The 2025 Pacific Championships are set to reignite some of the game’s fiercest international rivalries as Samoa return to the men’s Cup draw to tackle the Kiwis and Tonga.
The powerful Samoa outfit is back after missing last year’s Pacific Championships to tour the UK and they will unleash a monster pack that includes Payne Haas, Josh Papalii, Jaydn Su’A and Junior Paulo.
With defending Pacific Cup champions Australia facing England in the Ashes, the stage is set for Samoa, Tonga and New Zealand to stage a battle royale for supremacy.
It all kicks off in Auckland on Sunday with the Kiwis and Samoa doing battle for the first time since 2023, when a 22-point haul from Jamayne Isaako steered New Zealand to a 50-0 victory.
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The women’s Pacific Cup also kicks off on Sunday at Go Media Stadium with the Kiwi Ferns hosting Fetu Samoa, who will be guided around the park by Titans duo Taliah Fuimaono and Pauline Piliae-Rasabale, while Broncos young gun Shalom Sauaso will bring impact off the bench in her Test debut.
Defending champions the Jillaroos begin their campaign against Samoa in the Suncorp Stadium double-header on October 26 before heading across the Tasman to face the Kiwi Ferns in an Eden Park blockbuster on November 2.
