2023 Pacific Rugby League Championships
The 2023 Pacific Rugby League Championships is the second edition of the Pacific Rugby League Championship and the first under its current name (having previously been called the Oceania Cup in 2019). The championship includes a collection of international rugby league tournaments to be played from October to November 2023 between nations located in the Pacific region.
| 2023 Pacific Rugby League Championship | |
|---|---|
| Number of teams | 6 (men) 7 (women) |
| Host countries | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Australia New Zealand Papua New Guinea |
2024 > | |
The competition will be 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]
Teams
Squads
Men's teams
| Competition | Team | World ranking |
Coach | Captain | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Cup | Australia | 1 | Mal Meninga | James Tedesco | [6][7][8] |
| New Zealand | 2 | Michael Maguire | James Fisher-Harris | [9][10] | |
 Samoa | 3 | Ben Gardiner | Junior Paulo | [11][12] | |
| Pacific Bowl |  Cook Islands | 13 | Karmichael Hunt | Brad Takairangi | [13] |
 Fiji | 7 | Wise Kativerata | Tui Kamikamica | [14][15][16] | |
| Papua New Guinea | 6 | Justin Holbrook | Kyle Laybutt | [17][18] |
Women's teams
| Competition | Team | World ranking |
Coach | Captain | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | Australia | 1 | Brad Donald | Kezie Apps and Ali Brigginshaw | [19][8] |
| Cook Islands | 6 | ||||
| Fiji | 19 | Josaia Dakuitoga | Josephine Maejiirs | [20][16] | |
| New Zealand | 2 | Ricky Henry | Georgia Hale and Raecene McGregor | [9][21] | |
| Papua New Guinea | 5 | Ben Jeffries | Elsie Albert | [22][23] | |
| Samoa | 20 | Jamie Soward | Niall Williams Guthrie | [11][24] | |
 Tonga | 16 | Kelvin Wright | Tiana Penitani | [25] |
Venues
Five venues have been selected to host the Championships
- PNG Football Stadium in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea will host all four Pacific Bowl matches over four weeks, including the Final. In addition, weeks one and two will be double-headers with Women's matches.
- North Queensland Stadium in Townsville, Australia will host week one of the Pacific Cup along with the first of two Women's matches between Australia and New Zealand.
- Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand will host week two of the Pacific Cup in a triple-header along with a Women's match between the Kiwi Ferns and Tonga, and a men's match between New Zealand A and Tonga A.[2]
- Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne, Australia will host week three of the Pacific Cup along with the second of two Women's matches between Australia and New Zealand.
- Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand will host the Final of the Pacific Cup.
Officiating
Referees and side-line officials for week one matches were announced on 10 October 2023.[26] Appointments for week two were announced on 17 October 2023, with several changes of role.[27]
|
Referees |
|
Touch Judges |
|
Bunker Review Officials |
Pacific Cup
Standings
| Pos. | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 12 | +26 | 2 | Advance to Pacific Cup Final |
| 2 | New Zealand |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 0 | +50 | 2 | |
| 3 | Samoa |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 88 | -76 | 0 |
NB: Tonga were intended to participate but had already arranged a tour of England before the tournament was announced.
