2023 (2023) Rugby League Pacific Championships  ()
Number of teams6 (men)
7 (women)
Host countries Australia
 New Zealand
 Papua New Guinea
Winner New Zealand (Cup)
 Papua New Guinea (Bowl)
 < 2020
2024 > 

The 2023 Rugby League Pacific Championships was the second edition of the Rugby League Pacific Championship and the first under its current name (having previously been called the Oceania Cup in 2019). The championship included a collection of international rugby league tournaments to be played from October to November 2023 between nations located in the Pacific region.

The competition was played in three groupings: the Pacific Cup for higher ranking men's teams, the Pacific Bowl for lower ranking men's teams, and a section of women's matches played throughout.[1][2][3][4][5]

Teams

Squads

Men's teams

Competition Team World
ranking		 Coach Captain Ref
Pacific Cup Australia1Australia Mal MeningaJames Tedesco[6][7][8]
 New Zealand2Australia Michael MaguireJames Fisher-Harris[9][10]
 Samoa3Australia Ben GardinerJunior Paulo[11][12]
Pacific Bowl Cook Islands13Australia Karmichael HuntBrad Takairangi[13]
 Fiji7Fiji Wise KativerataTui Kamikamica[14][15][16]
 Papua New Guinea6Australia Justin HolbrookKyle Laybutt[17][18]

Women's teams

Competition Team World
ranking		 Coach Captain Ref
Women Australia1Australia Brad DonaldKezie Apps and Ali Brigginshaw[19][8]
 Cook Islands6
 Fiji19Fiji Josaia DakuitogaJosephine Maejiirs[20][16]
 New Zealand2New Zealand Ricky HenryGeorgia Hale and Raecene McGregor[9][21]
 Papua New Guinea5Australia Ben JeffriesElsie Albert[22][23]
 Samoa20Australia Jamie SowardNiall Williams Guthrie[11][24]
 Tonga16New Zealand Kelvin WrightTiana Penitani[25]

Venues

🌍
Host venues

Five venues across three countries were selected to host the Championships.

Officiating

Referees and side-line officials for week one matches were announced on 10 October 2023.[26] Appointments for week two were announced on 17 October 2023, with several changes of role.[27]

Pacific Cup

Standings

Pos. Team Pld. W D L PF PA Diff. Pts. Qualification
1  Australia 2 2 0 0 74 30 +44 4 Advance to Pacific Cup Final
2  New Zealand 2 1 0 1 68 36 +32 2
3  Samoa 2 0 0 2 12 88 –76 0

NB:  Tonga were intended to participate but had already arranged a tour of England before the tournament was announced.

