Almanac Rugby League – Pacific Championships Wrap: Aussies rule the Pacific

 

 

 

Australia’s rugby league Jillaroos and Kangaroos restored their place as the top teams in Pacific rugby league with wins in their respective Pacific Championships finals on Sunday. The Jillaroos were dominant in their 24-4 win over the Kiwi Ferns while the Kangaroos had to fight hard to hold off a powerful Tonga XIII.

 

Women’s competition

Fetu Samoa kicked off Sunday’s quadruple-header with a convincing 34-12 win over the PNG Orchids. Too big, too fast, too strong – in many ways it was as simple as that for Samoa. With the sides playing for the final place in the top tier of the 2025 edition of the Championships, a more competitive match was expected but the Orchids simply were not allowed into the game. They will revert to the second tier next year against the likes of Fiji and the Cook Islands. Samoa deservedly move up to take on the Jillaroos and Ferns.

 

The final between Australia and New Zealand promised to be a close and absorbing affair, even if the home side were strong favourites. In the end, the Jillaroos dominated for most of the match, allowing the Ferns just one belated score to avoid a whitewash. It was the only score the Australians conceded in their three matches. The Australians led 12-0 at the break on the back of tries to Robinson, Kelly and Penitani. The Ferns just couldn’t find a way through in spite of some useful field position. The second half opened with the Ferns attacking relentlessly but staunch defence kept the Jillaroos’ line in tact. In fact, you could argue that this is where and when they won the game. After holding the Ferns out, the Australians got down the other end where Upton regathered her own grubber kick and ran away for a try which sapped the morale of the Kiwis. Then, just minutes later, Aiken stepped twice off her right foot to find a way through the defensive line to put the game beyond their opponent’s reach. To their credit the Ferns never gave up but the ferocity of the Australian defence often saw three and four defenders monstering their opponents in tackles. In a strong team effort, the likes of Aiken, Upton, Kelly, Taufa and Boyle led the way. The Ferns were brave but beaten by a much better team. Hufanga stood out for New Zealand with her strong running while Hall and Hale gave everything. Tarryn Aiken was worthy player of the match but Kelly must have been close behind. Having conceded just 4 points over three matches, the Jillaroos were worthy winners on the title and restored their standing as the leading women’s team in world rugby league.

 

Men’s competition

The Kangaroos were ridiculously short-priced favourites to down Tonga in the men’s competition. But it was never going to be that easy and so it transpired. After a titanic battle, the Australians held on to land the title by 20-14 in an absorbing tussle. Tonga got off to a flying start with an early try to Sione Katoa and they appeared to have the Australians well and truly on the back foot with strong play through the middle. But as the Australians found their rhythm and Dearden wove his spell, tries to Tabuai-Fidow, Coates and Trbojevic saw the Kangaroos go to the break up by 14-4. One or two other tries were rubbed out by the bunker. When Trbojevic scored soon after the break it looked as if the Kangaroos would run away with the game. But Tonga has come a long way in recent years and a spirited fightback had the Australians digging deep in defence. Eventually Olakau’atu scored off a deft grubber to get the scoreboard back to 20-10. With further possession and field position, Eliesa Katoa went over and it was 20-14 with five minutes on the clock. But the pressure, a few pushed passes and a fumble or two thwarted the Pacific men and the Kangaroos held on. Dearden was best on ground with contributions in both attack and defence – what a future this bloke has! I was impressed by Collins who has grown into a premier front rower. Lomax and Coates were strong under the high ball and ran the ball out of their own end with energy and determination. Yeo was Yeo – a non-stop contributor on both sides of the ball. Trbojevic improved as the series went along and might have had a hat trick in this game. For Tonga, Hopoate was wonderful again and is a star in the ascendant. Olakau’atu, Taumalolo, Eliesa Katoa and Fonua-Blake ran powerfully to take the game up to the Australians. Isaiya Katoa had his moments, especially early on, and will learn a lot from this tournament. At the moment, the ‘gap’ for Tonga is based around better contributions at 3, 4 and 6. Alamoti and Koula may grow into their roles but they’re a little way off just yet. But 6 is the big issue. For now, Tonga deserve their place in the top tier. We just need Samoa back in this competition to lift it to the next level.

 

In the Championships’ concluding match, the Kiwis took a while to get on top but once they did it was one way traffic as they downed the PNG Kumuls by 54-12, ten tries to two. The Kumuls showed a lot of fight through the middle of the first half to trail by only four but two late first half tries to NZ blew the game apart. The second half was the Shaun Johnson Show as the retiring champion put on a playmaking masterclass that gifted four tries on debut to Casey McLean and a hat trick to Jamayne Isaako. The other outstanding player for the Kiwis was fullback Keano Kini who dazzled with his instinctive creativity with the ball in hand. The Kumuls were best served by forwards Jeremiah Simbiken and the veteran Jack De Belin.

 

Summary

It may have been a short and sharp series but the 2024 edition of the Pacific Championships served up some great footy played in excellent spirit in front of enthusiastic crowds who came in good numbers. Special credit to the fans of Tonga who added so much energy, enthusiasm and spirit as they supported their team with such passion.

 

The Australians deserved their wins through a combination of outstanding defence and a capacity to take their opportunities when they came. Tonga (in the men’s competition) and Samoa (in the women’s competition) demonstrated just how far the code has advanced in the Pacific nations. The return of Samoa to the men’s competition in 2025 will be an even better indication of that tide. (Although it has to be said that Australia is likely to be absent in 2025 as an Ashes series in the UK beckons.) Who knows, the Kumuls may be about to enter the NRL not long after next year’s edition.

 

Newspaper reports on Monday suggested that Sunday’s matches far out-rated cricket’s ODI in Perth! Further proof, if you needed it, that ‘the greatest game of all’ is alive, well and kicking goals in 2024!

 

Enjoy your off season and we’ll see you back at The Footy Almanac in March for season 2025!

 

 

To read our library of rugby league stories click HERE.

To return to our Footy Almanac home page click HERE.

 

Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?

And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help things keep ticking over please consider making your own contribution.

Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE.