Pacific Rugby League International

Pacific Rugby League International
Sport	Rugby league
Number of teams	4
Country	Pacific (Asia-Pacific Confederation)
Winners	Samoa (3rd title)  Papua New Guinea (1st title)
Most titles	Samoa (3 titles)
Broadcast partner	Fox Sports
Related competitions	Melanesian Cup Polynesian Cup Anzac Test

The Pacific Rugby League International is a rugby league test match that has been played between two Pacific Island nations during the National Rugby League's annual representative weekend since 2013. The fixture was held at Penrith Stadium for the 2013 and 2014 test matches. In 2015, two fixtures were held; Samoa and Tonga competed for the Polynesian Cup while Fiji and Papua New Guinea competed for the Melanesian Cup at Cbus Super Stadium.^[1] In 2016 the fixtures returned to New South Wales and were held at Parramatta's Pirtek Stadium.

In August 2015, the NRL announced a new $925 million (Australian) TV deal. As part of the deal it was announced that the Pacific test matches would continue to be televised until at least 2022 and will be played on the Sunday before game 2 of the State of Origin series. The deal begins in 2018.^[2]

Match summaries

Date	Winner	Score	Loser	Venue
20 April 2013	Tonga	36 – 4	Samoa	Penrith Football Stadium
3 May 2014	Samoa	32 – 16	Fiji
2 May 2015	Fiji	22 – 10	Papua New Guinea	Cbus Super Stadium
	Samoa	18 – 16	Tonga
7 May 2016	Papua New Guinea	24 – 22	Fiji	Pirtek Stadium
	Samoa	18 – 6	Tonga

2013 test

2013 (2013) Pacific Rugby League test  ()
Samoa Tonga 4 36
1 2 Total SAM 4 0 4 TON 10 26 36
Date	20 April 2013
Stadium	Centrebet Stadium Penrith
Location	Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
Man of the Match	Samisoni Langi
Referee	Matt Cecchin
Attendance	10,143
Broadcast partner
Broadcaster	Fox Sports Australia
Commentator	Matt Russell Greg Alexander Mark Gasnier

The 2013 Pacific Rugby League test was played between Samoa and Tonga. The fixture was created as a warm-up international for their 2013 Rugby League World Cup campaigns. Tonga won the test match 36–4. Tonga's Samisoni Langi won the man of the match award, after scoring 16 points from two tries and four conversions.

Controversy occurred late in the match as the game had to be called off before Langi had the chance to convert the final try due to fans invading the pitch.^[3]

Both teams selected a number of débutantes, with the most experienced players only appearing between 3-8 times. The most experienced players that played in the test match were Tonga's Richard Fa'aoso and Etu Uaisele who both made 8 appearances for their country before this test match. Samoa's most experienced player was Ben Roberts who made 3 appearances before this test match. All players were NRL based players, except for Tongan winger Etu Uaisele who played for the Wyong Roos in the New South Wales Cup.

South Sydney's Roy Asotasi captained Samoa, and Manly's Brent Kite led Tonga.

Match details

FB 1 Matthew Wright RW 2 Kalifa Faifai Loa RC 3 Antonio Winterstein LC 4 Junior Sa'u LW 5 Daniel Vidot SO 6 Carlos Tuimavave SH 7 Ben Roberts PR 8 Jeff Lima HK 9 Masada Iosefa PR 10 Roy Asotasi (c) SR 11 Eddy Pettybourne SR 12 Sam Tagataese LF 13 Lama Tasi Substitutions: IC 14 Leeson Ah Mau IC 15 Martin Taupau IC 16 Mark Taufua IC 17 Alex Elisala Coach: Steve Price

FB 1 Glen Fisiiahi RW 2 Michael Oldfield RC 3 Mahe Fonua LC 4 Siuatonga Likiliki LW 5 Etu Uaisele SO 6 Samisoni Langi SH 7 Daniel Foster PR 8 Brent Kite (c) HK 9 Pat Politoni PR 10 Sam Moa SR 11 Sika Manu SR 12 Jason Taumalolo LF 13 Anthony Tupou Substitutions: IC 15 Fuifui Moimoi IC 16 Richard Fa'aoso IC 17 Ben Murdoch-Masila IC 18 David Hala (came in as a late replacement for the injured Nafe Seluini) Coach: Charlie Tonga

Aftermath

After the test match, Steve Price resigned from the role of coaching Samoa. Later in the year Aussie Matt Parish took over the role, coaching Samoa at the 2013 World Cup.

