2018 Pacific Tests ....Are they scheduled to return ?

[Clarkent]

I thought about this but I figured:

Tonga v Samoa at Mt Smart (with no World Cup hype and possibly no JT and Fifita) 12 - 15K
New Zealand v England at just about any venue in NZ 15 - 20k

If you rent one stadium instead of two you will save on costs and Eden Park will add 5K on it's own as it would feel more like an event game. Add in some marketing and we could sell it out, if not get into the hight 40 thousands. Split the profits four ways. I think this would maximise revenue for all.

I really don't see the kiwis taking the Tongan boys back as long as kidwell is the coach lol but who knows well find out next year but it's gonna be interesting... The day international rugby comes alive is when all players are paid the same... You'll see the kiwis lose alot more then just tongan players lol

 

[roughyedspud]

If anything the Samoa vs Tonga game should be the main event if there was a double header... That stadium will be mostly filled with Tongans and samoans...

Exactly..I wanna see 30,000 red & blue fans screaming at everything! It needs to be a stand alone test..I reckon Tonga v Samoa would go close to selling out Eden park on their own!

 

[adamkungl]

I think Scotland will give them a run for their money next week tbh

Called it

 

[Clarkent]

Called it

Yeah the samoans looked tired and looked like they didn't even wanna be there... Well done to the Scots they played awesome

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Exactly..I wanna see 30,000 red & blue fans screaming at everything! It needs to be a stand alone test..I reckon Tonga v Samoa would go close to selling out Eden park on their own!

They only sold 18k at a world cup. If it's Eden Park it has to be a double header England v NZ would bring the crowd up to about 40 - 45k and the atmosphere would be amazing

 

[roughyedspud]

Nah I reckon Tonga v Samoa can easily sell out mt smart on their own! That's why I said 30,000

 

[KokoRugbyLeague]

Nah I reckon Tonga v Samoa can easily sell out mt smart on their own! That's why I said 30,000

Brother i reckon they could sell out Eden park. The Eden has had connection to pacific football in for a long time. Like lang park is to origin.

Eden park is the dream of any polynesian kid to main event.

 

[herbert henry1908]

I like Steve Mascords idea of a pacific origin series.

Just NZ, Tonga & Samoa.

Those three can make a financially viable competition in New Zealand, good crowds & presumably a good tv revenue source for NZRL.


You could run another competition between PNG, Fiji & maybe Cook Islands? Although this wouldn’t generate the same money.

 

[KokoRugbyLeague]

I like Steve Mascords idea of a pacific origin series.

Just NZ, Tonga & Samoa.

Those three can make a financially viable competition in New Zealand, good crowds & presumably a good tv revenue source for NZRL.


You could run another competition between PNG, Fiji & maybe Cook Islands? Although this wouldn’t generate the same money.

The history between the three polynesian nations is like that of the celtic nations. Thats why it means more to the fans.

 

[herbert henry1908]

The history between the three polynesian nations is like that of the celtic nations. Thats why it means more to the fans.

Yeah, game must capitalise on that.

That’s why it’s best to just have those three.

Perhaps you could have a full pacific nations series every 4 years, and seperate comps the other 3/4?

 

[Force]

NZ, Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, PNG, Fiji.

Make Origin stand alone weekends and play the Pacific series at the same time. Thats 4 quality games during those weekends.

 

[Clarkent]

Nah I reckon Tonga v Samoa can easily sell out mt smart on their own! That's why I said 30,000

I agree but that all depends on the players available... If Tonga has the same team next year and Samoa are back to full strength with Milford and so back it'll be definitely a sell out

 

[KokoRugbyLeague]

Their is a whole Samoan team missing that could have competed. Oh well we never seem to peak in cup year. Moga and Sione-Matautia was a loss. Big Sam Kasiano is our boss. Tyrone May and Anthony Milford combination is what i was salivating for. Also Auvaa who was in form at Parra. But the big blow was Denny Solomona choosing Union how i died inside.

 

[Clarkent]

Their is a whole Samoan team missing that could have competed. Oh well we never seem to peak in cup year. Moga and Sione-Matautia was a loss. Big Sam Kasiano is our boss. Tyrone May and Anthony Milford combination is what i was salivating for. Also Auvaa who was in form at Parra. But the big blow was Denny Solomona choosing Union how i died inside.

Exactly bro... The Milford and Tyrone may combination would've given the kiwis a few problems... Soliola is another big loss... I have been disappointed with papaliis performance this world cup... I went to the tongan game and he looked tired and unfit... No wonder why Josh McGuire got picked over him... Just wished we had the samoan team that faced England this year.... They would've been better after every game

 

[KokoRugbyLeague]

Enough said on papalii they are using samoa as a holiday. Their are kids in toa who want to learn but the older heads seem lack of anything to lead. Its one of my big problem of the older heads coming back to Toa washed up and not legitimately dying for the jumper like he would if he donned a maroon jumper. Pritchard is also past by his use by date and should be more a support staff. But like you said Sia soliola was the huge loss his work ethic and expectations bring us up to first tier.

 

[KokoRugbyLeague]

Mcguire was the glue in that forwar pack with soliola rounded of with tagataese in the engine room. Isaac Liu and Marty Taupau you one eye traitors using our royal jumper like trial feeders I'll never forgive you. Thank god that you got your due against Tonga. I never want to see you fellas in the jumper again.

 

[roughyedspud]

Anyone see Steve mascords tweet a few hours ago?

He basically said that the kiwis have been looking for a "origin concept" for 20 years...here it is! Tonga v Samoa mid season,in nz,winner plays NZ at the end of the year...the NZRL are the promoter!,pays the players,keeps the profits,end of financial woes!

Wtf has it got to do with the NZRL? What a bellend

 

[flamin]

Received an email last night for an early members buying window to the 2018 Pacific Test on Saturday 23 June at Campbelltown Stadium. Tonga v Samoa is the only confirmed matchup.

 

[Burns]

Received an email last night for an early members buying window to the 2018 Pacific Test on Saturday 23 June at Campbelltown Stadium. Tonga v Samoa is the only confirmed matchup.

Did it say if other games would be played?

Campbelltown is such a disappointing venue.

 

[siv]

Its played in Australia so that the NRL can manage the TV rights and any profits