats about coming back after a big break from athletics post the Paris Olympics, her proud family moments and the synergy of lighting the cauldron with her Mum there watching. Kalo Manu-Moli also drops by with plenty of local Tongan sports news including some Rubik's cube competitions and Finau Vulivuli wraps up the OFC Women's Nations Cup that just wrapped up in Fiji. Thu, 24 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +0000 https://mediacore-live-production.akamaized.net/audio/02/bk/Z/r3.mp3 https://mediacore-live-production.akamaized.net/audio/02/be/Z/km.mp3 We're still basking in the glow of Palau and the Pacific Mini Games so today you'll hear from trailblazers in Vanuatu sport, PNG basketballers proudly playing for their family, the public reception as teams return and more. Alongside her usual cricket stories, Melissa Fare brings in some rugby news to impress Sam who in turns makes her cry with an interview from Mel's brother. Jamie Haro is here too for all the OFC football news, PNG Rugby League controversy and plenty more. Thu, 17 Jul 2025 04:15:00 +0000 https://mediacore-live-production.akamaized.net/audio/02/be/Z/km.mp3 https://mediacore-live-production.akamaized.net/audio/02/be/Z/km.mp3 We're still basking in the glow of Palau and the Pacific Mini Games so today you'll hear from trailblazers in Vanuatu sport, PNG basketballers proudly playing for their family, the public reception as teams return and more. Alongside her usual cricket stories, Melissa Fare brings in some rugby news to impress Sam who in turns makes her cry with an interview from Mel's brother. Jamie Haro is here too for all the OFC football news, PNG Rugby League controversy and plenty more. Thu, 17 Jul 2025 04:15:00 +0000 https://mediacore-live-production.akamaized.net/audio/02/be/Z/km.mp3