Fixtures

14 October 2023
19:10 AEST (UTC+10:00)
Australia  38–12  Samoa
Tries: Haas 4'
Tedesco 9'
Fa'asuamaleaui 12'
Murray 15'
Tabuai-Fidow (2) 39', 54'
Staggs 79' c
Goals: Staggs (5/7) 5', 13', 17', 40', 80'
 1st: 28–6
2nd: 10–6
Report
 Tries: Taulagi 18'
Leilua 72'
Goals: Crichton (2/2) 20', 74'
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Attendance: 18,144
Referee: Grant Atkins (Australia)
Video Referee: Ashley Klein (Australia)
Touch judges: Phil Henderson (Australia), Wyatt Raymond (Australia)
Team details
AustraliaPositionSamoa
NameNumberNumberName
James Tedesco1FB1Sualauvi Faalogo
Dylan Edwards2WG2Murray Taulagi
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow3CE3Izack Tago
Kotoni Staggs4CE4Young Tonumaipea
Selwyn Cobbo5WG5Brian To'o
Cameron Munster6SO/FE6Stephen Crichton
Daly Cherry-Evans7SH/HB7Daejarn Asi
Payne Haas8PR8Stefano Utoikamanu
Ben Hunt9HK19Justin Matamua
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui10PF10Junior Paulo
Cameron Murray11SR11Luciano Leilua
Liam Martin12SR12Connelly Lemuelu
Isaah Yeo13LF/LK13Keenan Palasia
Harry Grant14IN9Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Lindsay Collins15IN14Spencer Leniu
Patrick Carrigan16IN15Terrell May
Reuben Cotter17IN16Heilum Luki
Nicho Hynes18CS18Royce Hunt
Mal MeningaCoachBen Gardiner
21 October 2023
18:00 NZDT (UTC+13:00)
New Zealand  50–0  Samoa
Tries: Isaako (2) 13', 24'
Hughes 22'
Asofa-Solomona 44'
Papali'i 48'
Mulitalo (2) 60', 73'
Nikora 63' c
Fisher-Harris 76'
Goals: Isaako (7/9) 14', 23', 26', 45', 65', 75', 78'
 1st: 18–0
2nd: 32–0
Report
Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 23,269
Referee: Gerard Sutton (Australia)
Touch judges: Dave Munro (Australia), Chris Sutton (Australia)
Team details
New ZealandPositionSamoa
NameNumberNumberName
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad1FB1Sualauvi Faalogo
Ronaldo Mulitalo2WG2Murray Taulagi
Matthew Timoko3CE4Marion Seve
Joseph Manu4CE21Tommy Talau
Jamayne Isaako5WG20Greg Marzhew
Dylan Brown6SO/FE6Stephen Crichton
Jahrome Hughes7SH/HB7Daejarn Asi
James Fisher-Harris8PR8Stefano Utoikamanu
Kieran Foran14HK9Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Moses Leota10PF10Junior Paulo
Isaiah Papali'i11SR11Luciano Leilua
Briton Nikora12SR16Heilum Luki
Joseph Tapine13LF/LK14Spencer Leniu
Fa'amanu Brown9IN13Keenan Palasia
Nelson Asofa-Solomona15IN15Terrell May
Griffin Neame16IN18Royce Hunt
Leo Thompson17IN19Ronald Volkman
Naufahu Whyte18CS17Justin Matamua
Michael MaguireCoachBen Gardiner
28 October 2023
20:10 AEDT (UTC+11:00)
Australia  36–18  New Zealand
Tries: Holmes 8'
Collins (2) 21', 30'
Edwards 50'
Hunt 77'
Murray 79'
Goals: Holmes (6/7) 9', 22', 31', 51', 65', 78'
 1st: 18–12
2nd: 18–6
Report
 Tries: Nikora 17'
Mulitalo 38'
Brown 69'
Goals: Isaako (3/3) 19', 39', 71'
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Attendance: 20,584
Referee: Adam Gee (Australia)
Touch judges: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski (Australia), Drew Oultram (Australia)
Team details
AustraliaPositionNew Zealand
NameNumberNumberName
James Tedesco1FB1
Dylan Edwards2WG2
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow3CE3
Kotoni Staggs4CE4
Valentine Holmes5WG5
Cameron Munster6SO/FE6
Daly Cherry-Evans7SH/HB7
Jake Trbojevic8PR8
Ben Hunt9HK9
Thomas Flegler10PF10
Cameron Murray11SR11
Reuben Cotter12SR12
Isaah Yeo13LF/LK13
Harry Grant14IN
Lindsay Collins15IN
Patrick Carrigan16IN
Nicho Hynes17IN
Liam Martin18CS
Mal MeningaCoachMichael Maguire
Final
4 November 2023
17:00 NZDT (UTC+13:00)
Australia  0–30  New Zealand
1st: 0–12
2nd: 0–18
Report
 Tries: Mulitalo 14'
Isaako (2) 34', 47'
Timoko 59'
Neame 70'
Goals: Isaako (4/5) 16', 35', 61', 72'
Field goals: Isaako (1/1) 67'
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Attendance: 13,269[28]
Referee: Adam Gee (Australia)
Touch judges: Dave Munro (Australia), Chris Sutton (Australia)
Team details
AustraliaPositionNew Zealand
NameNumberNumberName
1FB1
2WG2
3CE3
4CE4
5WG5
6SO/FE6
7SH/HB7
8PR8
9HK9
10PF10
11SR11
12SR12
13LF/LK13
IN
IN
IN
IN
CS

Pacific Bowl

Standings

Pos. Team Pld. W D L PF PA Diff. Pts. Qualification
1  Fiji 2 2 0 0 65 34 +31 4 Advance to Pacific Bowl Final
2  Papua New Guinea 2 1 0 1 62 53 +9 2
3  Cook Islands 2 0 0 2 28 68 –40 0

