Pacific Championships 2025

[Matua]

I think the Pacific Championship tickets might be slow due to lack of stars on display. Lets be real, the only prime tier 1 star players named in those squads are the likes of Luai and Haas, maybe Fisher-Harris as well but he does seem to be a step below both of them. If Fidow and Hughes were available (And I'm sure I'm missing others) then there might be at least some more interest and more than two big players to market around.

Unfortunately I think all the players that would move big tickets currently are in the Australian side. Walsh, Cleary, Grant, Munster, Yeo etc.

I'll still turn up for the final though and support the international game.

That's a very Australian-centric look at it, the majority of fans in NZ deciding to go to these matches or not aren't making a decision based on what Australians are there or aren't there. Tongan fans are going to watch Taumalolo, Fonua-Blake etc. Although scheduling a match at Eden Park seemed a bit overconfident when they could have had a packed Mt Smart.

Aussies not wanting to go see NZ and PI teams in big numbers is hardly surprising though.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

kiwis have really regressed when it comes to appealing to the kiwi public.

Some might even suggest that the team (a) being weakened and (b) no longer properly representing the demographics of the sport in NZ, as the result of the (celebrated and encouraged) defection of Kiwis to other nations, might have something to do with this.

Surprisingly the widespread support and admiration for everyone involved in shitting on the Kiwis to "grow the international game" may not have been very inspiring for Kiwis fans.

 

[Matua]

So, looking a the schedule today, and clearly not really thinking about it previously, I think it's stupid there is only 3 teams. They should have included either PNG or Fiji and then we could have had two games a weekend. Instead the Kiwis play a game, then a weekend with no Kiwis game, and then a game. And the team of the 3 that doesn't make the final only plays two games.

 

[jolly boys outing]

So, looking a the schedule today, and clearly not really thinking about it previously, I think it's stupid there is only 3 teams. They should have included either PNG or Fiji and then we could have had two games a weekend. Instead the Kiwis play a game, then a weekend with no Kiwis game, and then a game. And the team of the 3 that doesn't make the final only plays two games.

This is why I miss the old tri/4nations tournament.

 

[League Unlimited News]

Teamlists are in for Week 1

Men's Pacific Cup
https://leagueunlimited.com/news/leagueunlimited-intl-m-teams-2025-pacific-cup/
Men's Pacific Bowl
https://leagueunlimited.com/news/leagueunlimited-intl-m-teams-2025-pacific-bowl/
Women's Pacific Cup
https://leagueunlimited.com/news/leagueunlimited-intl-w-teams-2025-pacific-cup/
Women's Pacific Bowl
https://leagueunlimited.com/news/leagueunlimited-intl-w-teams-2025-pacific-bowl/

 

[League Unlimited News]

 

[Billythekid]

So, looking a the schedule today, and clearly not really thinking about it previously, I think it's stupid there is only 3 teams. They should have included either PNG or Fiji and then we could have had two games a weekend. Instead the Kiwis play a game, then a weekend with no Kiwis game, and then a game. And the team of the 3 that doesn't make the final only plays two games.

Yep. The 3 team format is f**king awful and is holding back this format. 4 teams just make far more sense, shit I think even a 2 teams 3 match series between Samoa and Tonga would probably be better and get more hype than this.

 

[Perth Tiger]

I have been saying since back in the Wolfpack days that it should be a 4 team format and we should bring in USA and Canada to fill the 2 spots in the Bowl comp.

It is a shame that Canada have probably drop off any competitive structure and the USA comp seems to be a shambles now but if we are going to continue with Vegas, lets at least give the USA team a guaranteed few games each year against quality opposition that would allow them to develop funding/sponsorship opportunities and a chance to grow.

It could also open up Hawaii as a chance to host the tournament and perhaps have the bowl comp at least break even.

 

[Billythekid]

I feel like some won’t like this but I feel we often want to include countries who are basically pie in the sky options. If anything we should be looking to bring PNG into the tier 1 fold. They will now have a team in the NRL, they have a large population and frankly have the most potential of any country right now.

Sure if you can make something work with the US or Canada, great you do that but I don’t see it as a priority.

I don’t want to poo poo the concept entirely because I’m just happy to be getting international league but I’m just not sure this is it.

 

[Perth Tiger]

I feel like some won’t like this but I feel we often want to include countries who are basically pie in the sky options. If anything we should be looking to bring PNG into the tier 1 fold. They will now have a team in the NRL, they have a large population and frankly have the most potential of any country right now.

Sure if you can make something work with the US or Canada, great you do that but I don’t see it as a priority.

I don’t want to poo poo the concept entirely because I’m just happy to be getting international league but I’m just not sure this is it.

That is pretty much what I suggested. The Pacific cup would be 4 teams so either PNG or Fiji would be playing against NZ, Sam, Tonga. But whoever is left out would need extra teams to play alongside Cook Islands. So you would either have them playing no games, include heritage teams or try and develop someone.

