Pacific Championships 2024

[BristolDevonCharlie]

In terms of the promotion / relegation, the bigger question mark of how it will work is the Women's competition in 2025.

Australia's women will be playing Great Britain / England next year. This leaves NZ and PNG from the Cup.

However, one of those will be playing in a promotion / relegation playoff vs the winner of the women's Bowl. 

So either they have messed that format up, or Australia's will be playing against both GB/England and in the Pacific Champs, which would be very possible, but involve playing four or five games in the autumn (as the first of the three GB/England Tests will be in Vegas).

[Dave T]

40 minutes ago, BristolDevonCharlie said:

Or surely the most likely is New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga. Can't see Fiji or PNG beating Tonga in the playoff. 

This would give the NRL & NZRL what they want in a year without Australia - some very marketable games in New Zealand or Western Sydney.  These will include the first Tonga v Samoa game in the Southern Hempishere since 2018.

Yes, of course - that bit passed me by. Although maybe Fiji could repeat their efforts of the 2017 World Cup when they knocked out the Kiwis in NZ!

[DoubleD]

1 hour ago, GeordieSaint said:

Throwing the player safety perspective into the bin like Origin does, why can’t the internationals take place on the same Wednesday? 

I expect the backing up from midweek to be revisted at some point in the near future..............it goes against all efforts to make the game safer, and reckon we'll see mandatory rest periods. Now that doesn't mean it will be the end of midweek Origins because NRL could just continue without their stars but I'd rather see a dedicated 3 week block for this. It's currently too disruptive to NRL season as it is, and NRL always loses some spectator interest during this period

[fenster]

If Australia is coming to England in 2025 then surely it has to be New Zealand, Tonga and Samoa all played in NZ?

tonga v Samoa in Auckland 

NZ v Samoa in wellington 

NZ v tonga in Christchurch 

[BristolDevonCharlie]

46 minutes ago, Dave T said:

Yes, of course - that bit passed me by. Although maybe Fiji could repeat their efforts of the 2017 World Cup when they knocked out the Kiwis in NZ!

That would be good! They ran them close at the last World Cup too. 

[Odsal Outlaw]

9 hours ago, Dave T said:

The staging looks very good this year. Sensible and ambitious grounds, looks like they are taking it a little more serious with ground choice. 

Interesting that they are introducing P&R! 

There is still a big flaw in this tournament that really does show the fact this should be mid-season, and that's that despite having P&R and a table, next year the Aussies won't be in it, Samoa not this year, Tonga missing last year. 

It is also still "blink and you miss it" with only 2 matches and a final per team. 

But yes, it looks better than last year's version. 

Agree with you on the flaw … but we need that flaw under the current set up to get some games for England!

[Hopie]

3 hours ago, Dave T said:

Yes, of course - that bit passed me by. Although maybe Fiji could repeat their efforts of the 2017 World Cup when they knocked out the Kiwis in NZ!

Watched that game on TV in NZ, post match analysis was like a funeral.

[Balmainboy]

Great to see. Hopefully end of season internationals continue and build momentum. Origin wasn't built in one season and its foolish to think these comps will be either. 

Would also hope over time if the comp grows in prestige more players eligible for Fiji will choose to play for them and PNG coming into the NRL will improve their national team too. 

Fingers crossed for a change in fortune for the game in the NH. 

[sam4731]

It's actually a shame that the promotion/Relegation game isn't being played in Port Moresby. If PNG were to top the bowl, a home game against one of the top 3 with a chance at promotion would be a cracking occasion.

[Damien]

27 minutes ago, Balmainboy said:

Great to see. Hopefully end of season internationals continue and build momentum. Origin wasn't built in one season and its foolish to think these comps will be either. 

Would also hope over time if the comp grows in prestige more players eligible for Fiji will choose to play for them and PNG coming into the NRL will improve their national team too. 

Fingers crossed for a change in fortune for the game in the NH. 

I get the point about Origin not being built in 1 season but the trouble is the NRL seems to be actively holding back international Rugby League and has done so since the emergence of Tonga in 2017. It does next to nothing to promote it and treats it as an afterthought. Even this piecemeal announcement less than 2 months away shows the disdain in which they hold the international game.

I honestly believe that if any real effort had been made that these games would be massive now. Unfortunately the NRL doesn't seem to want that and doesn't want anything to take away from Origin either in terms of prestige or players choosing international RL over Origin.

Edited August 30, 2024 by Damien

[fenster]

7 minutes ago, Damien said:

I get the point about Origin not being built in 1 season but the trouble is the NRL seems to be actively holding back international Rugby League and has done so since the emergence of Tonga in 2017. It does next to nothing to promote it and treats it as an afterthought. Even this piecemeal announcement less than 2 months away shows the disdain in which they hold the international game.

I honestly believe that if any real effort had been made that these games would be massive now. Unfortunately the NRL doesn't seem to want that and doesn't want anything to take away from Origin either interested of prestige or players choosing international RL over Origin.

To the NRL origin is the pinnacle of the game and everything else plays second fiddle including the kangaroos unfortunately.

[fenster]

9 minutes ago, sam4731 said:

It's actually a shame that the promotion/Relegation game isn't being played in Port Moresby. If PNG were to top the bowl, a home game against one of the top 3 with a chance at promotion would be a cracking occasion.

Would it ever.

now that’s a game I’d love to see.

