Fresh Off the Field brings you Pacific-focused content from in country professionals.

Moana Liebreghts has some big dreams - and she’s well on her way to achieving both: playing in the Olympics and becoming a doctor. The Tongan-Dutch basketballer is balancing medical school with international competition, leading Fiji to victory at the FIBA Women’s Melanesian Cup and winning gold at the Mini Games in Palau. On top of that, she’s coaching the junior girls’ basketball team and championing women’s involvement in the sport, both on and off the court.   PNG sports journalist, Jamie Haro, holds down the fort with Sam Wykes, throwing out some wild trivia guesses that may or may not work in her favour. And despite a few tech hiccups, Fia Laikong still manages to deliver a special interview with rugby player Ashley Palu.  

Tabatha Saville grew up in Suva but moved to Australia as a kid and fell in love with the game of cricket, which took her back home recently. Saville talks about representing her culture and getting the chance to see family in Fiji after a long time away, what she hopes Fiji cricket can do in the future and what it's like to play in the same team as your Mum. Sam Wykes is also joined by Kalo Manu-Moli who takes us to Tonga with their MMT team on home soil as well as Tonga Tala incoming. Plus Finau Vulivuli gives us more Fijian flavour with an interview about their basketball success at the recent Melanesian Cup.

Leo Lebot is part of a young crew of Ni-Van swimmers who, despite the lack of high quality pools in the Pacific, want to put Vanuatu swimming on the map. Co-host Mel Fare chats to Lebot about his story, highlights so far competing around the world and more. Sam Wykes is also joined by Taina Basiyalo who brings news in cricket, rugby union, league as well as a chat around a new basketball program in Fiji which has taken off. There's plenty more local sports news and our usual games and laughs too.

Gloria Hong is one of the chief organisers for the FIBA Melanesian Cup basketball tournament in Honiara next week and we hear her story rising the ranks of sports leadership in the Pacific.  Hong tells us about the challenges of knowing or being related to everyone in basketball in her region, how important respect is in her field and how exciting it's going to be to have the tournament back where the Pacific Games were in 2023. Joining Sam Wykes is Lailanie Burnes and Patricia Keamo to talk through news in the world of football, rugby league, cricket, rugby union, squash, bodybuilding and more.

Evangeline Taylor-Pati is a two time strongest champion in the Pacific and believes that the sport is made for Samoans to excel. Chatting to Gabrielle Apelu, Taylor-Pati talks about how she got into lifting, why it helps in breaking down barriers and what her favourite elements of the competition are. Also, PNG journalist Lisa Puni brings an interview with basketball coach John Fred and his transition from playing to coaching. Plus Cynthia Seda joins Sam Wykes on the show to talk Solomon Islands sport inclusion and there's news in the worlds of netball, cricket, football, rugby league and union and even archery!

Rachel Andrew got a hat-trick and 85 runs in the same game, a history making feat that helped lead her Vanuatu team to the final of the recent T20 Cricket World Cup qualifiers in Fiji. Chatting to teammate and Fresh Off The Field co-host Melissa Fare, Andrew talks through the disappointment of the final loss, her pride in the team coming together from all parts of the Pacific and what her aspirations are going forward. Sam Wykes is also joined by Kalo Manu-Moli from Tonga and the team discuss athletics, netball, football, rugby union and plenty more.

John Wagambie is PNG Kumul #14 and also coached the team and he reflects on how different the game is today in terms of respect and co-existence. Wagambie chats to co-host Jamie Haro about the early days of his career, challenges balancing education, work and footy, his Kumuls journey and why these days he sees less harmony in PNG rugby league compared to his era. Also joining Sam Wykes is Finau Vulivuli who will chat through the cricket qualifiers in Fiji as well and sharing the experiences of local commentator Asinate Wainiqolo plus there's news in athletics, basketball, football and more.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Powerful stories, impactful performances and world class sporting action - the Pacific Mini Games in Palau didn't disappoint and we'll wrap it all up today on the show. You'll hear from medallists like a Guam softballer, Solomon Islands runner and highlights from across the Pacific. And because Fiji's Lailanie Burnes and PNG's Patricia Keamo are on board, you'll hear about their countries favourite stories plus news in the world of rugby, football, baseball and so much more.

Fresh Off The Field ditches the office and goes live from Palau for the 2025 Pacific Mini Games! Joining Sam Wykes on the ground are Papua New Guinean sports journalist Jamie Haro and the newest member of the team, Fijian multimedia sports journalist Taina Basiyalo, bringing you the latest stories and results straight from the games. It’s an athlete’s paradise in Palau, as Sam Wykes chases around sporting stars like American Samoa’s weightlifters Kennedy Nofoagatotoa and Iva Floyd, and Northern Mariana Islands baseball midfielder Benjamin Jones. 

After some nervous months, the people of Palau are ready and excited to welcome the Pacific to Micronesia for the Mini Games. 'The Island Times' editor Leilani Reklai jumps on to tell us the special way each of the 16 states will be assigned to a different nation to cheer them on, what sport Palau thinks they have the best chance in and importantly, what food will be on the menu. Sam Wykes is also joined by Cynthia Seda from the Solomon Islands and Finau Vulivuli from Fiji to talk about their countries preparations as well as news in cricket, tennis, athletics, parasport, football and more.