2023 Rugby League Pacific Championships
| 2023 Rugby League Pacific Championships | |
|---|---|
| Number of teams | 6 (men) 7 (women) |
| Host countries |  Australia New Zealand Papua New Guinea |
| Winner | New Zealand (Cup) Papua New Guinea (Bowl) |
| Attendance | 118,986 (14,873 per game day) |
| Points scored | 551 |
| Tries scored | 101 |
| Top scorer | Jamayne Isaako (46) |
| Top try scorers | Nene McDonald (4) Ronaldo Mulitalo (4) Jamayne Isaako (4) |
< 2020 2024 > | |
The 2023 Rugby League Pacific Championships was the second edition of the Rugby League Pacific Championships and the first under its current name (having previously been called the Oceania Cup in 2019). The championship included a collection of international rugby league tournaments to be played from October to November 2023 between nations located in the Pacific region.
The competition was played in three groupings: the Pacific Cup for higher ranking men's teams, the Pacific Bowl for lower ranking men's teams, and a section of women's matches played throughout.[1][2][3][4][5]
A total of 101 tries were scored in the 13 full international matches at an average of 7.8 tries per game. There were 67 tries in the eight men's games (average 8.4) and 34 tries in five women's matches (average 6.8). A further ten tries were scored in the men's match between New Zealand A and Tonga A. Top try-scorer honours were shared by three men's players: Nene McDonald, Ronaldo Mulitalo and Jamayne Isaako, with four tries each. The top try-scorers from the women's internationals, with three each, were Abigail Roache and Mele Hufanga.
Background
[edit]The Pacific Rugby League Championships was announced August 2023, as part of a $7 million investment by the NRL and Australian Government to develop rugby league in the surrounding countries. The tournament serves a continuation of the Oceania Cup which had one edition in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. The inaugural Pacific Championships would be held across Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.[6][7][8]
Teams
[edit]Squads
[edit]Men's teams
[edit]| Competition | Team | World ranking |
Coach | Captain | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Cup | Australia |
1 | Mal Meninga |
James Tedesco | [9][10][11] |
| New Zealand |
2 | Michael Maguire |
James Fisher-Harris | [12][13] | |
 Samoa |
3 | Ben Gardiner |
Junior Paulo | [14][15] | |
| Pacific Bowl |  Cook Islands |
13 | Karmichael Hunt |
Brad Takairangi | [16] |
 Fiji |
7 | Wise Kativerata |
Tui Kamikamica | [17][18][19] | |
| Papua New Guinea |
6 | Justin Holbrook |
Kyle Laybutt | [20][21] |
Women's teams
[edit]| Competition | Team | World ranking |
Coach | Captain | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | Australia |
1 | Brad Donald |
Kezie Apps and Ali Brigginshaw | [22][11] |
| Cook Islands |
6 | Rusty Matua |
Ngatokotoru Arakua | [23] | |
| Fiji |
19 | Josaia Dakuitoga |
Josephine Maejiirs | [24][19] | |
| New Zealand |
2 | Ricky Henry |
Georgia Hale and Raecene McGregor | [12][25] | |
| Papua New Guinea |
5 | Ben Jeffries |
Sera Koroi and Belinda Gwasamun (replaced the named but injured Elsie Albert) |
[26][27][23] | |
| Samoa |
20 | Jamie Soward |
Niall Williams Guthrie | [14][28] | |
 Tonga |
16 | Kelvin Wright |
Tiana Penitani | [29] |
Venues
[edit]
Five venues across three countries were selected to host the Championships.
Auckland, New Zealand: Eden Park hosted three matches on 21 October 2023, including the second Pacific Cup match between New Zealand and Samoa, a women's match between New Zealand and Tonga, and a men's match between New Zealand A and Tonga A.
Melbourne, Australia: Melbourne Rectangular Stadium hosted a double-header on 28 October 2023, which featured men's and women's matches between Australia and New Zealand.
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea: PNG Football Stadium hosted all four Pacific Bowl matches, including the final, over a four-week period, as well as two women's matches.