At the World Cup, Tonga defeated Italy and the Cook Islands in Group C, but lost to Scotland and failed to qualify for the knockout stages.

Samoa was in Group B and lost to New Zealand before defeating Papua New Guinea and France to qualify for the quarter finals. They lost to Fiji 22–4 in the quarter finals to be eliminated from the tournament.

2014 test

2014 (2014) Pacific Rugby League test  ()
Samoa Fiji 32 16
1 2 Total SAM 12 20 32 FIJ 16 0 16
Date	3 May 2014
Stadium	Sportingbet Stadium Penrith
Location	Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
Man of the Match	Penani Manumalealii
Referee	Ashley Klein
Attendance	9,063
Broadcast partner
Broadcaster	Fox Sports Australia
Commentator	Matt Russell Greg Alexander Mark Gasnier

The 2014 Pacific Rugby League test was played between Samoa and Fiji. The fixture was a qualifier for the 2014 Four Nations.^[4][5][6] Samoa won the test match by 32–16 after being behind 16–12 at half-time. Samoa's Penani Manumalealii won the man of the match award, scoring 3 tries in the match.

Samoa picked 7 debutantes for the test match, while Fiji featured three. All of the Samoan team were National Rugby League based players, while the Fijian side had 10 players from the NRL. Samoa's most capped player was Daniel Vidot who made his 6th appearance for his country, while Fiji's most experienced players were Alipate Noilea, Aaron Groom, and captain Ashton Sims who all made their 10th appearance for their nation.

Newcastle's David Fa'alogo captained Samoa, and North Queensland's Ashton Sims led Fiji.

Match details

FB 1 Peter Mata'utia RW 2 Daniel Vidot RC 3 Ricky Leutele LC 4 Krisnan Inu LW 5 Young Tonumaipea SO 6 Reni Maitua SH 7 Penani Manumalealii PR 17 Suaia Matagi HK 9 Michael Sio PR 10 David Fa'alogo (c) SR 11 Leeson Ah Mau SR 12 Dominique Peyroux LF 13 Isaac Liu Substitutions: IC 15 Dunamis Lui IC 16 Jesse Sene-Lefao IC 8 Sam Tagataese IC 18 Carlos Tuimavave (came in as a late replacement for Junior Paulo) Coach: Matt Parish

FB 1 Kevin Naiqama RW 2 Marika Koroibete RC 3 Semi Radradra LC 4 Lote Tuqiri LW 5 Eto Nabuli SO 6 Alipate Noilea SH 7 Aaron Groom PR 8 Ashton Sims (c) HK 9 James Storer PR 10 Kane Evans SR 11 Vitale Junior Roqica SR 12 Peni Botiki LF 13 Korbin Sims Substitutions: IC 18 Petero Civoniceva (came in as a late replacement for Waqa Blake) IC 15 Reagan Campbell-Gillard IC 16 Osea Sadrau IC 17 Atunaisa Turagaiviu Coach: Rick Stone

Aftermath

After the test match, Petero Civoniceva said that "Test matches between emerging nations is a necessity for the game to grow outside of Australia, New Zealand and England".^[7]

Due to the win, Samoa had qualified for the 2014 Four Nations.^[8] Samoa lost all three matches, losing to England 26–32 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on the tournament's opening day double header, New Zealand 12–14 at Toll Stadium in Whangarei, and then finally to Australia 18–44 at Win Stadium in Wollongong.

On October 19, Fiji defeated Lebanon 40–28 to win the inaugural Hayne/Mannah Cup.

2015 tests

Melanesian Cup

2015 (2015) Melanesian Cup  ()
PNG Fiji 10 22
1 2 Total PNG 0 10 10 FIJ 18 4 22
Date	2 May 2015
Stadium	Cbus Super Stadium
Location	Robina, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Man of the Match	Marika Koroibete
Referee	Matt Cecchin
Broadcast partner
Broadcaster	Fox Sports Australia
Commentator	Joel Caine Braith Anasta Andy Raymond

On 24 December 2014 it was announced that Papua New Guinea would play Fiji and Samoa would play Tonga as part of a 2015 Pacific test double header. The 2015 Melanesian Cup was played between Papua New Guinea and Fiji.

