Almanac Rugby League – The First Test of the Ashes and the Pacific Championships Week 2

 

 

 

There may have been a break between the end of the 2025 NRL season and the start of the international season but there was certainly no break in the pace or quality of the footy on offer for those of us who just can’t get enough rugby league! Week 1 of the Pacific Championships didn’t disappoint, especially in the tightly contested New Zealand v Samoa matches.

 

The Pacific Championships Week 1

Not all went as expected in the women’s division of the competition. Cook Islands Moana completely upstaged their PNG Orchids counterparts with a 34-6 demolition. The Moana put on a display that encompassed speed, skill and energy that simply blew their opponents away. The standout player was Moana halfback Chantay Kiria-Ratu who dominated and dictated play while winger Paulina Morris-Ponga had a day out with three tries. The Orchids battled hard but just could not find a rhythm or effective teamwork to seriously challenge the Moana.

 

The Kiwi Ferns v Fetu Samoa match was the epitome of a game played in two halves. In the first stanza, the ladies in blue could do no wrong and took a seemingly unassailable 20-0 lead into the break. But three tries in six minutes early in the second half had the Ferns within a converted try with 20 minutes to play. And it was the rampaging Mele Hufanga who stole the show again with a runaway try to edge the Ferns in front. Fetu Samoa will regard this as one that got away, a result that may, in the end, cost them a place in the series final.

 

In the men’s division, Jahream Bula got the Bati off to a flyer with a hat-trick in the first 12 minutes of the game. Once Navale’s try took the lead out to 24-0, it was always going to be a gap too wide for the Aitu to bridge. In fact, from that point on, the Aitu outscored the Bati 24-20 but the Fijian drua had long sailed. The win was long overdue for Fiji as they have all too often fallen short of expectations. Perhaps they now have the self-belief to maintain the momentum.

 

The Kiwis v Toa Samoa game was the match of the weekend! Just when you thought it was going to be a Kiwi win, the men in blue fought back and had their chances to snatch it late but poor hands let them down. Big games like these are won and lost in just one or two plays. Having clawed back to 18-18 with 10 to go, the Samoans blew a certain try after Mariner dropped a pass with the line wide open. The Kiwis went to the other end immediately where Brown scored under the crossbar to ensure a 12-point turnaround. Samoa had one more chance but this time it was To’o who spilled the pill, albeit after a difficult pass. The Kiwis held on. Again, an opportunity lost for Samoa who will now battle to make the final.

 

The Championships Week 2

Women’s Division:

This weekend’s matches commence with the Moana looking to back up their big win with another victory over the Tonga XIII. The Tongan line-up features several NRLW players and should provide good competition for the confident Cook Islanders. It’s a bit of a challenge to tip this one but I’ll go with the Moana on the basis of them having already had a game, and an impressive one at that.

 

Sunday sees the champion Jillaroos up against Fetu Samoa who will be out to show that they belong in this company. The Jillaroos ooze class from 1-17 and it’s hard to see the ladies in blue getting too close. But don’t expect it to be a picnic for the Australians who will encounter a very physical opposition who are not without skills to back-up their determination. I’ll go with the Jillaroos.

 

Men’s Division:

The PNG Kumuls take on the Cook Islands Aitu in Saturday’s clash in Port Moresby. This is a big game for the Kumuls who will want to show that PNG’s entry into the NRL in 2028 is built on a strong local base. For the Aitu, it will be a case of trying to build on their improved second half from last weekend. Not an easy one to tip either – the Kumuls have home ground advantage while the Aitu have a game under their belt to build upon. I’ll go for the upset with the Aitu to prevail.

 

Pacific bragging rights are on the line on Sunday when the long-awaited clash between the Tonga XIII and Toa Samoa kicks off in Brisbane. Take a look at the respective teams – both outfits are big, fast and skilful with oodles of experience everywhere. The clash of the 7s, Katoa and Luai, pits the up-and-comer against the old stager – and that’s just one of several one-on-one match-ups: ADF v Papa, Otoikamanu v Haas (Grand Final revisited), Taumalolo v Paulo, and on and on. The makings of a classic! Golden point, anyone? I’ll go with Toa Samoa – just!

 

To see the full team lists for Week 2 click here. All matches will be covered by Channel 9, check local guides for times.

 

The First Ashes Test

It’s been a long time coming…more than 20 years, actually. But at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night, Ashes rugby league returns when the Kangaroos do battle with England in the first of the 2025 three-Test series. Mindless, space filling articles this week have focussed on past glories, talk of ambushes and the perennial pinãta of preening referees. For goodness sake! Let’s just relish the opportunity to see top flight international rugby league in the form of one of the oldest rivalries going around.

 

Although there are multiple players unavailable for Australia due to injuries, their line-up still looks very strong across the paddock. Four debutants, four members of the Broncos’ premiership team, a mix of old stagers, brilliance and recycled parts – it’s a combination that could produce anything. Perhaps the luckiest player of all is The Fox who wasn’t even in the original touring party!

 

Fresh off the Super League season, the Chooms will be ready to go with nothing to lose.

 

To see the respective team lists click here.

 

Expect it to be fast and furious, with not a little niggle thrown in. History says it will be toe-to-toe for 60 minutes before the Australians impose themselves. That’s what I expect.

 

Check local tv guides for match times. We’ll have full coverage of all of these matches next week.

 

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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.

 

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