Officiating
[edit]Referees and side-line officials for week one matches were announced on 10 October 2023.[30] Appointments for week two were announced on 17 October 2023, with several changes of role.[31]
|
Referees |
|
Touch Judges |
|
Bunker Review Officials |
Pacific Cup
[edit]Standings
[edit]| Pos. | Team | Pld. | W | D | L | PF | PA | Diff. | Pts. | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia
|
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 74 | 30 | +44 | 4 | Advance to Pacific Cup Final |
| 2 | New Zealand
|
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 68 | 36 | +32 | 2 | |
| 3 | Samoa
|
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 88 | –76 | 0 |
NB:
Fixtures
[edit]| Australia
|
38–12 | Samoa
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Haas 4' Tedesco 9' Fa'asuamaleaui 12' Murray 15' Tabuai-Fidow (2) 39', 54' Staggs 79' c Goals: Staggs (5/7) 5', 13', 17', 40', 80' |
1st: 28–6 2nd: 10–6 Report |
Tries: Taulagi 18' Leilua 72' Goals: Crichton (2/2) 20', 74' |
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Attendance: 18,144 Referee: Grant Atkins (Australia) Video Referee: Ashley Klein (Australia) Touch judges: Phil Henderson (Australia), Wyatt Raymond (Australia) |
| Australia | Position | Samoa | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Number | Number | Name | |
| James Tedesco | 1 | FB | 1 | Sualauvi Faalogo |
| Dylan Edwards | 2 | WG | 2 | Murray Taulagi |
| Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow | 3 | CE | 3 | Izack Tago |
| Kotoni Staggs | 4 | CE | 4 | Young Tonumaipea |
| Selwyn Cobbo | 5 | WG | 5 | Brian To'o |
| Cameron Munster | 6 | SO/FE | 6 | Stephen Crichton |
| Daly Cherry-Evans | 7 | SH/HB | 7 | Daejarn Asi |
| Payne Haas | 8 | PR | 8 | Stefano Utoikamanu |
| Ben Hunt | 9 | HK | 19 | Justin Matamua |
| Tino Fa'asuamaleaui | 10 | PF | 10 | Junior Paulo |
| Cameron Murray | 11 | SR | 11 | Luciano Leilua |
| Liam Martin | 12 | SR | 12 | Connelly Lemuelu |
| Isaah Yeo | 13 | LF/LK | 13 | Keenan Palasia |
| Harry Grant | 14 | IN | 9 | Gordon Chan Kum Tong |
| Lindsay Collins | 15 | IN | 14 | Spencer Leniu |
| Patrick Carrigan | 16 | IN | 15 | Terrell May |
| Reuben Cotter | 17 | IN | 16 | Heilum Luki |
| Nicho Hynes | 18 | CS | 18 | Royce Hunt |
| Mal Meninga | Coach | Ben Gardiner | ||
| New Zealand
|
50–0 | Samoa
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Isaako (2) 13', 24' Hughes 22' Asofa-Solomona 44' Papali'i 48' Mulitalo (2) 60', 73' Nikora 63' c Fisher-Harris 76' Goals: Isaako (7/9) 14', 23', 26', 45', 65', 75', 78' |
1st: 18–0 2nd: 32–0 Report |
| New Zealand | Position | Samoa | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Number | Number | Name | |
| Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad | 1 | FB | 1 | Sualauvi Faalogo |
| Ronaldo Mulitalo | 2 | WG | 2 | Murray Taulagi |
| Matthew Timoko | 3 | CE | 4 | Marion Seve |
| Joseph Manu | 4 | CE | 21 | Tommy Talau |
| Jamayne Isaako | 5 | WG | 20 | Greg Marzhew |
| Dylan Brown | 6 | SO/FE | 6 | Stephen Crichton |
| Jahrome Hughes | 7 | SH/HB | 7 | Daejarn Asi |
| James Fisher-Harris | 8 | PR | 8 | Stefano Utoikamanu |
| Kieran Foran | 14 | HK | 9 | Gordon Chan Kum Tong |
| Moses Leota | 10 | PF | 10 | Junior Paulo |
| Isaiah Papali'i | 11 | SR | 11 | Luciano Leilua |
| Briton Nikora | 12 | SR | 16 | Heilum Luki |
| Joseph Tapine | 13 | LF/LK | 14 | Spencer Leniu |
| Fa'amanu Brown | 9 | IN | 13 | Keenan Palasia |
| Nelson Asofa-Solomona | 15 | IN | 15 | Terrell May |
| Griffin Neame | 16 | IN | 18 | Royce Hunt |
| Leo Thompson | 17 | IN | 19 | Ronald Volkman |
| Naufahu Whyte | 18 | CS | 17 | Justin Matamua |
| Michael Maguire | Coach | Ben Gardiner | ||
| Australia
|
36–18 | New Zealand
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Holmes 8' Collins (2) 21', 30' Edwards 50' Hunt 77' Murray 79' Goals: Holmes (6/7) 9', 22', 31', 51', 65', 78' |
1st: 18–12 2nd: 18–6 Report |
Tries: Nikora 17' Mulitalo 38' Brown 69' Goals: Isaako (3/3) 19', 39', 71' |
| Australia | Position | New Zealand | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Number | Number | Name | |
| James Tedesco | 1 | FB | 1 | Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad |
| Dylan Edwards | 2 | WG | 2 | Ronaldo Mulitalo |
| Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow | 3 | CE | 3 | Matthew Timoko |
| Kotoni Staggs | 4 | CE | 4 | Joseph Manu |
| Valentine Holmes | 5 | WG | 5 | Jamayne Isaako |
| Cameron Munster | 6 | SO/FE | 6 | Dylan Brown |
| Daly Cherry-Evans | 7 | SH/HB | 7 | Jahrome Hughes |
| Jake Trbojevic | 8 | PR | 8 | James Fisher-Harris |
| Ben Hunt | 9 | HK | 9 | Kieran Foran |
| Thomas Flegler | 10 | PF | 10 | Moses Leota |
| Cameron Murray | 11 | SR | 11 | Isaiah Papali'i |
| Reuben Cotter | 12 | SR | 12 | Briton Nikora |
| Isaah Yeo | 13 | LF/LK | 13 | Joseph Tapine |
| Harry Grant | 14 | IN | 14 | Fa'amanu Brown |
| Lindsay Collins | 15 | IN | 15 | Nelson Asofa-Solomona |
| Patrick Carrigan | 16 | IN | 16 | Griffin Neame |
| Nicho Hynes | 17 | IN | 17 | Leo Thompson |
| Liam Martin | 18 | CS | 18 | Naufahu Whyte |
| Mal Meninga | Coach | Michael Maguire | ||
Final
| Australia
|
0–30 | New Zealand
|
|---|---|---|
| 1st: 0–12 2nd: 0–18 Report |
Tries: Mulitalo 14' Isaako (2) 34', 47' Timoko 59' Neame 70' Goals: Isaako (4/5) 16', 35', 61', 72' Field goals: Isaako (1/1) 67' |
| Australia | Position | New Zealand | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Number | Number | Name | |
| James Tedesco | 1 | FB | 1 | Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad |
| Dylan Edwards | 2 | WG | 2 | Ronaldo Mulitalo |
| Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow | 3 | CE | 3 | Matthew Timoko |
| Kotoni Staggs | 4 | CE | 4 | Joseph Manu |
| Valentine Holmes | 5 | WG | 5 | Jamayne Isaako |
| Cameron Munster | 6 | SO/FE | 6 | Dylan Brown |
| Daly Cherry-Evans | 7 | SH/HB | 7 | Jahrome Hughes |
| Payne Haas | 8 | PR | 8 | James Fisher-Harris |
| Ben Hunt | 9 | HK | 9 | Kieran Foran |
| Tino Fa'asuamaleaui | 10 | PF | 10 | Moses Leota |
| Liam Martin | 12 | SR | 11 | Isaiah Papali'i |
| Reuben Cotter | 17 | SR | 12 | Briton Nikora |
| Isaah Yeo | 13 | LF/LK | 13 | Joseph Tapine |
| Harry Grant | 14 | IN | 14 | Fa'amanu Brown |
| Lindsay Collins | 15 | IN | 15 | Nelson Asofa-Solomona |
| Patrick Carrigan | 16 | IN | 16 | Griffin Neame |
| Nicho Hynes | 18 | IN | 17 | Leo Thompson |
| Thomas Flegler | 19 | CS | 18 | Naufahu Whyte |
| Mal Meninga | Coach | Michael Maguire | ||
Pacific Bowl
[edit]Standings
[edit]| Pos. | Team | Pld. | W | D | L | PF | PA | Diff. | Pts. | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fiji