[The Rocket]

4 hours ago, Balmainboy said:

Great to see. Hopefully end of season internationals continue and build momentum. Origin wasn't built in one season and its foolish to think these comps will be either. 

Would also hope over time if the comp grows in prestige more players eligible for Fiji will choose to play for them and PNG coming into the NRL will improve their national team too. 

Fingers crossed for a change in fortune for the game in the NH. 

I like the way they are putting games in places (2 on consecutive weekends in Fiji) that have all put bids in for NRL franchises as well. Sowing the seeds for future expansion.

[Sports Prophet]

8 hours ago, DoubleD said:

I expect the backing up from midweek to be revisted at some point in the near future..............it goes against all efforts to make the game safer, and reckon we'll see mandatory rest periods. Now that doesn't mean it will be the end of midweek Origins because NRL could just continue without their stars but I'd rather see a dedicated 3 week block for this. It's currently too disruptive to NRL season as it is, and NRL always loses some spectator interest during this period

I would three consecutive weekends too, but the media partners do get lots of value out of spreading it across the current six week block and are against the NRL restructuring.

9 hours ago, Dave T said:

Yes, of course - that bit passed me by. Although maybe Fiji could repeat their efforts of the 2017 World Cup when they knocked out the Kiwis in NZ!

Yeah, this has Tonga losing to Fiji written all over it and again a Samoa v Tonga match will be denied in 2025 once more.

[welshmagpie]

16 hours ago, fenster said:

If Australia is coming to England in 2025 then surely it has to be New Zealand, Tonga and Samoa all played in NZ?

tonga v Samoa in Auckland 

NZ v Samoa in wellington 

NZ v tonga in Christchurch 

England go to Australia 

[sam4731]

16 hours ago, fenster said:

If Australia is coming to England in 2025 then surely it has to be New Zealand, Tonga and Samoa all played in NZ?

tonga v Samoa in Auckland 

NZ v Samoa in wellington 

NZ v tonga in Christchurch 

Unless one of NZ or Tonga is relegated.

[BristolDevonCharlie]

18 hours ago, BristolDevonCharlie said:

In terms of the promotion / relegation, the bigger question mark of how it will work is the Women's competition in 2025.

Australia's women will be playing Great Britain / England next year. This leaves NZ and PNG from the Cup.

However, one of those will be playing in a promotion / relegation playoff vs the winner of the women's Bowl. 

So either they have messed that format up, or Australia's will be playing against both GB/England and in the Pacific Champs, which would be very possible, but involve playing four or five games in the autumn (as the first of the three GB/England Tests will be in Vegas).

Another thought, who will be the third team in the Men's Bowl in 2025?

Australia will play GB and the Cook Islands will be in the World Series. 

Men's Cup 2025:
1. Tonga or NZ
2. Samoa
3. P/R Playoff winner

Men's Bowl 2025:
1. P/R Playoff loser
2. 2nd or 3rd in 2025 Bowl (not the Cook Islands)
3. ?

Perhaps promote IRL members Solomon Islands, Vanuatu or the Philippines, or would that be too big a step up?

[Tommygilf]

1 hour ago, BristolDevonCharlie said:

Another thought, who will be the third team in the Men's Bowl in 2025?

Australia will play GB and the Cook Islands will be in the World Series. 

Men's Cup 2025:
1. Tonga or NZ
2. Samoa
3. P/R Playoff winner

Men's Bowl 2025:
1. P/R Playoff loser
2. 2nd or 3rd in 2025 Bowl (not the Cook Islands)
3. ?

Perhaps promote IRL members Solomon Islands, Vanuatu or the Philippines, or would that be too big a step up?

Tonga, NZ Samoa cup,

PNG FIJI Cook Islands (bowl) most likely

[Hopie]

Lebanon have already qualified for the next RLWC so may be primed to make a guest appearance.

[BristolDevonCharlie]

1 hour ago, Tommygilf said:

Tonga, NZ Samoa cup,

PNG FIJI Cook Islands (bowl) most likely

Cook Islands will be in the World Series, as mentioned. That is the crux of my query. 

[BristolDevonCharlie]

3 minutes ago, Hopie said:

Lebanon have already qualified for the next RLWC so may be primed to make a guest appearance.

Possibly, but everything they say about the Pacific Championships is that it is for the Pacific, and the terms for the Australian Government money may be something along those lines. 

[fenster]

6 hours ago, welshmagpie said:

England go to Australia 

Even better.

when was the last time England toured Australia. Late 90’s?

[fenster]

6 hours ago, sam4731 said:

Unless one of NZ or Tonga is relegated.

Hopefully not as a pacific tournament held in New Zealand could be massive for RL in NZ.

[crashmon]

7 hours ago, welshmagpie said:

England go to Australia 

Still will only believe this when the 1st test actually kicks off

[Mathius Hellwege]

On 31/08/2024 at 10:28, BristolDevonCharlie said:

Another thought, who will be the third team in the Men's Bowl in 2025?

Australia will play GB and the Cook Islands will be in the World Series. 

Men's Cup 2025:
1. Tonga or NZ
2. Samoa
3. P/R Playoff winner

Men's Bowl 2025:
1. P/R Playoff loser
2. 2nd or 3rd in 2025 Bowl (not the Cook Islands)
3. ?

Perhaps promote IRL members Solomon Islands, Vanuatu or the Philippines, or would that be too big a step up?

Lebanon should finally be used...