Canada would of been worthwhile if the Wolfpack had stuck around as they were trying to create development pathways. US is similar and depends if PVLs statements about developing RL in the USA are all talk or not

 

[jolly boys outing]

I feel like some won’t like this but I feel we often want to include countries who are basically pie in the sky options. If anything we should be looking to bring PNG into the tier 1 fold. They will now have a team in the NRL, they have a large population and frankly have the most potential of any country right now.

Sure if you can make something work with the US or Canada, great you do that but I don’t see it as a priority.

I don’t want to poo poo the concept entirely because I’m just happy to be getting international league but I’m just not sure this is it.

PNG should really be touring france&UK every 2 years and playing in the pacific cup when not touring.

 

[Manurewa_Marlins]

PNG should really be touring france&UK every 2 years and playing in the pacific cup when not touring.

Pacific Six Nations every two years, this year would be NZ, Tonga, Samoa, PNG, Fiji, Kukis.

Each team plays eachother, top two play a final (or can just go strictly league format). Can triple header the games if you need to.

Can rotate teams in and out to play England.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

2 Nations go to Europe each year to play England and France in a four nations tournament and the other four stay home for the Pacific Championships.

E.g.

4 Nations: Australia, New Zealand, England France
Pac Cup: Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, PNG

The touring nations rotate each year.

Cook Islands is a country with a population of 10,000 people, we don't really need to be having them in these tournaments.

 

[Bobby DIGital]

Some might even suggest that the team (a) being weakened and (b) no longer properly representing the demographics of the sport in NZ, as the result of the (celebrated and encouraged) defection of Kiwis to other nations, might have something to do with this.

Surprisingly the widespread support and admiration for everyone involved in shitting on the Kiwis to "grow the international game" may not have been very inspiring for Kiwis fans.

I know you said that Mariner is the worst of the lot, but I think it could be KL Iro. Dad and uncle both played for NZ, but is throwing away his international career to play in a 2nd rate comp for said uncle (who's selfish).

 

[Last Week]

Pacific Six Nations every two years, this year would be NZ, Tonga, Samoa, PNG, Fiji, Kukis.

Each team plays eachother, top two play a final (or can just go strictly league format). Can triple header the games if you need to.

Can rotate teams in and out to play England.

Getting players to play 5 or 6 matches for their country is like pulling teeth.

It's a miracle they play 3 with the current format.

 

[Matua]

I know you said that Mariner is the worst of the lot, but I think it could be KL Iro. Dad and uncle both played for NZ, but is throwing away his international career to play in a 2nd rate comp for said uncle (who's selfish).

He mostly grew up in the Cooks, and despite what some say I think he'd only ever be a fringe Kiwi. Also, I don't think Tony Iro is involved anymore, Hunt is the Kuki's coach. Also, I'm glad he doesn't play for us just based on the stupid way he wants his name to be written.

Mariner was born and bred in NZ and chose Samoa. If only it was a matter of faith.

 

[taste2taste]

There's nothing wrong with the current schedule, it's the best they can do with what they've got.

The stadium choices were poor.

People just aren't invested in international league like they are with thier NRL side. If the Pac Champs are high quality games fans will become more invested but that's going to take years. The NRL would have had a 5 yr plan with the Pac Champs and after that they'll gauge its success.

Imo the NRL season is too long and fans switch off after the Grand Final. If the NRL was serious about int RL these games would be mid season while interest is high. At the very least they could bring back the Anzac Test

 

[taste2taste]

Some might even suggest that the team (a) being weakened and (b) no longer properly representing the demographics of the sport in NZ, as the result of the (celebrated and encouraged) defection of Kiwis to other nations, might have something to do with this.

Which players in the Samoan and Tongan teams would be selected to a full strength Kiwi team ?

Can you elaborate on (b) no longer properly representing the demographics of the sport in NZ

 

[Bobby DIGital]

He mostly grew up in the Cooks, and despite what some say I think he'd only ever be a fringe Kiwi. Also, I don't think Tony Iro is involved anymore, Hunt is the Kuki's coach. Also, I'm glad he doesn't play for us just based on the stupid way he wants his name to be written.

Mariner was born and bred in NZ and chose Samoa. If only it was a matter of faith.

Damn, looks like I haven't been keeping up with my Kuki news. Although come to think of it, I think I had heard or saw that our biggest ever traitor was now the coach lol. I must have subconsciously ignored that.

But yeah, it's a waste of a rep career. It will take a long time before the Kukis are as competitive as the other island teams.

We are pretty well served in the centres and you're right about the name change btw.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Tonga v Samoa ticket sales are approaching the 40k mark and the upper tier of Suncorp is opening up for ticket sales soon.

If this game could get 50k it would be amazing