|
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 65 | 34 | +31 | 4 | Advance to Pacific Bowl Final |
| 2 | Papua New Guinea
|
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 62 | 53 | +9 | 2 | |
| 3 | Cook Islands
|
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 28 | 68 | –40 | 0 |
Fixtures
[edit]| Papua New Guinea
|
46–10 | Cook Islands
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Z. Laybutt 7', 39' Derby 12' Kapinias 15' Richard 22' Macdonald 26', 41', 42', 76' Goals: Z. Laybutt (5/9) 14', 16', 23', 41', 44' |
1st: 30–0 2nd: 16–10 Report |
Tries: E. Ioka 48' S. Marsters 58' Goals: E. Ioka (1/1) 60' Takairangi (0/1) |
National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Attendance: 7,133[33] Referee: Peter Gough (Australia) Video Referee: Chris Butler (Australia) Touch judges: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski (Australia), Drew Oultram (Australia) |
| Papua New Guinea | Position | Cook Islands | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Number | Number | Name | |
| Alex Johnston | 1 | FB | 1 | Esom Ioka |
| Robert Derby | 2 | WG | 2 | Malachi Morgan |
| Zac Laybutt | 3 | CE | 3 | Kayal Iro |
| Rodrick Tai | 4 | CE | 4 | Esan Marsters |
| Nene Macdonald | 5 | WG | 5 | Steven Marsters |
| Kyle Laybutt | 6 | SO/FE | 6 | Brad Takairangi |
| Lachlan Lam | 7 | SH/HB | 7 | Tevin Arona |
| Epel Kapinias | 8 | PR | 8 | Davy Moale |
| Judah Rimbu | 9 | HK | 9 | Rua Ngatikaura |
| Valentine Richard | 10 | PF | 10 | Makahesi Makatoa |
| Jacob Alick | 11 | SR | 11 | Zane Tetevano |
| Dan Russell | 12 | SR | 12 | Reuben Porter |
| Jack De Belin | 13 | LF/LK | 13 | Pride Petterson-Robati |
| Liam Horne | 14 | IN | 15 | Rhys Dakin |
| Nixon Putt | 15 | IN | 16 | Justin Estall-Makirere |
| Junior Rop | 16 | IN | 17 | Kadiyae Ioka |
| Benji Kot | 17 | IN | 18 | Takai Mokohar |
| Cruise Ten | 18 | CS | 14 | William Samuel |
| Fiji
|
22–18 | Cook Islands
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Sivo 24' Bula 55' Blake 67' Turuva 74' Goals: Wakeham (3/4) 56', 68', 75' |
1st: 4–6 2nd: 18–12 Report |
Tries: E. Marsters 18' E. Ioka 46' Cooper-Tetevano 71' Goals: S. Marsters (3/3) 19', 47', 72' |
National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Attendance: 7,001[34] Referee: Ashley Klein (Australia) Touch judges: Liam Kennedy (Australia), Todd Smith (Australia) |
| Fiji | Position | Cook Islands | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Number | Number | Name | |
| Jahream Bula | 1 | FB | 1 | Esom Ioka |
| Maika Sivo | 2 | WG | 2 | Malachi Morgan |
| Sunia Turuva | 3 | CE | 3 | Kayal Iro |
| Waqa Blake | 4 | CE | 4 | Alvin Maungaati |
| Mikaele Ravalawa | 5 | WG | 5 | Steven Marsters |
| Kurt Donoghoe | 6 | SO/FE | 6 | Brad Takairangi |
| Brandon Wakeham | 7 | SH/HB | 7 | Esan Marsters |
| Tui Kamikamica | 8 | PR | 8 | Davvy Moale |
| Noah Nailagoliva | 14 | HK | 9 | Rua Ngatikaura |
| Gordon Whippy | 16 | PF | 17 | Takai Mokohar |
| Kitione Kautoga | 11 | SR | 11 | Zane Tetevano |
| Taane Milne | 13 | SR | 12 | Reuben Porter |
| Caleb Navale | 15 | LF/LK | 13 | Pride Petterson-Robati |
| Penioni Tagituimua | 9 | IN | 10 | William Samuel |
| Apisalome Saukuru | 12 | IN | 14 | Kadiyae Ioka |
| Watisoni Waqanisaravi | 17 | IN | 15 | Rhys Dakin |
| Sirilo Lovokuro | 20 | IN | 16 | Justin Estall-Makirere |