Fixtures

15 October 2023
15:00 PNGST (UTC+10:00)
Papua New Guinea  46–10  Cook Islands
Tries: Z. Laybutt 7', 39'
Derby 12'
Kapinias 15'
Richard 22'
Macdonald 26', 41', 42', 76'
Goals: Z. Laybutt (5/9) 14', 16', 23', 41', 44'
 1st: 30–0
2nd: 16–10
Report
 Tries: E. Ioka 48'
S. Marsters 58'
Goals: E. Ioka (1/1) 60'
Takairangi (0/1)
National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Attendance: 7,133[29]
Referee: Peter Gough (Australia)
Video Referee: Chris Butler (Australia)
Touch judges: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski (Australia), Drew Oultram (Australia)
Team details
Papua New GuineaPositionCook Islands
NameNumberNumberName
1FB1
2WG2
3CE3
4CE4
5WG5
6SO/FE6
7SH/HB7
8PR8
9HK9
10PF10
11SR11
12SR12
13LF/LK13
IN
IN
IN
IN
CS
22 October 2023
15:00 PNGST (UTC+10:00)
Fiji  22–18  Cook Islands
Tries: Sivo 24'
Bula 55'
Blake 67'
Turuva 74'
Goals: Wakeham (3/4) 56', 68', 75'
 1st: 4–6
2nd: 18–12
Report
 Tries: E. Marsters 18'
E. Ioka 46'
Cooper-Tetevano 71'
Goals: S. Marsters (3/3) 19', 47', 72'
National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Attendance: 7,001[30]
Referee: Ashley Klein (Australia)
Touch judges: Liam Kennedy (Australia), Todd Smith (Australia)
Team details
FijiPositionCook Islands
NameNumberNumberName
Jahream Bula1FB1Esom Ioka
Maika Sivo2WG2Malachi Morgan
Sunia Turuva3CE3Kayal Iro
Waqa Blake4CE4Alvin Maungaati
Mikaele Ravalawa5WG5Steven Marsters
Kurt Donoghoe6SO/FE6Brad Takairangi
Brandon Wakeham7SH/HB7Esan Marsters
Tui Kamikamica8PR8Davvy Moale
Noah Nailagoliva14HK9Rua Ngatikaura
Gordon Whippy16PF17Takai Mokohar
Kitione Kautoga11SR11Zane Tetevano
Taane Milne13SR12Reuben Porter
Caleb Navale15LF/LK13Pride Petterson-Robati
Penioni Tagituimua9IN10William Samuel
Apisalome Saukuru12IN14Kadiyae Ioka
Watisoni Waqanisaravi17IN15Rhys Dakin
Sirilo Lovokuro20IN16Justin Estall-Makirere
Pio Seci21CS
29 October 2023
15:00 PNGST (UTC+10:00)
Papua New Guinea  16–43  Fiji
Tries: Johnston 2'
Kot 61'
Kapinias 72'
Goals: Martin (2/3) 62', 73'
 1st: 4–19
2nd: 12–24
Report
 Tries: Donoghoe (2) 12', 32'
Kamikamica 17'
Sivo (2) 46', 48'
Navale 55'
Qareqare 65'
Goals: Wakeham (7/8) 13', 18', 33', 48', 57', 66', 69'
Field goals: Wakeham (1/1) 39'
National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Attendance: 14,546
Referee: Ashley Klein (Australia)
Touch judges: Peter Gough (Australia), Phil Henderson (Australia)
Team details
Papua New GuineaPositionFiji
NameNumberNumberName
Alex Johnston1FB1Jahream Bula
Robert Derby2WG2Maika Sivo
Zac Laybutt3CE4Waqa Blake
Benji Kot4CE5Mikaele Ravalawa
Nene Macdonald5WG18Jason Qareqare
Kyle Laybutt6SO/FE6Kurt Donoghoe
Lachlan Lam7SH/HB7Brandon Wakeham
Epel Kapinias8PR8Tui Kamikamica
Edwin Ipape9HK9Penioni Tagituimua
Valentine Richard10PF10King Vuniyayawa
Rhyse Martin11SR12Apisalome Saukuru
Daniel Russell12SR13Taane Milne
Jack de Belin13LF/LK15Caleb Navale
Judah Rimbu14IN14Noah Nailagoliva
Wellington Albert15IN16Gordon Whippy
Keven Appo16IN19Mesake Ravonu
Jacob Alick17IN20Sirilo Lovokuro
Liam Horne18CS21Pio Seci
Justin HolbrookCoachWaisake Kativerata
Final
5 November 2023
15:00 PNGST (UTC+10:00)
 Fiji 12–32 Papua New Guinea 
Tries: Blake (2) 42', 68'
Goals: Wakeham (2/2) 42', 69'
 1st: 26–0
2nd: 6–12
Report
 Tries: Ipape 15'
Derby (2) 23', 28'
Johnston 38'
Kapinias 75'
Goals: Martin (5/5) 16', 25', 29', 39', 77'
National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Attendance: 14,809
Referee: Grant Atkins (Australia)
Touch judges: Liam Kennedy (Australia), Todd Smith (Australia)
Team details
Papua New GuineaPositionFiji
NameNumberNumberName
Alex Johnston1FB1Jahream Bula
Robert Derby2WG2Maika Sivo
Zac Laybutt3CE4Waqa Blake
Rodrick Tai4CE5Mikaele Ravalawa
Nene Macdonald5WG18Jason Qareqare
Kyle Laybutt6SO/FE6Kurt Donoghoe
Lachlan Lam7SH/HB7Brandon Wakeham
Epel Kapinias8PR8Tui Kamikamica
Edwin Ipape9HK9Penioni Tagituimua
Valentine Richard10PF10King Vuniyayawa
Rhyse Martin11SR12Apisalome Saukuru
Daniel Russell12SR13Taane Milne
Jack de Belin13LF/LK15Caleb Navale
Judah Rimbu14IN11Kitione Kautoga
Liam Horne15IN16Gordon Whippy
Junior Rop16IN17Watisoni Waqanisaravi
Nixon Putt17IN21Pio Seci
Jacob Alick18CS20Sirilo Lovokuro
Justin HolbrookCoachWaisake Kativerata

