Pacific Championships 2025

[undertaker]

https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/new-pinnacle-of-rugby-league-leaves-state-of-origin-for-dead/news-story/8e0bfd72a5fa210f907b40d5f2daaaaf

 

[adamkungl]

https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/new-pinnacle-of-rugby-league-leaves-state-of-origin-for-dead/news-story/8e0bfd72a5fa210f907b40d5f2daaaaf

Do we have to be hysterical about everything
It's always big swings one way or another

 

[taste2taste]

Do we have to be hysterical about everything
It's always big swings one way or another

If given the choice, I'd much prefer to see Aus V NZ over NSW v QLD

I wouldn't have even considered saying that a couple of years ago.

Bring back the Anzac Test!!!!!

 

[undertaker]

If given the choice, I'd much prefer to see Aus V NZ over NSW v QLD

I wouldn't have even considered saying that a couple of years ago.

Bring back the Anzac Test!!!!!

At the time, I thought it was a blunder from the then-ARLC administration to scrap Kangaroos tests during the NRL season. The 2017 ANZAC test was the last one to be played.

The only way mid-season tests can be reintroduced (hence allowing the Kangaroos to play more tests in a year, especially during the 3 out of 4 years when the World Cup isn't held) is if the current NRL season is shortened by AT LEAST 2 games from the current 24 games/team during the regular season to 22 games/team (like it was pre-NRL era) when the Perth Bears enter the comp as the 18th team in 2028.

 

[Matua]

Fa'amanu Brown discussing switching to play for NZ as well as taking some of his fellow Samoans (not players) to task for how they behaved during the Pacific Champs.


I found it really interesting and highlights some of the challenges for dual/multi heritage players

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Fa'amanu Brown discussing switching to play for NZ as well as taking some of his fellow Samoans (not players) to task for how they behaved during the Pacific Champs.


I found it really interesting and highlights some of the challenges for dual/multi heritage players

Couldn’t agree any more with everything he said. Absolutely on the money in all respects.

Thanks for sharing this.

 

[siv]

A simple change to the international calender might be as follows

Oz v NZ one of test just after SOO III

Do the same for a regular one of Tonga v Samoa test

 

[RedVee]

Fa'amanu Brown discussing switching to play for NZ as well as taking some of his fellow Samoans (not players) to task for how they behaved during the Pacific Champs.


I found it really interesting and highlights some of the challenges for dual/multi heritage players

That was really good.
Thanks for posting.

 

[Dr T]

Fa'amanu Brown discussing switching to play for NZ as well as taking some of his fellow Samoans (not players) to task for how they behaved during the Pacific Champs.


I found it really interesting and highlights some of the challenges for dual/multi heritage players

That was amazing. An honest and real take from someone who has lived through the ultimate disrespect from so-called fans. I've said it before that many of us have no idea what these young players with mixed heritage must be going through, to have to make these tough choices knowing that there may be pushback. Fa'amanu has articulated very clearly what his values are and why he has chosen to go the way he has. He is to be commended and in fact the NRL should seriously consider employing him as a youth advocate for islander youth and young players. He has his priorities right and we could do a lot worse than having someone like him to be a voice for younger kids who may have to make similar tough life decisions one day in their rugby league careers.

 

[Manurewa_Marlins]

A simple change to the international calender might be as follows

Oz v NZ one of test just after SOO III

Do the same for a regular one of Tonga v Samoa test

Have all the international teams play that week. Call it international round. Play it at one stadium. All of a sudden you have another new toy you can market to the networks.

 

[adamkungl]

A simple change to the international calender might be as follows

Oz v NZ one of test just after SOO III

Do the same for a regular one of Tonga v Samoa test

I'd love to see the mid-season test return. But agree with this, it should be after Origin not before.
Move Origin to kick off the first week of May instead of the last, and have an International break where Origin 3 is now.

Australia v New Zealand @ Brisbane/Auckland
Tonga v Samoa @ Auckland/Sydney
Fiji v PNG @ Fiji/PNG
Lebanon v South Africa + Cook Islands v Niue @ Parra
USA v Canada @ Hawaii

 

[isaiah]

If given the choice, I'd much prefer to see Aus V NZ over NSW v QLD

I wouldn't have even considered saying that a couple of years ago.

Bring back the Anzac Test!!!!!

If Australia was in these championships, Samoa would have finished third. Their problem was carrying all those big boppers on the bench. Game has moved on. Cotter is the prototype forward moving on.