| Pio Seci | 21 | CS | ||
| Papua New Guinea
|
16–43 | Fiji
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Johnston 2' Kot 61' Kapinias 72' Goals: Martin (2/3) 62', 73' |
1st: 4–19 2nd: 12–24 Report |
Tries: Donoghoe (2) 12', 32' Kamikamica 17' Sivo (2) 46', 48' Navale 55' Qareqare 65' Goals: Wakeham (7/8) 13', 18', 33', 48', 57', 66', 69' Field goals: Wakeham (1/1) 39' |
National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Attendance: 14,546 Referee: Ashley Klein (Australia) Touch judges: Peter Gough (Australia), Phil Henderson (Australia) |
| Papua New Guinea | Position | Fiji | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Number | Number | Name | |
| Alex Johnston | 1 | FB | 1 | Jahream Bula |
| Robert Derby | 2 | WG | 2 | Maika Sivo |
| Zac Laybutt | 3 | CE | 4 | Waqa Blake |
| Benji Kot | 4 | CE | 5 | Mikaele Ravalawa |
| Nene Macdonald | 5 | WG | 18 | Jason Qareqare |
| Kyle Laybutt | 6 | SO/FE | 6 | Kurt Donoghoe |
| Lachlan Lam | 7 | SH/HB | 7 | Brandon Wakeham |
| Epel Kapinias | 8 | PR | 8 | Tui Kamikamica |
| Edwin Ipape | 9 | HK | 9 | Penioni Tagituimua |
| Valentine Richard | 10 | PF | 10 | King Vuniyayawa |
| Rhyse Martin | 11 | SR | 12 | Apisalome Saukuru |
| Daniel Russell | 12 | SR | 13 | Taane Milne |
| Jack de Belin | 13 | LF/LK | 15 | Caleb Navale |
| Judah Rimbu | 14 | IN | 14 | Noah Nailagoliva |
| Wellington Albert | 15 | IN | 16 | Gordon Whippy |
| Keven Appo | 16 | IN | 19 | Mesake Ravonu |
| Jacob Alick | 17 | IN | 20 | Sirilo Lovokuro |
| Liam Horne | 18 | CS | 21 | Pio Seci |
| Justin Holbrook | Coach | Waisake Kativerata | ||
Final
| Fiji
|
12–32 | Papua New Guinea
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Blake (2) 42', 68' Goals: Wakeham (2/2) 42', 69' |
1st: 26–0 2nd: 6–12 Report |
Tries: Ipape 15' Derby (2) 23', 28' Johnston 38' Kapinias 75' Goals: Martin (5/5) 16', 25', 29', 39', 77' |
National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Attendance: 14,809[35] Referee: Grant Atkins (Australia) Touch judges: Liam Kennedy (Australia), Todd Smith (Australia) |
| Papua New Guinea | Position | Fiji | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Number | Number | Name | |
| Alex Johnston | 1 | FB | 1 | Jahream Bula |
| Robert Derby | 2 | WG | 2 | Maika Sivo |
| Zac Laybutt | 3 | CE | 4 | Waqa Blake |
| Rodrick Tai | 4 | CE | 5 | Mikaele Ravalawa |
| Nene Macdonald | 5 | WG | 18 | Jason Qareqare |
| Kyle Laybutt | 6 | SO/FE | 6 | Kurt Donoghoe |
| Lachlan Lam | 7 | SH/HB | 7 | Brandon Wakeham |
| Epel Kapinias | 8 | PR | 8 | Tui Kamikamica |
| Edwin Ipape | 9 | HK | 9 | Penioni Tagituimua |
| Valentine Richard | 10 | PF | 10 | King Vuniyayawa |
| Rhyse Martin | 11 | SR | 12 | Apisalome Saukuru |
| Daniel Russell | 12 | SR | 13 | Taane Milne |
| Jack de Belin | 13 | LF/LK | 15 | Caleb Navale |
| Judah Rimbu | 14 | IN | 11 | Kitione Kautoga |
| Liam Horne | 15 | IN | 16 | Gordon Whippy |
| Junior Rop | 16 | IN | 17 | Watisoni Waqanisaravi |
| Nixon Putt | 17 | IN | 21 | Pio Seci |
| Jacob Alick | 18 | CS | 20 | Sirilo Lovokuro |
| Justin Holbrook | Coach | Waisake Kativerata | ||
Women's games
[edit]A series of matches involving seven Women's teams was announced, however the number of matches to be played is irregular and there will be no semi-finals or final.
