Quick Read
- Twelve men’s and women’s teams from the Pacific region compete in the 2025 Pacific Championships.
- The tournament begins October 18 in Port Moresby, with double-header matches for both men and women.
- Australia’s men are absent this year, replaced by Samoa; Australia’s Jillaroos defend their women’s title.
- The competition is split into Pacific Cup and Pacific Bowl formats, with finals held November 9 in Sydney.
- Key squads feature stars like James Fisher-Harris, Jarome Luai, Kezie Apps, and KL Iro.
Just days remain until rugby league takes center stage across the Pacific, as the 2025 Pacific Championships begin on October 18. This isn’t just a tournament—it’s a vibrant showcase of culture, community, and athletic prowess, bringing together twelve national teams in men’s and women’s competitions from New Zealand, Australia, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and the Cook Islands. The anticipation is palpable, and fans from villages to city stadiums are preparing for a month of high-stakes sport and Pacific pride.
2025 Pacific Championships: Format and History
The Pacific Championships, launched as the Oceania Cup in 2019, have grown into a pivotal annual event for rugby league in the region (PMN). Initially split into two tiers, the tournament provided a route for emerging teams to challenge established powerhouses. Australia claimed the inaugural Cup, and Fiji won the shield, earning promotion before the pandemic halted play in 2020. Since then, the Championships have returned with renewed investment—$7 million was injected in 2023 to grow rugby league and support the International Rugby League’s new calendar.
The women’s competition, introduced as friendlies in 2023 and formalized in 2024, now runs parallel to the men’s event. This year, both competitions feature two groups: the Pacific Cup and the Pacific Bowl. Each team plays round-robin matches, with the Pacific Cup culminating in a final, while the Pacific Bowl crowns its winner based on pool standings. For the women, the Cup and Bowl structure mirrors the men’s, reflecting the growing strength and visibility of women’s rugby league in the Pacific.
Who’s Competing: Teams and Key Players
Six men’s teams—New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and the Cook Islands—will fight for glory. The women’s tournament features Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga, PNG, and the Cook Islands. Notably, the Australian men’s team, 2024 champions, will not participate this year as they focus on hosting the 2026 World Cup; Toa Samoa steps in to fill the gap (Fox Sports).
The tournament promises top-tier talent and fierce rivalries. New Zealand fields stalwarts like James Fisher-Harris and 31-Test veteran Kieran Foran, who will set a record as the oldest Kiwi to play a Test. Samoa’s squad features nine State of Origin stars, including Brian To’o, Jarome Luai, Payne Haas, and Josh Papalii, returning for the first time since the 2022 World Cup final (NRL.com).
Tonga, led by Jason Taumalolo and Addin Fonua-Blake, brings power and experience, while Fiji’s Tui Kamikamica leads a side balancing veterans and debutants. The Cook Islands look to KL Iro and Brendan Piakura for inspiration, aiming for their first win over Fiji since 2009. Papua New Guinea, always unpredictable, will announce their squad soon, but fans expect leadership from stars like Dudley Dotoi.
In the women’s competition, Australia’s Jillaroos are defending champions, boasting Kezie Apps, Ali Brigginshaw, Tamika Upton, and Jessica Sergis. The Kiwi Ferns, captained by Georgia Hale and Raecene McGregor, mix experience with Warriors’ debutants. Samoa’s Fetu Sāmoa squad includes Jetaya Faifua, Destiny Brill, and Niall Williams-Guthrie, while the Cook Islands and Tonga showcase crossover talent from rugby union and rising NRLW stars. PNG’s Orchids, led by Fleur Ginn and Elsie Albert, continue to inspire local girls to dream big.
Opening Fixtures and Tournament Schedule
The Championships kick off with a double-header in Port Moresby: the PNG Orchids face the Cook Islands Moana (women), followed by Fiji Bati against Cook Islands Aitu (men). On Sunday, Auckland hosts a blockbuster: New Zealand Kiwis meet Toa Samoa in a clash that could set the tone for the Pacific Cup.
Full fixtures run through November, with finals scheduled for November 9 at CommBank Stadium in Sydney (men’s Pacific Cup) and the women’s final earlier that day. Key matches include:
- Saturday, October 18: PNG Orchids vs Cook Islands Moana (5pm), Fiji Bati vs Cook Islands Aitu (7pm)
- Sunday, October 19: Kiwi Ferns vs Fetu Sāmoa (3:35pm), New Zealand Kiwis vs Toa Sāmoa (6:05pm)
- Saturday, October 25: PNG vs Cook Islands, Toa Sāmoa vs Tonga
- Saturday, November 1: PNG vs Fiji
- Sunday, November 2: New Zealand vs Tonga, Kiwi Ferns vs Jillaroos
- Sunday, November 9: Finals (Sydney)
Fans can catch all games live on Sky Sport Now in New Zealand, with local listings available in Australia and PNG.
Why the Pacific Championships Matter
This tournament is more than just scores and trophies. It’s a celebration of Pacific pride—a stage where local heroes shine, communities rally, and new generations are inspired. The Championships strengthen the international game, promote women’s participation, and offer a platform for emerging nations to challenge rugby league’s giants. For many, these weeks are a rare chance to see their culture and passion reflected in world-class sport.
From the bustling streets of Port Moresby to the rugby-mad suburbs of Auckland and Brisbane, the Pacific Championships unite fans, families, and nations. Every try, tackle, and song in the stands is a testament to the region’s resilience and spirit. In a year where Australia steps back, new contenders step forward, determined to write their own chapter in Pacific rugby history.
As the 2025 Pacific Championships begin, the blend of tradition, talent, and hope on display reminds us why sport matters—not just for results, but for the stories and communities it brings together. With rising stars and historic veterans ready to make their mark, the tournament stands as a powerful symbol of Pacific unity and aspiration. Sourced from PMN, Fox Sports, and NRL.com.