Talofa, Ma’lelei, Bula and Welcome to Season 05 Episode 67 of Breakfast Bites by TeivovoSports.com – a wrap of Pasifika people’s sports news on a drizzly but warm Friday morning 09 June 2023.

Coming to you with tons of hanisi from the 180th meridian, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

In rugby: Our World Famous tips for the Super Rugby Pacific quarter-finals: the Blues to kung fu the NSW Waratahs tonight, and on Saturday the Chiefs to judo the Reds, the Fijian Drua to jiu jitsu the Crusaders in freezing Christchurch and the Brumbies to karate the Hurricanes in Canberra.

More on the 45-man Fiji Water Flying Fijians squad to the RWC2023 released overnight on Background Buzz at the end of this podcast.

In rugby league: NRL games this weekend: On Saturday - St George Dragons vs South Sydney Rabbitohs at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium at 3pm, the Broncos vs Newcastle Knights at Suncorp Stadium at 5.30pm, the Sydney Roosters vs Penrith Panthers at Allianz Stadium at 7.35pm.

On Sunday - the Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks at AAMI Park at 2pm and on Monday – it’s the Bulldogs vs the Eels at Accor Stadium at 4.05pm.

In Football and SportsBiz: Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami debut may come as soon as 21 July for a Leagues Cup match against Mexican Club, Cruz Azul in Miami. Before the news was even official, the get-in price for that game skyrocketed to US$329 on Wednesday, up 1,034% from Tuesday’s regular price of US$29.

Inter Miami added one million Instagram followers Wednesday as word spread that the legendary soccer player was joining them — doubling the team’s audience on the platform in one day.

Messi reportedly turned down nearly US$400Million from a Saudi Arabian Club to join Inter Miami where he will receive a percentage of all new subscriptions to MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The streaming service is in the first year of a 10-year, US$2.5Billion media rights deal that is now much more valuable with Messi playing games it exclusively broadcasts worldwide.

The Athletic reported the deal could also include profit-sharing from ADIDAS, which renewed its apparel deal with MLS before this season.

Messi owns a home in Miami and has ties with Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham

Inter Miami has matches in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Orlando, Chicago, and Charlotte after 21 July, as part of 17 away games.

And finally in boxing: Speaking through an interpreter, Mexico’s top ranked Super Welterweight fighter, Carlos Ocampo warned Aussie champ, Tim Tyszu to “watch his arm and don’t make excuses after the fight about it,” as he plans to knock him out in their fight on the Gold Coast on 18 June.

So where is this dog that bit Tyszu? What kinda dog is it? And the $60Million question – why did it bite him?

Okay Fiji rugby fans, in “Background Buzz” today, I take a wider look at the Fiji Water Flying Fijians squad for the RWC2023 in France in less than 99 days and counting down!

Simon Raiwalui and his co-selectors have done an excellent job, especially picking 23 players from the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua in the 45-man Fiji Water Flying Fijians squad for the Pacific Nations Cup in July and pre-Rugby World Cup warm-up games in England and France.

The squad also includes 13 players from the French Top 14, 5 from the English Premiership and 1 each from French Pro D2, United Rugby Championship, Japan Rugby League One and Super Rugby.

A final squad of 38 players will march into camp on 01 July.

The 12 front rowers in the squad consist of:
Loosehead Props: Peni Ravai, Eroni Mawi, Haereti Hetet, Meli Tuni
Hookers: Sam Matavesi, Tevita Ikanivere, Zuriel Togiatama, Mesulame Dolokoto
Tighthead Props: Mesake Doge, Luke Tagi, Samu Tawake, and Jone Koroiduadua.

Evergreen Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, has been named in the second row alongside Isoa Nasilasila and Temo Mayanavanua.

The utility forwards features the likes of Albert Tuisue, Peceli Yato and Drua pack of Lekima Tagitagivalu, Joseva Tamani and Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta.

The robust back row throws up Mr. Versatile, Levani Botia, Viliame Mata and Kitione Kamikamica against young guns, Meli Derenalagi and Vilive Miramira from the Fijian Drua.

An all-Fijian Drua halfback trio of Frank Lomani, Simione Kuruvoli and Peni Matawalu have been named in the wider squad, with Teti Tela and Caleb Muntz challenging Ben Volavola at fly-half.

It’s in the outside backs that the Fiji Water Flying Fijians has the exciting talent and world class stars to light up the RWC2023 with the likes of Josua Tuisova, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Adrea Cocagi, Waisea Nayacalevu, Iosefo Masi, and former All Black, Seta Tamanivalu.

And wider still, gamebreakers include Vinaya Habosi, Jiuta Wainiqolo, Selestino Ravataumada, Ilaisa Drosese, Setareki Tuicuvu, Semi Radradra, Sireli Maqala and Vilimoni Botitu.

Fiji’s Pacific Nations Cup Tests start on 22 July against Tonga in Lautoka, then they play Samoa a week later in Apia, and meet Japan on 05 August in Tokyo.

In pre-RWC2023 warm up Tests, the Fiji Water Flying Fijians play England at Twickenham on 19 August and play France on the 27th.

One more thing – I feel it would be a very smart move, as well as very deserving, for Simon and the FRU to invite Mick Byrne into the Flying Fijians coaching team as an Assistant Coach, even if just as a consultant.

Mick Byrne is a very big reason why this Fijian Drua team is in the Super Rugby Pacific quarter finals in only its second year – as such, he is probably the Super Rugby Pacific Coach of the Year!

And that’s a wrap!

For TeivovoSports.com I’m Culden Kamea – please hit the like and subscribe buttons below if you want to receive more Pasifika sports highlights on Breakfast Bites.

Mahalo, vina’a and tank you all too mass for all your love and support.

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