Teams
[edit]Cook Islands, 1 match
Fiji, 1 match
Samoa, 1 match
Tonga, 1 match
Fixtures
[edit]| Australia
|
16–10 | New Zealand
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Upton (2) 4', 31' Johnston 25' Goals: Brigginshaw (2/3) 5', 26' |
Report |
Tries: Biddle 12' Hufanga 43' Goals: McGregor (1/2) 44' |
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Attendance: 12,067 Referee: Todd Smith (Australia) Video Referee: Ashley Klein (Australia) Touch judges: Belinda Sharpe (Australia), Darian Furner (Australia) |
| Australia | Position | New Zealand | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Number | Number | Name | |
| Tamika Upton | 1 | FB | 1 | Apii Nicholls |
| Jaime Chapman | 2 | WG | 2 | Annessa Biddle |
| Jessica Sergis | 3 | CE | 3 | Shanice Parker |
| Isabelle Kelly | 4 | CE | 4 | Mele Hufanga |
| Julia Robinson | 5 | WG | 5 | Leianne Tufuga |
| Tarryn Aiken | 6 | SO/FE | 6 | Ashleigh Quinlan |
| Ali Brigginshaw | 7 | SH/HB | 7 | Raecene McGregor |
| Shannon Mato | 8 | PR | 8 | Mya Hill-Moana |
| Keeley Davis | 9 | HK | 9 | Brooke Anderson |
| Jessika Elliston | 10 | PF | 10 | Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa |
| Kezie Apps | 11 | SR | 11 | Otesa Pule |
| Olivia Kernick | 12 | SR | 12 | Laishon Albert-Jones |
| Simaima Taufa | 13 | LF/LK | 13 | Georgia Hale |
| Emma Tonegato | 14 | IN | 14 | Tyla Nathan-Wong |
| Caitlan Johnston | 15 | IN | 15 | Najvada George |
| Kennedy Cherrington | 16 | IN | 16 | Jasmine Fogavini |
| Lauren Brown | 18 | IN | 17 | Amelia Pasikala |
| Shaylee Bent | 17 | CS | 18 | Abigail Roache |
| Samoa
|
26–12 | Fiji
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Tui (2) 10', 42' Mapusua (2) 21', 68' Nu'uausala 31' Goals: Piliae-Rasabale (3/5) 22', 32', 70' |
Report |
Tries: Naikore 5', 54' Namoce 57' |
Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Referee: Liam Kennedy (Australia) Video Referee: Chris Butler (Australia) Touch judges: David Munro (Australia), Chris Sutton (Australia) |
| Samoa | Position | Fiji | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Number | Number | Name | |
| Destiny Mino-Sinapati | 1 | FB | 1 | Cassie Staples |
| Taylor Mapusua | 2 | WG | 2 | Vitalina Naikore |
| Petesa Lio | 3 | CE | 3 | Merewalesi Rokouno |
| Niall Williams-Guthrie | 4 | CE | 4 | Patricia Raikadroka |
| Lindsay Tui | 5 | WG | 5 | Asena Rokomaram |
| Pauline Piliae-Rasabale | 6 | SO/FE | 6 | Sienna Laing |
| Sienna Lofipo | 7 | SH/HB | 7 | Sereana Naitokatoka |
| Fiona Jahnke | 8 | PR | 8 | Aliti Namoce |
| Destiny Brill | 9 | HK | 9 | Teaghan Laing |
| Janelle Williams | 10 | PF | 10 | Anastacia Shum-Cottrell |
| Malaela Sua | 12 | SR | 11 | Talei Holmes |
| Onjeurlina Hunt | 15 | SR | 12 | Emma Rainima |
| Annetta-Claudia Nu'uasala | 13 | LF/LK | 13 | Josephine Maejiirs |
| Pihuka Berryman-Duff | 16 | IN | 14 | Siniva Sa'anga |
| Tafao Asaua | 18 | IN | 15 | Grace Waqa |
| Tamerah Leati | 19 | IN | 16 | Mere Kilawekana |
| Makayla Eli | 21 | IN | 17 | Adi Sokula Waqa |
| Sauleone Saipele | 17 | CS | 18 | Alesi Kilawekana |
| New Zealand
|
28–10 | Tonga
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Roache (3) 5', 10', 46' Pasikala 38' Hufanga 58' Goals: McGregor (2/6) 12', 40' |
Report |
Tries: Penitani (2) 25', 55' Goals: Hifo (1/2) 27' |
| New Zealand | Position | Tonga | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Number | Number | Name | |
| Shanice Parker | 1 | FB | 1 | Langi Vaeinu |
| Cheyelle Robins-Reti | 2 | WG | 2 | Lavinia Tauhalaliku |
| Mele Hufanga | 3 | CE | 3 | China Polata |
| Abigail Roache | 4 | CE | 4 | Litia Fusi |
| Leianne Tufuga | 5 | WG | 5 | Haylee Hifo |
| Tyla Nathan-Wong | 6 | SO/FE | 6 | Cassey Tohi-Hiku |