Women's games

A series of matches involving seven Women's teams was announced, however the number of matches to be played is irregular and there will be no semi-finals or final.

Teams

Fixtures

14 October 2023
17:00 AEST (UTC+10:00)
Australia  16–10  New Zealand
Tries: Upton (2) 4', 31'
Johnston 25'
Goals: Brigginshaw (2/3) 5', 26'
 Report
 Tries: Biddle 12'
Hufanga 43'
Goals: McGregor (1/2) 44'
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Attendance: 12,067
Referee: Todd Smith (Australia)
Video Referee: Ashley Klein (Australia)
Touch judges: Belinda Sharpe (Australia), Darian Furner (Australia)
Team details
AustraliaPositionNew Zealand
NameNumberNumberName
1FB1
2WG2
3CE3
4CE4
5WG5
6SO/FE6
7SH/HB7
8PR8
9HK9
10PF10
11SR11
12SR12
13LF/LK13
IN
IN
IN
IN
CS
15 October 2023
12:45 AEST (UTC+10:00)
Samoa  26–12  Fiji
Tries: Tui (2) 10', 42'
Mapusua (2) 21', 68'
Nu'uausala 31'
Goals: Piliae-Rasabale (3/5) 22', 32', 70'
 Report
 Tries: Naikore 5', 54'
Namoce 57'
Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Referee: Liam Kennedy (Australia)
Video Referee: Chris Butler (Australia)
Touch judges: David Munro (Australia), Chris Sutton (Australia)
Team details
SamoaPositionFiji
NameNumberNumberName
1FB1
2WG2
3CE3
4CE4
5WG5
6SO/FE6
7SH/HB7
8PR8
9HK9
10PF10
11SR11
12SR12
13LF/LK13
IN
IN
IN
IN
CS
21 October 2023
15:45 NZDT (UTC+13:00)
New Zealand  28–10  Tonga
Tries: Roache (3) 5', 10', 46'
Pasikala 38'
Hufanga 58'
Goals: McGregor (2/6) 12', 40'
 Report
 Tries: Penitani (2) 25', 55'
Goals: Hifo (1/2) 27'
Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: ≈10,000
Referee: Wyatt Raymond (Australia)
Team details
New ZealandPositionTonga
NameNumberNumberName
1FB1
2WG2
3CE3
4CE4
5WG5
6SO/FE6
7SH/HB7
8PR8
9HK9
10PF10
11SR11
12SR12
13LF/LK13
IN
IN
IN
IN
CS
22 October 2023
12:45 AEST (UTC+10:00)
Papua New Guinea  28–20  Cook Islands
Tries: Kapo 9'
Banu 18'
Allan (2) 22', 48'
Kerowa 34'
Norris 44'
Goals: Veivers (2/6) 10', 20'
 Report
 Tries: Makira 14'
Rewi 26'
Takairangi 58'
Holloway-Samuels 63'
Goals: Kiria-Ratu (2/4) 16', 65'
Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Attendance: 7,001[31]
Referee: Belinda Sharpe (Australia)
Team details
Papua New GuineaPositionCook Islands
NameNumberNumberName
1FB1
2WG2
3CE3
4CE4
5WG5
6SO/FE6
7SH/HB7
8PR8
9HK9
10PF10
11SR11
12SR12
13LF/LK13
IN
IN
IN
IN
CS
28 October 2023
18:00 AEDT (UTC+11:00)
Australia  6–12  New Zealand
Tries: Chapman 9'
Goals: Brown (1/1) 10'
 Report
 Tries: Hufanga 34'
Tufuga 62'
Goals: McGregor (2/2) 35', 64'
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Attendance: 10,536
Referee: Belinda Sharpe (Australia)
Team details
AustraliaPositionNew Zealand
NameNumberNumberName
1FB1
2WG2
3CE3
4CE4
5WG5
6SO/FE6
7SH/HB7
8PR8
9HK9
10PF10
11SR11
12SR12
13LF/LK13
IN
IN
IN
IN
CS

