Almanac (International) Rugby League: The Pacific Championships, Week 2

 

 

 

If the Week 1 matches in the 2024 Pacific Championships were an indication of what’s still to come over the next few weeks, then we’re in for a very enjoyable series indeed. Captivatingly competitive (with one exception), ferociously physical and engagingly entertaining – the games had it all! And what price the intercept as a game-shaper? Just ask Viliame Kikau!

 

Week 1

The series opener between the Jillaroos and the PNG Orchids provided the exception to the run of play over the four games contested in Week 1. To be polite, it was a demolition as the Jillaroos ran riot in piling one 84 unanswered points at better than a point a minute. Only a modest goal-kicking performance by stand-in kicker Tarryn Aiken stopped the scoreline from threatening the three figure mark. (To be fair, many of the tries were scored out wide.) Julia Robinson (6) and Jakiya Whitfield (5) scored the bulk of the tries in a disappointingly one-sided affair. Let’s just leave it at that!

 

There was great anticipation ahead of the Kangaroos v Tonga men’s game with the hosts fielding a new look side while the men from the Pacific boasted a fearsome-looking forward pack. The final 18-0 scoreline flattered the Australians who were ‘rusty’ (to say the least) and had to dig deep in defence to withstand the full-on barrage of the Tongan pack, especially in the first half. To be fair, it was a credit to the Kangaroos’ defence that they were able to keep a clean sheet. Only a Tom Trbojevic intercept against the run of play allowed the Australians to hold a 6-0 lead at the break. Scoring opportunities were rare but, when it came, the Kangaroos took their chance through via Hamiso Tabui-Fidow who showed both strength and speed to break the defence out wide. Zac Lomax added the extras and it was 12-0. A further penalty to Lomax extended the lead beyond two converted tries. By contrast, when Tonga’s opportunity came through a well-weighted grubber from Tai Lolohea, Keaon Kolomatangi was unable to control the grounding and the opportunity to get back into the game went begging.

 

In a pretty even team effort,  thought that the Kangaroos were best served by Tom Dearden, Harry Grant and Tabui-Fidow. Yes, they were a bit clunky (but some hadn’t played for well over a month, let alone did the team have time to develop combinations); yes, they made far too many errors (20 in all); but yes, they also showed considerable character to initially hold and then get on top of their very talented opponents; and a number of individuals, eg Turbo, Murray and Coates, did very well on their return to the top level. For Tonga, I thought Lehi Hopoate was outstanding (even if he spent ten in the bin), Jason Taumalolo rolled back the years, Haumole Olakau’atu was consistently dangerous, and Eliesa Katoa was his usual busy self. Apart from a few kicking woes, halfback Isaiya Katoa was also impressive and will be better for the experience.

 

On Saturday, Fetu Samoa had a good win against Tonga in the women’s competition after an intense, very physical struggle. I’ve only seen the highlights of this game and so can’t offer too much more by way of comment. Here is a link to a match report that appeared on nrl.com – https://www.nrl.com/news/2024/10/19/samoa-down-tonga-to-keep-world-cup-dream-alive/

 

In the final game of the weekend, the PNG Kumuls upset the more favoured Fiji Bati by 22-10. The Bati were playing in front of their home crowd for the first time in 24 years but they couldn’t match the intensity and power of their opponents who opened upon a 16-0 lead by the break. Two intercept tries helped the Kumuls no end! A couple opportunities went begging on a night where nothing really clicked for the home side. But take nothing away from the Kumuls – they were ‘on’ from the kick-off and never really looked threatened. Read a full match report here.

 

Week 2

Fiji is at home again this weekend when Week 2 fixtures unfold. In the women’s competition, the Fiji Bulikula host the Cook Islands Moana before the Bati take on the Cook Islands Aitu. The Bati in particular will be looking to redeem themselves to stay in contention for promotion to the top tier of the 2025 Championships while the Aitu hope for a positive start to the tournament.

 

Most attention this weekend will focus on Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch on Sunday afternoon for the Kiwi Ferns v Jillaroos and Kiwis v Kangaroos clashes. Both Australian sides will be looking to avenge their losses last year while the Kiwis will be out to show that those results were not one-off occasions. I think both matches are wide open.

 

In the women’s match I favour the Jillaroos narrowly. You can be sure that the Ferns will look to use their forwards while the Jillaroos will look to run around their opponents. Aiken and Brigginshaw are the keys to the game. Control them and the Ferns are more than halfway towards a win; give them a bit of time and space and you’ll be chasing all afternoon. Imagine having such depth that a player of the quality of Jessica Sergis is not in your top 17! (But then the the Dally M medallist isn’t even in the extended squad!) The Jillaroos by 8+.

 

In the men’s game, the Kangaroos have the bookies’ eye but I think it’s line ball. Will the Kangaroos recover from their bruises in time to be ready for the NZ onslaught in Christchurch? Forget about the 2023 result because both teams have a very different look this time around. The Kangaroos are unchanged from last week and should be better for both the run and the chance to build their combinations. The Kiwis will be fresh and rearing to go, especially their pack which reeks of menace. (Thank goodness Big Nelson isn’t there to make it even more so.) And the veteran SJ has answered the call to come out of retirement for one last fling. As is so often the case, he’s probably the key to the game. Contain him and the Kiwis will struggle. Let’s hope this game turns out to be the entertainer that is potentially there in the make-up of the two teams. Australia by <6.

 

 

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