| Raecene McGregor | 7 | SH/HB | 7 | Tiana Penitani |
| Mya Hill-Moana | 8 | PR | 8 | Folau Vaki |
| Brooke Anderson | 9 | HK | 14 | Jade Fonua |
| Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa | 10 | PF | 10 | Tegan Dymock |
| Otesa Pule | 11 | SR | 11 | Amelia Mafi |
| Annessa Biddle | 12 | SR | 12 | Vanessa Foliaki |
| Georgia Hale | 13 | LF/LK | 13 | Dannii Perese |
| Capri Paekau | 14 | IN | 9 | Seli Mailangi |
| Najvada George | 15 | IN | 15 | Natasha Penitani |
| Amelia Pasikala | 16 | IN | 16 | Ilaisaane Taufa |
| Tiana Davison | 17 | IN | 17 | Shannon Muru |
| Jasmine Fogavini | 18 | CS | 18 | Fatafehi Hanisi |
| Papua New Guinea
|
28–20 | Cook Islands
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Kapo 9' Banu 18' Allan (2) 22', 48' Kerowa 34' Norris 44' Goals: Veivers (2/6) 10', 20' |
Report |
Tries: Makira 14' Rewi 26' Takairangi 58' Holloway-Samuels 63' Goals: Kiria-Ratu (2/4) 16', 65' |
Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Attendance: 7,001[36] Referee: Belinda Sharpe (Australia) |
| Papua New Guinea | Position | Cook Islands | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Number | Number | Name | |
| Latoniya Norris | 1 | FB | 1 | Kiana Takairangi |
| Lyiannah Allan | 2 | WG | 2 | Alesha Willcox |
| Belinda Gwasamum | 3 | CE | 3 | Kaiyah Atai |
| Shellie Long | 4 | CE | 4 | Chantelle Holloway-Samuels |
| Freda Waula | 5 | WG | 5 | Mahinaarangi Rewi |
| Sera Koroi | 6 | SO/FE | 6 | Chantay Kiria-Ratu |
| Ua Ravu | 7 | SH/HB | 7 | Lydia Turua-Quedley |
| Gloria Kaupa | 10 | PR | 8 | Ngatokotoru Arakua |
| Roswita Kapo | 9 | HK | 9 | Chelsea Makira |
| Jessikah Reeves | 13 | PF | 10 | Crystal Tamarua |
| Emily Vievers | 11 | SR | 11 | Jazmon Tupou-Witchman |
| Essay Banu | 12 | SR | 14 | Kerehitina Matua |
| Bertshiba Awoi | 16 | LF/LK | 13 | Anneka Stephens |
| Meli Joe | 14 | IN | 12 | Ariel Ngatoko |
| Sareka Mooka | 15 | IN | 15 | Paulina Morris-Ponga |
| Yolanda Taute | 17 | IN | 16 | Lavinia Kitai |
| Leila Kerowa | 19 | IN | 17 | Jodeci Joseph |
| Lancy Ulkambane | 18 | CS | 18 | Kiana Sword-Tua |
| Australia
|
6–12 | New Zealand
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Chapman 9' Goals: Brown (1/1) 10' |
Report |
Tries: Hufanga 34' Tufuga 62' Goals: McGregor (2/2) 35', 64' |
| Australia | Position | New Zealand | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Number | Number | Name | |
| Tamika Upton | 1 | FB | 1 | Apii Nicholls |
| Jaime Chapman | 2 | WG | 2 | Leianne Tufuga |
| Jessica Sergis | 3 | CE | 3 | Mele Hufanga |
| Isabelle Kelly | 4 | CE | 4 | Abigail Roache |
| Jakiya Whitfeld | 5 | WG | 5 | Shanice Parker |
| Tarryn Aiken | 6 | SO/FE | 6 | Tyla Nathan-Wong |
| Ali Brigginshaw | 7 | SH/HB | 7 | Raecene McGregor |
| Shannon Mato | 8 | PR | 10 | Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa |
| Lauren Brown | 9 | HK | 9 | Brooke Anderson |
| Kezie Apps | 11 | PF | 15 | Najvada George |
| Olivia Kernick | 12 | SR | 11 | Annessa Biddle |
| Yasmin Clydsdale | 15 | SR | 12 | Otesa Pule |
| Simaima Taufa | 13 | LF/LK | 13 | Georgia Hale |
| Jessika Elliston | 10 | IN | 8 | Mya Hill-Moana |
| Emma Tonegato | 14 | IN | 14 | Ashleigh Quinlan |
| Kennedy Cherrington | 16 | IN | 16 | Jasmine Fogavini |
| Emma Manzelmann | 17 | IN | 17 | Tiana Davison |
| Shaylee Bent | 18 | CS | 18 | Laishon Albert-Jones |
Other matches
[edit]21 October 2023
|
| New Zealand A
|
36–26 | Tonga A
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Warbrick 2, Howarth, Kini, Roache, Leiataua Goals: Tuaupiki 6 |
Report (NZRL) |
Tries: Koloamatangi-Kalepo, Finefeuiaki, Foketi, Francis Goals: Teaupa 3 |
Attendance
[edit]The combined attendance for the eight game days was 118,986.