Fiji beat Papua New Guinea to win the inaugural Melanesian Cup title.^[9] Fiji never looked like losing the match after an easy first half performance, leading 18–0 at the break. They went on to win the test match by 22–10. Fiji's Marika Koroibete won the man of the match award, scoring 2 tries in the match. Papua New Guinea's defeat means that they still haven't won a test-match on away soil since the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.

Fiji picked 6 débutantes for the test match, while PNG also featured six players making their first ever International appearance for their country. Both teams had a fair share of NRL, Queensland or New South Wales Cup, as well as domestic club players. Papua New Guinea's most capped players were Nene MacDonald, Ray Thompson, and Tyson Martin who all made their 4th appearance for their country, while Fiji's most experienced player was their captain Jason Bukuya who made his 10th appearance for his country.

PNG Hunters' Israel Eliab captained Papua New Guinea, and Cronulla's Jason Bakuya led Fiji.

Match details

FB 1 Josh Damen RW 2 Nene MacDonald RC 3 Thompson Teteh LC 4 Kato Ottio LW 5 Matt Trnka SO 6 Israel Eliab (c) SH 7 Noel Zeming PR 8 Stanton Albert HK 9 Ray Thompson PR 10 Wellington Albert SR 11 Rhyse Martin SR 12 Tyson Martin LF 13 Luke Page Substitutions: IC 14 Wartovo Puara IC 15 Willie Minoga IC 16 Brandy Peter IC 17 Adam Korave Coach: Mal Meninga

FB 1 Kevin Naiqama RW 2 Marika Koroibete RC 3 Fabian Goodall LC 4 Brayden Wiliame LW 5 Eto Nabuli SO 6 Daryl Millard SH 7 Ryan Millard PR 8 Eloni Vunakece HK 9 Apisai Koroisau PR 16 Tikio Noke SR 11 Jayson Bukuya (c) SR 12 Jacob Saifiti LF 13 Korbin Sims Substitutions: IC 14 Tyrone Phillips IC 15 Viliame Kikau IC 10 Daniel Saifiti IC 17 Osea Sadrau Coach: Rick Stone

Polynesian Cup

2015 (2015) Polynesian Cup  ()
Samoa Tonga 18 16
1 2 Total SAM 10 8 18 TON 4 12 16
Date	2 May 2015
Stadium	Cbus Super Stadium
Location	Robina, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Man of the Match	Sam Kasiano
Referee	Ben Cummins
Attendance	12,336
Broadcast partner
Broadcaster	Fox Sports Australia
Commentator	Andrew Voss Greg Alexander Andy Raymond

On 24 December 2014 it was announced that Papua New Guinea would play Fiji and Samoa would play Tonga as part of a 2015 Pacific test double header. The 2015 Polynesian Cup was played between Samoa and Tonga.

Samoa beat Tonga to win the inaugural Polynesian Cup title.^[10] It was always a tight see-saw affair with no more than a 6-point margin separating the teams throughout the game. In the 77th minute a try-saving tackle was made on Tonga's Jorge Tafua. Tafua attempted to dive into the corner, after being pressured to move there, to score his hat-trick only to be knocked into touch with a colossal hit by big Samoan forward Sam Kasiano. This incident therefore prevented losing Samoa the lead with just minutes to play. The Samoans won the game, 18–16.

Samoa picked two débutantes for the test match, while Tonga featured four. Both teams' players were National Rugby League-based players except for Samoa's Michael Sio, who plays for Queensland Cup team Mackay Cutters. Samoa's most capped player was Daniel Vidot who made his 10th appearance for his country, while Tonga's most experienced player was Richard Fa'aoso who also made his 10th appearance for his country.

Canterbury's Frank Pritchard captained Samoa, and Penrith's Sika Manu led Tonga.