Fixtures
| Australia |
38–12 | Samoa |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Haas 4' c Tedesco 9' m Fa'asuamaleaui 12' c Murray 15' c Tabuai-Fidow (2) 39' c, 54' m Staggs 79' c Goals: Staggs (5/7) 5', 13', 17', 40', 80' |
1st: 28–6 2nd: 10–6 Report |
Tries: Taulagi 18' c Leilua 72' c 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 | |
| 1 | FB | 1 | ||
| 2 | WG | 2 | ||
| 3 | CE | 3 | ||
| 4 | CE | 4 | ||
| 5 | WG | 5 | ||
| 6 | SO/FE | 6 | ||
| 7 | SH/HB | 7 | ||
| 8 | PR | 8 | ||
| 9 | HK | 9 | ||
| 10 | PF | 10 | ||
| 11 | SR | 11 | ||
| 12 | SR | 12 | ||
| 13 | LF/LK | 13 | ||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| CS | ||||
| New Zealand |
50–0 | Samoa |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Isaako (2) 13' c, 24' c Hughes 22' c Asofa-Solomona 44' c Papali'i 48' m Mulitalo (2) 60' m, 73' c Nikora 63' c Fisher-Harris 76' c 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 |
| Australia | Position | New Zealand | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Number | Number | Name | |
| 1 | FB | 1 | ||
| 2 | WG | 2 | ||
| 3 | CE | 3 | ||
| 4 | CE | 4 | ||
| 5 | WG | 5 | ||
| 6 | SO/FE | 6 | ||
| 7 | SH/HB | 7 | ||
| 8 | PR | 8 | ||
| 9 | HK | 9 | ||
| 10 | PF | 10 | ||
| 11 | SR | 11 | ||
| 12 | SR | 12 | ||
| 13 | LF/LK | 13 | ||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| CS | ||||
| Australia | Position | New Zealand | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Number | Number | Name | |
| 1 | FB | 1 | ||
| 2 | WG | 2 | ||
| 3 | CE | 3 | ||
| 4 | CE | 4 | ||
| 5 | WG | 5 | ||
| 6 | SO/FE | 6 | ||
| 7 | SH/HB | 7 | ||
| 8 | PR | 8 | ||
| 9 | HK | 9 | ||
| 10 | PF | 10 | ||
| 11 | SR | 11 | ||
| 12 | SR | 12 | ||
| 13 | LF/LK | 13 | ||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| CS | ||||
Pacific Bowl
Standings
| Pos. | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Papua New Guinea |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 10 | +36 | 2 | Advance to Pacific Bowl Final |
| 2 | Fiji |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 18 | +4 | 2 | |
| 3 | Cook Islands |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 28 | 68 | -40 | 0 |
Fixtures
| 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) |
Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby 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 | |
| 1 | FB | 1 | ||
| 2 | WG | 2 | ||
| 3 | CE | 3 | ||
| 4 | CE | 4 | ||
| 5 | WG | 5 | ||
| 6 | SO/FE | 6 | ||
| 7 | SH/HB | 7 | ||
| 8 | PR | 8 | ||
| 9 | HK | 9 | ||
| 10 | PF | 10 | ||
| 11 | SR | 11 | ||
| 12 | SR | 12 | ||
| 13 | LF/LK | 13 | ||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| CS | ||||
| Fiji |
22–18 | Cook Islands |
|---|---|---|
| 1st: 4–6 2nd: 18–12 Report |
Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby Attendance: ≈7,000[28] Referee: Ashley Klein (Australia) |
| Fiji | Position | Cook Islands | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Number | Number | Name | |
| 1 | FB | 1 | ||
| 2 | WG | 2 | ||
| 3 | CE | 3 | ||
| 4 | CE | 4 | ||
| 5 | WG | 5 | ||
| 6 | SO/FE | 6 | ||
| 7 | SH/HB | 7 | ||
| 8 | PR | 8 | ||
| 9 | HK | 9 | ||
| 10 | PF | 10 | ||
| 11 | SR | 11 | ||
| 12 | SR | 12 | ||
| 13 | LF/LK | 13 | ||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| CS | ||||
| Papua New Guinea | Position | Fiji | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Number | Number | Name | |
| 1 | FB | 1 | ||
| 2 | WG | 2 | ||
| 3 | CE | 3 | ||
| 4 | CE | 4 | ||
| 5 | WG | 5 | ||
| 6 | SO/FE | 6 | ||
| 7 | SH/HB | 7 | ||
| 8 | PR | 8 | ||
| 9 | HK | 9 | ||
| 10 | PF | 10 | ||
| 11 | SR | 11 | ||
| 12 | SR | 12 | ||
| 13 | LF/LK | 13 | ||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| CS | ||||
| Papua New Guinea | Position | Fiji | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Number | Number | Name | |
| 1 | FB | 1 | ||
| 2 | WG | 2 | ||
| 3 | CE | 3 | ||
| 4 | CE | 4 | ||
| 5 | WG | 5 | ||
| 6 | SO/FE | 6 | ||
| 7 | SH/HB | 7 | ||
| 8 | PR | 8 | ||
| 9 | HK | 9 | ||
| 10 | PF | 10 | ||
| 11 | SR | 11 | ||
| 12 | SR | 12 | ||
