Pacific Championships 2025

[Burns]

Just on the ticketing front

Sales in NZ for the Samoa match at Mt Smart at absolutely dire. The Western stand seems to not be on sale, and there is very very little movement in the Eastern or Southern.

Appreciate there is still a month to go, but tracking well below the 17,000 crowd they got in the 2017 World Cup at the same ground.

For comparison, NZ have played Tonga three times since 2019 at Mt Smart and got around the 20,000 - 23,000 mark.

 

[Jim from Oz]

Bizarre, I'd have thought there'd be high demand for this … has there been much advertising for it ?

 

[Matua]

Bizarre, I'd have thought there'd be high demand for this … has there been much advertising for it ?

The only advertising for it is players being unavailable. For example Hughes might be fit for the Storm but wont be for the Kiwis.

Hard (for some, not me I'm ride or die) to get behind the Kiwis when there are so many obstacles in getting the best team on the park. Even this place, a league forum, has a NZ section which barely cares about the Kiwis.

 

[jolly boys outing]

'Hard to say no': Foran, Kini declare Kiwi availability for Pacific Championships

Kieran Foran may have called time on his NRL career after 17 seasons, but he has admitted it'll be very hard to say no to representing his country one more time.

www.titans.com.au

 

[Matua]

'Hard to say no': Foran, Kini declare Kiwi availability for Pacific Championships

Kieran Foran may have called time on his NRL career after 17 seasons, but he has admitted it'll be very hard to say no to representing his country one more time.

www.titans.com.au

We'll actually need him, so Jones will be stupid to overlook him.

 

[Coastbloke]

Obviously the kangaroos would pay better wouldn’t it ?

Think they used to get $30,000 per match (Origin $50,000 but that went into compulsory Super) Possible bonus if they won the WC.

With the Pacific Championships I think the players union and the ARLC came to an agreement where Australia, NZ, Samoa and Tonga players received $3000 a match. Not sure about PNG or Fiji…

 

[Wb1234]

Think they used to get $30,000 per match (Origin $50,000 but that went into compulsory Super) Possible bonus if they won the WC.

With the Pacific Championships I think the players union and the ARLC came to an agreement where Australia, NZ, Samoa and Tonga players received $3000 a match. Not sure about PNG or Fiji…

I’m guessing they make more with the ashes tour

Same would’ve applied to Tonga and Samoa when they toured England

 

[Wb1234]

 

[Wb1234]

Tonga team returns home to inspire before Pacific Cup

National hero Jason Taumalolo and the Tongan team will prepare for the Pacific Championships with a visit to the country for the first time since 2019.

au.news.yahoo.com

 

[wgd]

Ticket sales are looking pretty dire, only a few weeks out. Hopefully, once the GF is done and the tournament gets some attention, things will pick up.

- Looks less than 10k at Mt. Smart. Pretty disappointed how quickly it sells out for Warriors games.
- Suncorp is selling OK. They've opened up level 5, which means close to 20k or so sold. Really think this game could get 35k if marketed right, considering the popularity of RL in Brisbane currently.
- 2/3rd of the Eden Park isn't on sale yet. Less than 10k sold.

 

[jolly boys outing]

Ticket sales are looking pretty dire, only a few weeks out. Hopefully, once the GF is done and the tournament gets some attention, things will pick up.

- Looks less than 10k at Mt. Smart. Pretty disappointed how quickly it sells out for Warriors games.
- Suncorp is selling OK. They've opened up level 5, which means close to 20k or so sold. Really think this game could get 35k if marketed right, considering the popularity of RL in Brisbane currently.
- 2/3rd of the Eden Park isn't on sale yet. Less than 10k sold.