Other matches

21 October 2023
New Zealand A New Zealand 36–26 Tonga Tonga A
Tries: Warbrick 2, Howarth, Kini, Roache, Leiataua
Goals: Tuaupiki 6
 Report (NZRL)
 Tries: Koloamatangi-Kalepo, Finefeuiaki, Foketi, Francis
Goals: Teaupa 3

References

  1. ↑ "Australia, New Zealand, PNG to host 2023 Pacific Championships". Rugby League International Federation. 15 August 2023.
  2. ↑ "Eden Park to Host Rugby League Triple Header this Labour Weekend". NZRL. 16 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  3. ↑ "NRL announce 2023 Pacific Championships". NRL. 16 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  4. ↑ Walter, Brad (16 August 2023). "World Cup final rematches headline end of year Pacific Championships". NRL. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  5. ↑ "International rugby league returns in southern hemisphere this autumn with full schedule locked in". LoveRugbyLeague. 16 August 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  6. ↑ Harper, Lachlan (18 September 2023). "Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga springs selection shock with Nat Butcher added to train-on squad". WWOS Nine. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  7. ↑ "Kangaroos name five debutants in Pacific Championships squad". NRL. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  8. 1 2 "Australian men's and women's squads announced for Pacfiic Championships". League Unlimited. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  9. 1 2 "Maguire and Henry Re-Appointed as Head Coaches through to 2025 Rugby League World Cup". NZRL. 5 July 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  10. ↑ "Fisher-Harris confirmed as new Kiwis captain". NRL.com. 15 October 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  11. 1 2 "Samoa Appoint NRL, NRLW Coaches For Pacific Championships". International Rugby League. Rugby League Samoa. 20 September 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  12. ↑ "Grand final stars feature in strong Toa Samoa squad". NRL. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  13. ↑ "Cook Islanders arrive". The National. 12 October 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  14. ↑ Romena, Romeka (22 February 2023). "Kativerata is new Fiji Bati Coach". fijilive.com. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  15. ↑ "Kativerata named permanent coach of Bati after impressive World Cup campaign". ABC. 24 February 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  16. 1 2 "Exciting rookie duo headline talented Fiji Pacific Championships squad". NRL. 6 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  17. ↑ "Kumuls coup: In-demand Holbrook to coach Papua New Guinea". National Rugby League. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  18. ↑ Walter, Brad (15 October 2023). "'He smashes people': Lam backs Laybutt to lead from front". NRL.com. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  19. ↑ "Three Test newcomers among Jillaroos squad for Pacific Championships". NRL. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  20. ↑ Walter, Brad (23 September 2023). "Big dreams ahead: Fiji announce captain, coach, World Cup ambitions". NRL. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  21. ↑ "Kiwi Ferns name Co-Captains to lead Pacific Championships Squad". NZRL. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  22. ↑ "Holbrook, Grima offered big roles". 25 August 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  23. ↑ Walter, Brad (5 October 2023). "Seven NRLW stars in PNG Orchids squad". NRL. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  24. ↑ "A massive privilege: Fetu Samoa relish Williams-Guthrie inclusion". NRL. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  25. ↑ "Tonga name Penitani, Polata in Pacific Championships squad". NRL. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  26. ↑ "Match Officials: Pacific Championships Week 1". NRL. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  27. ↑ "Match Officials: Pacific Championships Week 2". NRL. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  28. ↑ "Australia vs. New Zealand - Australia 0 lost to New Zealand 30 - RLP". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  29. ↑ "Papua New Guinea vs. Cook Islands - Papua New Guinea 46 def. Cook Islands 10 - RLP". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  30. ↑ "Fiji vs. Cook Islands - Fiji 22 def. Cook Islands 18 - RLP". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  31. ↑ "Papua New Guinea (W) vs. Cook Islands (W) - Papua New Guinea (W) 28 def. Cook Islands (W) 20 - RLP". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
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