- Australia 38,728 for the two double-headers in Townsville (18,144) and Melbourne (20,584).
- New Zealand 36,769 for the triple-header in Auckland (23,269) and men's Cup final in Hamilton (13,500).
- Papua New Guinea 43,489 for the four game days in Port Moresby. Note that the first two of the four attendance figures (7,133, 7,001, 14,546, and 14,809) are as published on the Rugby League Project website.[33][34][35]
- The combined attendance total counts attendees of each double-header match, and triple-header in Auckland, just once.
- Average attendance for the eight game days is 14,873.
References
[edit]- ^ "Australia, New Zealand, PNG to host 2023 Pacific Championships". Rugby League International Federation. 15 August 2023.
- ^ "Eden Park to Host Rugby League Triple Header this Labour Weekend". NZRL. 16 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ^ "NRL announce 2023 Pacific Championships". NRL. 16 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ^ Walter, Brad (16 August 2023). "World Cup final rematches headline end of year Pacific Championships". NRL. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ^ "International rugby league returns in southern hemisphere this autumn with full schedule locked in". LoveRugbyLeague. 16 August 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ "Pacific Rugby League Championships". Prime Minister of Australia. 16 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ Evans, Kyle (18 August 2023). "Pacific State of Origin: PNG and Fiji to co-host to new international rugby league tournament". ABC. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ "IRL - News".
- ^ Harper, Lachlan (18 September 2023). "Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga springs selection shock with Nat Butcher added to train-on squad". WWOS Nine. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ "Kangaroos name five debutants in Pacific Championships squad". NRL. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Australian men's and women's squads announced for Pacfiic Championships". League Unlimited. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Maguire and Henry Re-Appointed as Head Coaches through to 2025 Rugby League World Cup". NZRL. 5 July 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
- ^ "Fisher-Harris confirmed as new Kiwis captain". NRL.com. 15 October 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Samoa Appoint NRL, NRLW Coaches For Pacific Championships". International Rugby League. Rugby League Samoa. 20 September 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
- ^ "Grand final stars feature in strong Toa Samoa squad". NRL. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ "Cook Islanders arrive". The National. 12 October 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
- ^ Romena, Romeka (22 February 2023). "Kativerata is new Fiji Bati Coach". fijilive.com. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
- ^ "Kativerata named permanent coach of Bati after impressive World Cup campaign". ABC. 24 February 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
- ^ a b "Exciting rookie duo headline talented Fiji Pacific Championships squad". NRL. 6 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- ^ "Kumuls coup: In-demand Holbrook to coach Papua New Guinea". National Rugby League. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
- ^ Walter, Brad (15 October 2023). "'He smashes people': Lam backs Laybutt to lead from front". NRL.com. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
- ^ "Three Test newcomers among Jillaroos squad for Pacific Championships". NRL. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ a b Hogan, Kelsey (22 October 2023). "Orchids survive late comeback to overcome Cook Islands". NRL. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ Walter, Brad (23 September 2023). "Big dreams ahead: Fiji announce captain, coach, World Cup ambitions". NRL. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ "Kiwi Ferns name Co-Captains to lead Pacific Championships Squad". NZRL. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
- ^ "Holbrook, Grima offered big roles". 25 August 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ Walter, Brad (5 October 2023). "Seven NRLW stars in PNG Orchids squad". NRL. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ "A massive privilege: Fetu Samoa relish Williams-Guthrie inclusion". NRL. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ "Tonga name Penitani, Polata in Pacific Championships squad". NRL. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ "Match Officials: Pacific Championships Week 1". NRL. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
- ^ "Match Officials: Pacific Championships Week 2". NRL. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- ^ "Australia vs. New Zealand - Australia 0 lost to New Zealand 30 - RLP". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ a b "Papua New Guinea vs. Cook Islands - Papua New Guinea 46 def. Cook Islands 10 - RLP". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ a b "Fiji vs. Cook Islands - Fiji 22 def. Cook Islands 18 - RLP". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Fiji Bati 12-32 PNG Kumuls - Final 2023". NRL. 5 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
- ^ "Papua New Guinea (W) vs. Cook Islands (W) - Papua New Guinea (W) 28 def. Cook Islands (W) 20 - RLP". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 30 October 2023.