Match details

FB 1 Tautau Moga RW 2 Pat Mata'utia RC 3 Joseph Leilua LC 4 Ricky Leutele LW 5 Daniel Vidot SO 6 Carlos Tuimavave SH 7 Tim Simona PR 8 Sam Kasiano HK 9 Josh McGuire PR 10 Sauaso Sue SR 11 Leeson Ah Mau SR 12 Frank Pritchard (c) LF 13 Isaac Liu Substitutions: IC 15 Dunamis Lui IC 16 Sam Lisone IC 17 Dominique Peyroux IC 18 Michael Sio (came in as a late replacement for John Asiata) Coach: Matt Parish

FB 1 Tuimoala Lolohea RW 2 Jorge Taufua RC 3 Konrad Hurrell LC 5 Mahe Fonua LW 14 Sosaia Feki SO 6 Samisoni Langi SH 4 Solomone Kata PR 8 Richard Fa'aoso HK 9 Pat Politoni PR 10 Peni Terepo SR 11 Sika Manu (c) SR 12 Manu Ma'u LF 13 Siosiua Taukeiaho Substitutions: IC 7 Joel Luani IC 15 Ben Murdoch-Masila IC 16 Felise Kaufusi IC 17 Albert Vete Coach: Kristian Woolf

Aftermath

On October 17, Tonga had a one-off battle with the Cook Islands in the Asia-Pacific qualifying playoff for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. The Tongans only led by 4 at the break before running away in the second half scoring 3 tries in the last 20 minutes of the game.

Before the game Tongan coach, Kristian Woolf, mentioned how players being eligible for second-tier nations such as Tonga and Samoa are being unfairly punished if they pursue an opportunity with an Australian or New Zealand Test or Origin squad. He made this recent complaint after Tongan internationals Sio Siua Taukeiaho and Tuimoala Lolohea went off to play for the Kiwis in their end-of-year test series against England. This now means that Tonga can't pick these two players until a 2-year period has passed. Woolf said "Some flexibility in those rules would certainly help in terms of helping your tier two nations becoming more competitive with your first-tier nations."^[11]

Dylan Napa, a 2013 World Cup Cook Island international, was also called up by the country's coach Alex Chan but was permitted to play after he pledged his allegiance to play for Queensland in the State of Origin Series.^[12]

2016 tests

Another Pacific Island nation that does not compete in these matches, Cook Islands, organised a test match with Lebanon at Belmore Sports Ground on May 8.^[13]

Melanesian Cup

2016 (2016) Melanesian Cup  ()
PNG Fiji 24 22
1 2 Total PNG 8 16 24 FIJ 16 6 22
Date	7 May 2016
Stadium	Pirtek Stadium
Location	Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia
Man of the Match	David Mead
Referee	Robert Hicks
Broadcast partner
Broadcaster	Fox Sports Australia
Commentator	Matt Russell Braith Anasta Andy Raymond

The 2016 Melanesian Cup was played between Papua New Guinea and Fiji.

Papua New Guinea created history to win their first Melanesian Cup title.^[14] The test looked in a similar situation to last year when Fiji took a comfortable lead into the break but this time around Papua New Guinea scored enough points in the second half to outscore their pacific rivals and win their first major title since the 2009 Pacific Cup. Captain David Mead shone for the Kumuls as he made try-saving tackles, assists and even line breaks in a man-of-the-match performance which was a crucial influence to earning his country's first win on away soil since the year 2000.

Fiji picked 7 débutantes for the test match, while PNG featured five players making their first ever International appearance for their country. Both teams had a fair share of NRL, Queensland or New South Wales Cup, as well as domestic club players. Papua New Guinea's most capped player was Rod Griffin who made his 10th appearance for his country, while Fiji's most experienced player was Akuila Uate who made his 12th appearance for his country.

Gold Coast's David Mead captained Papua New Guinea, and Port Kembla Blacks' James Storer led Fiji.

