The 2025 Pacific Championships are set to reignite some of the game’s fiercest international rivalries as Samoa return to the men's Cup draw to tackle the Kiwis and Tonga.
The powerful Samoa outfit is back after missing last year’s Pacific Championships to tour the UK and they will unleash a monster pack that includes Payne Haas, Josh Papalii, Jaydn Su'A and Junior Paulo.
With defending Pacific Cup champions Australia facing England in the Ashes, the stage is set for Samoa, Tonga and New Zealand to stage a battle royale for supremacy.
It all kicks off in Auckland on Sunday with the Kiwis and Samoa doing battle for the first time since 2023, when a 22-point haul from Jamayne Isaako steered New Zealand to a 50-0 victory.
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The women's Pacific Cup also kicks off on Sunday at Go Media Stadium with the Kiwi Ferns hosting Fetu Samoa, who will be guided around the park by Titans duo Taliah Fuimaono and Pauline Piliae-Rasabale, while Broncos young gun Shalom Sauaso will bring impact off the bench in her Test debut.
Defending champions the Jillaroos begin their campaign against Samoa in the Suncorp Stadium double-header on October 26 before heading across the Tasman to face the Kiwi Ferns in an Eden Park blockbuster on November 2.
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The men’s and women’s Pacific Bowl tournaments will be played over three consecutive weekends at Santos Stadium in Port Moresby.
Fiji and Cook Islands kick things off this weekend for the men before the PNG Kumuls and Cook Islands battle it out in week two.
The women's Bowl tournament begins with Elsie Albert's PNG Orchids looking to deliver a first-up win over Cook Islands on Saturday.
The fast and furious action across the next three weekends takes us to CommBank Stadium on Sunday, November 9 for the Pacific Cup finals.
View the full draw online: //marvelbet365.com/pacific-championships
Pacific Championships Week 1
Fiji Bati v Cook Islands Aitu, Saturday 4.00pm (AEDT) at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Match: Fiji Bati v Cook Islands Aitu
Round 1 -
home Team
Fiji Bati
away Team
Cook Islands Aitu
Venue: Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Tale of the Tape
- Fiji have 11 players with NRL experience, compared with eight for Cook Islands.
- Cook Islands have not defeated Fiji since 2009.
- Fiji have five players making their Test debuts, while Cook Islands have only one.
- Cook Islands line-up includes Broncos grand final winner Brendan Piakura.
Kiwis v Toa Samoa, Sunday 4.05pm (AEDT) at Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Match: Kiwis v Toa Samoa
Round 1 -
home Team
Kiwis
away Team
Toa Samoa
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Tale of the Tape
- The Kiwis have won all five Test matches against Samoa.
- Samoa’s line-up includes nine State of Origin players.
- Kiwi winger Jamayne Isaako has scored 84 points in his last six Test appearances.
- Samoa’s line-up includes Broncos grand final stars Payne Haas and Deine Mariner.
- The Kiwis average 158 NRL games per player, compared with 135 for Samoa.
PNG Orchids v Cook Islands Moana, Saturday 2.00pm (AEDT) at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Match: PNG Orchids v Cook Islands Moana
Round 1 -
home Team
PNG Orchids
away Team
Cook Islands Moana
Venue: Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Tale of the Tape
- The Orchids defeated the Cook Islands 28-20 in 2023 in their only previous meeting.
- Cook Islands have won only one of their past five Tests.
- The Orchids have named eight players to make their Test debuts and Cook Islands six.
- Cook Islands have 11 players with NRLW experience, the Orchids only six.
Kiwi Ferns v Fetu Samoa, Sunday 1.35pm (AEDT) at Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Match: Kiwi Ferns v Fetu Samoa
Round 1 -
home Team
Kiwi Ferns
away Team
Fetu Samoa
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Tale of the Tape
- The Kiwi Ferns have won all four Test matches against Samoa.
- Fetu Samoa have won their last four Tests.
- The Kiwi Ferns have 502 games in NRLW experience, compared with 333 for Fetu Samoa.
- Fetu Samoa have nine players aged 20 or younger.