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

 

[jolly boys outing]

LAYBUTT RETURNS FOR PNG PM'S 13 — EMTV ONLINE

Former Kumul captain Kyle Laybutt comes out of retirement as he headlines a 20-man PNG Prime Minister's 13 side that will take on Australia on Sunday.

emtv.com.pg

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Jones names experienced Kiwis squad for Pacific Championships

New Zealand Kiwis head coach Stacey Jones has named a seasoned 21-man squad for the upcoming Pacific Championships campaign against Samoa and Tonga starting this month.

www.nrl.com

Utoikamanu, Toia, Halasima head list of Tonga debutants

Tonga have named a 21-man squad for the upcoming Pacific Championships they will contest with Samoa and New Zealand.

www.nrl.com

Blend of experience and youth in Toa Samoa squad

Veteran prop Josh Papalii has returned to the Toa Samoa side on a two-year mission to lead his country to a historic World Cup victory.

www.nrl.com

 

[League Unlimited News]

Men's Pacific Cup​

Sunday 19 October 4:05pm - New Zealand v Samoa, Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Sunday 26 October 4:00pm - Samoa v Tonga, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Sunday 2 November 4:05pm - New Zealand v Tonga, Eden Park, Auckland
Sunday 9 Novmeber 4:05pm - Final (1st v 2nd), Commbank Stadium, Sydney

New Zealand​

Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Melbourne Storm), Dylan Brown (Parramatta Eels), Erin Clark (New Zealand Warriors), Phoenix Crossland (Newcastle Knights), James Fisher-Harris (c) (New Zealand Warriors), Kieran Foran (Gold Coast Titans), Jamayne Isaako (The Dolphins), Keano Kini (Gold Coast Titans), Sebastian Kris (Canberra Raiders), Moses Leota (Penrith Panthers), Jeremy Marshall-King (The Dolphins), Casey McLean (Penrith Panthers), Ronaldo Mulitalo (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (New Zealand Warriors), Briton Nikora (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Isaiah Papali'i (Penrith Panthers), Scott Sorensen (Penrith Panthers), Joseph Tapine (Canberra Raiders), Matthew Timoko (Canberra Raiders), Naufahu Whyte (Sydney Roosters), Xavier Willison (Brisbane Broncos)

Samoa​

Ata Mariota (Raiders), Benaiah Ioelu (Roosters), Blaize Talagi-Seuala (Panthers), Brian To'o (Panthers), Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors), Deine Mariner (Broncos), Francis Molo (Dolphins), Izack Tago (Panthers), Jarome Luai (Wests Tigers), Jaydn Su'A (Dragons), Jazz Tevaga (Sea Eagles), Jeremiah Nanai (Cowboys), Josh Papalii (Raiders), Junior Paulo (Eels), Lyhkan King-Togia (Dragons), Murray Taulagi (Cowboys), Payne Haas (Broncos), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors), Simi Sasagi (Raiders), Taylan May (Wests Tigers), and Terrell May (Wests Tigers)

Tonga​

Paul Alamoti (Panthers), Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Dolphins), Addin Fonua-Blake (c) (Sharks), Moeaki Fotuaika (Titans), Leka Halasima (Warriors), Siliva Havili (Rabbitohs), Lehi Hopoate (Sea Eagles), Eliesa Katoa (Storm), Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins), Sione Katoa (Sharks), Felise Kaufusi (Dolphins), Tolu Koula (Sea Eagles), Isaiah Iongi (Eels), Soni Luke (Panthers), Will Penisini (Eels), Jason Taumalolo (c) (Cowboys), Robert Toia (Roosters), Daniel Tupou (Roosters), Stefano Utoikamanu (Storm), Demitric Vaimauga (Warriors), Siua Wong (Roosters).

https://leagueunlimited.com/news/43169-squads-2025-post-season-internationals/

 

[Bobby DIGital]

All 3 squads are strong, and this is where you'll see the best middle forward battles in the game.

 

[Wb1234]

All 3 squads are strong, and this is where you'll see the best middle forward battles in the game.

Looking forward to tonga Samoa more then origin

 

[Bobby DIGital]

It looks like Kieran Foran now has the longest spanning international career. 2009 - 2025. I pushed Chatgpt to it's limit to find the answer to this question, and it has tentatively verified it lol.

 

[ozenzud]

Games going to be embarrassingly empty unless there's a major surge

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Games going to be embarrassingly empty unless there's a major surge

I think there will be at Suncorp

This weekend all the PI cultural RL tourneys (Samoa, Tonga and Maori) are happening in Brisbane. Once they are over Im betting the word of mouth amongst the community will get the ball rolling faster

 

[MKCS]

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.