POLYNESIA'S SUPER BOWL CONNECTION

Former Utah Ute and Kahuku Alumnus Chris Kemoeatu is getting a lot of praise for his outstanding play on an offensive line that boasts several big name players. The Salt Lake Tribune, the Honolulu Advertiser and numerous other media outlets are showing their approval for the fourth year man. This will be Kemoeatu's second visit to the Super Bowl but this will be the first time he comes into the game as a player - a starter no less after stepping in this year to fill in the huge void left by pro-bowler Alan Faneca whom the Steelers lost to the free agent market. Like his brother Ma'ake, Chris Kemoeatu is quickly becoming a household name.

Fellow-polynesian Steeler Troy Polamalu is getting a lot of media love too, particularly for his wild hair and purported eccentricities as reported by media outlets like the NY Times' blog FifthDown.

But come Sunday, Polamalu's trademark locks will be the best way to follow the former USC Trojan on your television screen. Based on his pro-bowl-esque contributions to the game since his emergence in the NFL six seasons ago, he will be here, then there and here again giving running backs and receivers a taste of that good 'ol Polynesian beat-down and serving up heartburn to Arizona's offensive coaches. Its always a treat to watch Troy play and this Sunday, he will be at his best.

Arizona's bringing its own Polynesian contingent to the Super Bowl this year. Polamalu's teammate, Taitusi "Deuce" Lutui is a one-man wrecking machine for the Cardinals who donned the 'sweathearts' tag this season and stamped their dominance with a potent offense that ended the year with a 9-7 record and a convincing performance over the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Title game.

Many may have forgotten the name Aaron Francisco since his collegiate days at BYU but anyone who is a fan of the Cards are all too familiar with Francisco's contributions to the once untested Arizona defensive unit. Joining Francisco on the Arizona defensive team is Idaho State's Pago Togafau who has made quite a statement in the Cards' linebacking corps.


Other's in the Super Bowl picture with ties to the islands: Arizona Defensive Lineman Travis LaBoy who played collegiately at the University of Hawaii. This is LaBoy's first season with the Cardinals after playing four seasons with the Tennessee Titans.

PACIFIC COACHING CAROUSEL

What in the world is happening to Pacific Island rugby? Just a year after the Samoa Rugby Union (SRU) announced that Tuala Lepale Niko Palamo was no longer the head coach of the Manu Samoa. No one was more surprised by that announcement than Palamo who felt that his sacking was based on "weak and unfounded" reasons. Palamo's assistants, Fepuleai Selefuti Patu and Paepae Stan Toomalatai were also given their walking papers. All three men have served their country's rugby team in several capacities throughout the past decade and beyond.

Its unknown what direction the SRU will take in hiring a new coach and there is mounting speculation that they will do their best to entice a coach with Super 14 and international experience. At the very least, they will be looking for a coach with experience on the domestic level in competitions like the Air New Zealand NPC.

In the wake of Palamo's surprise firing, Fiji has followed suit dismissing sevens wizard and IRB Sevens Series top points scorer Waisale Serevi. Serevi was at the helm for some of Fiji's most notable IRB Sevens campaigns and memorable victories but it appears that the FRU is finally fed up with Serevi's alleged insolence and blatant disregard for the FRU's policies and procedures.

As is the case in most firings, there those who are for and those who are against the FRU's decision to can their most decorated player-coach. Even Samoa's Sevens coach, Galumalemana 'Rudi' Moors expressed shock and disbelief in an interview with the Fiji Times.

and disgruntled fans are calling for the ouster of all FRU Board Members. Looks like this issue will be on the forefront of Fiji rugby news for quite some time, especially if new Fiji Sevens Head Coach Iliesa Tanivula does not duplicate the success and popularity of his predecessor.

SONNY FAI MISSING AT SEA

NRL star Sonny Fai was enjoying an afternoon at the beach when he and fellow swimmers were towed out to sea. Read the report here.

UTES PUMMEL 'TIDE

For the second time in a row, the Utah Utes busted through the BCS and took advantage of their opportunity on a national stage by embarrassing another so-called 'power conference' team under the bright lights and hype of the Superdome.

The Utes looked absolutely unstoppable on their first possession and on the next two possessions to jump ahead of a stunned Alabama team who could not deal properly with either the steamrolling Ute offense, or the smash-mouth Utah defense.

Now the talking heads will be making excuses, analyzing and re-analyzing what went wrong with John Peter Wilson, Julio Jones and everyone else that the media and Alabama head coach Saban have been touting as 'the best in the nation'. Meanwhile, Ute quarterback Brian Johnson, running back Matt Asiata and Defensive Ends Koa Misi and Paul Kreuger will be celebrating another wonderful season (13-0) and a successful BCS campaign much to the chagrin of the SEC who came into this game thinking they were going to walk all over the kids from the Mountain West.

GO UTES!