| 13 | LF/LK | 13 | ||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| CS | ||||
Women's games
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
- Australia, 2 matches
- Cook Islands, 1 match
- Fiji, 1 match
- New Zealand, 3 matches
- Papua New Guinea, 1 match
- Samoa, 1 match
- Tonga, 1 match
Fixtures
| Australia |
16–10 | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Upton (2) 4' c, 31' m Johnston 25' c Goals: Brigginshaw (2/3) 5', 26' |
Report |
Tries: Biddle 12' m Hufanga 43' c 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 | |
| 1 | FB | 1 | ||
| 2 | WG | 2 | ||
| 3 | CE | 3 | ||
| 4 | CE | 4 | ||
| 5 | WG | 5 | ||
| 6 | SO/FE | 6 | ||
| 7 | SH/HB | 7 | ||
| 8 | PR | 8 | ||
| 9 | HK | 9 | ||
| 10 | PF | 10 | ||
| 11 | SR | 11 | ||
| 12 | SR | 12 | ||
| 13 | LF/LK | 13 | ||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| CS | ||||
| Samoa |
26–12 | Fiji |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Tui (2) 10' m, 42' m Mapusua (2) 21' c, 68' c Nu'uausala 31' c Goals: Piliae-Rasabale (3/5) 22', 32', 70' |
Report |
Tries: Naikore 5' m, 54' m Namoce 57' m |
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 | |
| 1 | FB | 1 | ||
| 2 | WG | 2 | ||
| 3 | CE | 3 | ||
| 4 | CE | 4 | ||
| 5 | WG | 5 | ||
| 6 | SO/FE | 6 | ||
| 7 | SH/HB | 7 | ||
| 8 | PR | 8 | ||
| 9 | HK | 9 | ||
| 10 | PF | 10 | ||
| 11 | SR | 11 | ||
| 12 | SR | 12 | ||
| 13 | LF/LK | 13 | ||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| CS | ||||
| New Zealand | Position | Tonga | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Number | Number | Name | |
| 1 | FB | 1 | ||
| 2 | WG | 2 | ||
| 3 | CE | 3 | ||
| 4 | CE | 4 | ||
| 5 | WG | 5 | ||
| 6 | SO/FE | 6 | ||
| 7 | SH/HB | 7 | ||
| 8 | PR | 8 | ||
| 9 | HK | 9 | ||
| 10 | PF | 10 | ||
| 11 | SR | 11 | ||
| 12 | SR | 12 | ||
| 13 | LF/LK | 13 | ||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| CS | ||||
| Papua New Guinea |
28–20 | Cook Islands |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby Attendance: ≈7,000[29] Referee: Belinda Sharpe (Australia) |
| Papua New Guinea | Position | Cook Islands | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Number | Number | Name | |
| 1 | FB | 1 | ||
| 2 | WG | 2 | ||
| 3 | CE | 3 | ||
| 4 | CE | 4 | ||
| 5 | WG | 5 | ||
| 6 | SO/FE | 6 | ||
| 7 | SH/HB | 7 | ||
| 8 | PR | 8 | ||
| 9 | HK | 9 | ||
| 10 | PF | 10 | ||
| 11 | SR | 11 | ||
| 12 | SR | 12 | ||
| 13 | LF/LK | 13 | ||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| CS | ||||
| Australia | Position | New Zealand | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Number | Number | Name | |
| 1 | FB | 1 | ||
| 2 | WG | 2 | ||
| 3 | CE | 3 | ||
| 4 | CE | 4 | ||
| 5 | WG | 5 | ||
| 6 | SO/FE | 6 | ||
| 7 | SH/HB | 7 | ||
| 8 | PR | 8 | ||
| 9 | HK | 9 | ||
| 10 | PF | 10 | ||
| 11 | SR | 11 | ||
| 12 | SR | 12 | ||
| 13 | LF/LK | 13 | ||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| IN | ||||
| CS | ||||
Other matches
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 |
References
- "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.
- https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/international-rugby-league-returns-in-southern-hemisphere-this-autumn-with-full-schedule-locked-in
- 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.
- "Australian men's and women's squads announced for Pacfiic Championships". League Unlimited. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- "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.
- "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.
- "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.
- 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.
- https://www.postcourier.com.pg/holbrook-grima-offered-big-roles/
- 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.
- https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/pacific-championships-2023/game-2/fiji-vs-cook-islands.html
- https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/pacific-championships-2023/game-2/papua-new-guinea--w--vs-cook-islands--w-.html
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