Match details

FB 1 David Mead (c) RW 2 Justin Olam RC 3 Kato Ottio LC 4 Nene McDonald LW 5 Stargroth Amean SO 6 Ase Boas SH 7 Watson Boas PR 8 Luke Page HK 9 Wartovo Puara PR 10 Henry Wan SR 11 Rhyse Martin SR 12 Rod Griffin LF 13 Adam Korave Substitutions: IC 14 Adex Wera IC 15 Brandy Peter IC 16 Willie Minoga IC 17 Kurt Baptiste Coach: Michael Marum

FB 1 Tyrone Phillips RW 2 Akuila Uate RC 3 Sisa Waqa LC 4 Brayden Wiliame LW 5 Etuate Qionimacawa SO 6 Sitiveni Moceidreke SH 7 Maurice Kennedy PR 8 Kane Evans HK 9 James Storer (c) PR 10 Daniel Saifiti SR 11 Junior Roqica SR 12 Fabian Goodall LF 13 Eloni Vunakece Substitutions: IC 14 Ben Nakubuwai IC 15 Tui Kamikamica IC 16 Tevita Cottrell IC 17 Jokatama Dokonivalu Coach: Mick Potter

Polynesian Cup

2016 (2016) Polynesian Cup  ()
Samoa Tonga 18 6
1 2 Total SAM 8 10 18 TON 6 0 6
Date	7 May 2016
Stadium	Pirtek Stadium
Location	Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia
Man of the Match	Fa'amanu Brown
Referee	Ben Cummins
Attendance	15,225
Broadcast partner
Broadcaster	Fox Sports Australia
Commentator	Andrew Voss Jimmy Smith Andy Raymond

The 2016 Polynesian Cup was played between Samoa and Tonga.

Samoa defeated Tonga to win their second consecutive Polynesian Cup title.^[15] The strong crowd would always show their passion and loud screaming support throughout the game after big hits, strong runs and intense moments were key talking points. However a total of 29 errors and a completion rate of just over 50% from both countries was a headache for everyone to watch. Despite Tonga having 55% possession and more territory, they didn't score and the Samoans made them pay by taking their few second-half opportunities that were given to them resulting in another Samoan victory over their old 'War rivals'.

Samoa picked 7 débutantes for the test match, while Tonga featured three. Both teams' players varied from National Rugby League players to Queensland or New South Wales Cup to Holden Cup and to the English Super League. Samoa's most capped player was Leeson Ah Mau who made his 10th appearance for his country, while Tonga's most experienced player was Feleti Mateo who made his 13th appearance for his country.

English Super League club Hull F.C. gave permission for two players to leave England and play in the Polynesian Cup test; coincidentally they were captain of both nations. Frank Pritchard captained Samoa, and Sika Manu led Tonga.^[16]

Match details

FB 1 Tim Simona RW 2 Antonio Winterstein RC 4 Ricky Leutele LC 3 Kirisome Auva'a LW 5 Matthew Wright SO 6 Fa'amanu Brown SH 7 Pita Godinet PR 8 Sam Kasiano HK 9 Kaysa Pritchard PR 10 Junior Paulo SR 11 Leeson Ah Mau SR 12 Frank Pritchard (c) LF 13 Sauaso Sue Substitutions: IC 14 Erin Clark IC 15 John Asiata IC 16 Raymond Faitala-Mariner IC 17 Sam Tagataese Coach: Matt Parish

FB 1 David Fusitua RW 2 Mosese Pangai RC 3 Solomone Kata LC 4 Vai Toutai LW 5 Michael Oldfield SO 6 Feleti Mateo SH 7 Samisoni Langi PR 8 Peni Terepo HK 9 Sione Katoa PR 10 Felise Kaufusi SR 11 Sika Manu (c) SR 12 Tony Williams LF 13 Joe Ofahengaue Substitutions: IC 14 Nafe Seluini IC 15 David Fifita IC 16 Siosaia Vave IC 17 Patrick Kaufusi Coach: Kristian Woolf

Aftermath

A couple of hours before the Pacific test-matches began, discussions were made and confirmed between the RLIF Deputy Chairman, John Grant, alongside Rugby League Samoa Chairman/Asia-Pacific Rugby League Confederation Chairman, Tagaloa Faafouina Su'a, and the Fiji Rugby League Chairman, Filimoni Vosarogo, that Samoa's city of Apia will host a test-match between Samoa and Fiji on October 8, 2016. This test-match will mark 30 years of Rugby league in Samoa.^[17][18]

Fiji won the match after trailing 18–0 at the 20 minute mark. Samoa were dominating proceedings in the opening quarter as they controlled most of the possession and territory but Fiji hit back in the back-end of the game with Samoa's errors ruining the home team's chances.

See also

• Pacific Cup

References