21-01-2024 Breakfast Bites FIJI & PACIFIC SPORTS NEWS Podcast S08E21 #TeivovoSports #TeivovoDigital

Kia ora, Talofa, Ma’lelei, Bula and Welcome to Season 08 Episode 21 of Breakfast Bites, by TeivovoSports.com – a wrap of Pasifika people’s sports news, on a sunny and bright Sunday morning 21 January 2024.Coming to you with tons of hanisi from the 180th meridian in the middle of the Blue Continent. In rugby union: The Fiji Barbarians are the McDonald’s Fiji’s Coral Coast 7s Champions for 2024, after they super-sized the McDonald's Saunaka 7s team 5-22 to win the final and $20,000 cash in front of a packed house at Lawaqa Park, RugbyTown yesterday.Earlier on the final day, the Fiji Babaas halted the historic run of the New Zealand Development 7s team 17-21 in their tense semifinal.In the other Men’s comp finals – the Plate saw Ravuka 14-12 Dominion Brothers, Bowl Final - SRS Tubarua Highlanders 10-5 EMS Tabadamu and in the Shield Final - Ambassador All Stars 24-26 Ba Originals.A New Zealand Women’s 7s side, masquerading as Matakesi won the Women’s comp, beating Mount Masada 19-24 in their finals clash, after Fresh’et Navy ran out of puff in their semi.The Youth Cup saw a bit of an upset, with Dominion Brothers Youth team tripping up the Fiji U20 10-12. Earlier in the day Fiji U20 spent all their energy walloping the Japan SDS U18 team 7-35 in their semifinal clash.So congratulations to Sir Ben Gollings!In rugby league: “We are thrilled to welcome the International Player Pathway program Class of 2024,” said Peter O’Reilly, Executive Vice President International in the NFL.He added, “As we focus on the global growth of the game, expanding international talent within the NFL is critical — connecting our sport with fans across the world.”The NFL implemented a rule change this past year to give NFL teams an extra spot on their practice squad to use for international players.So will this open the door for more Pasifika talent in the NFL?In SportsBiz: Texas University athletic department reported an NCAA record US$271Million in operating revenue for 2023 fiscal year, according to USA Today.That’s nearly US$32M more than the school’s 2022 revenue and more than the previous high of US$251.6M reported by Ohio State in 2022. And this summer, the Longhorns will move to the SEC, where they will see an uptick of more than US$20M in media rightsrevenue.The 2023 fiscal year was also a record-breaking one for the athletic departments at LSU with US$200.46M and Tennessee, which came in at US$202.09M.In combat sports: In UFC297 in Ontario, Canada today – the main event – a UFC Middleweight Title fight between UFC Middleweight Champion, Sean Strickland of the USA against his opponent from South Africa, Dricus Du Plessis is expected to start around 4pm.Sean Strickland’s record is 28-5 and he is 1.85M tall, weighing in at 84Kg with a reach of 193cm.Challenger Dricus du Plessis is 20-2, also 1.85M tall, also 84Kg, and just like the Champion, his reach is exactly the same at 193cm.Now is that a match-up or what?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, Kakite and tank you all too mas for all your love and support.#TEIVOVORugby #TEIVOVODigital #TeivovoRugby #TeivovoDigital #rugby #rugby7s #FijiRugby #rugbyunion #rugbyleague #Raka #team #rugbytraining #sports #FRU #Fiji #womensrugby #rugbygirls #wrugby #ladiesrugby #womeninsport #woman #rugby #rugby7s #FijiRugby #rugbyunion #rugbyleague #fitness #weightlifting #training #team #rugbytraining #sports #rakavi #DevelopmentFiji