The Kiwis have given Kieran Foran the perfect send-off with a come from behind victory over Samoa in the Pacific Championships final at CommBank Stadium.
Playing his 34th and final Test match, Foran had a hand in everything as New Zealand stormed home in the second half after trailing 14-6 at the break.
With Keano Kini, Dylan Brown and Naufahu Whyte also starring, the Kiwis secured their second Pacific Cup title in three seasons.
The Pacific Championships women’s final pitted defending champions the Jillaroos against arch-rivals the Kiwi Ferns and it was the green and gold proving far too strong with a 40-8 triumph.
With player of the match Julia Robinson and Jakiya Whitfeld finishing in style out wide and Kezie Apps and Yasmin Clydsdale on fire on the edges, the Jillaroos started fast and never took their foot off the gas.
Follow all the Pacific Championships Finals action on NRL.com’s live blog.
Men’s Pacific Cup Final: Kiwis v Toa Samoa
Dylan dazzles: The Kiwis No.6 put an exclamation mark on a stunning Pacific Championships tournament with a brilliant display in the final. Brown had 22 runs for 181 metres, 10 tackle breaks, three try assists and threw in seven offloads for good measure.
Full-time: Twelve months ago the Kiwis were staring down the barrel of relegation to the Pacific Bowl but a comprehensive victory over Samoa confirms their status as a genuine contender for next year’s World Cup. With Dylan Brown dominant, the Kiwis piled on 30 unanswered points in the second half to wrap up a second Pacific Cup crown to go with their 2023 triumph.
78 min: Dylan Brown handles twice and Keano Kini and Isaiah Papalii also feature before Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad plunges over in the corner. Jamayne Isaako converts from touch. Kiwis 36-14.
76 min: The Kiwis seal the result as Isaiah Papalii brushes through a Blaize Talagi tackle and races away to score his second try of the final. A stunning comeback for the Kiwis after they trailed by eight at the break. Kiwis 30-14.
74 min: An escort penalty against Junior Paulo hands Jamayne Isaako another shot at goal and he adds two more for a 12-point lead. Kiwis 26-14.
72 min: Francis Molo is also forced from the field for a HIA.
71 min: Samoa centre Deine Mariner leaves the field for a HIA. He is assessed as a Category 1 head knock and will not return,
70 min: Benaiah Ioelu goes close for Samoa before the ball goes right and Izack Tago tries to slip an offload but Casey McLean knocks the ball down and the Kiwis hang on.
67 min: Relentless attack by the Kiwis is finished off by prolific tryscorer Casey McLean after another sizzling run from Dylan Brown and an offload to the young winger who now has eight tries in four Tests. Jamayne Isaako misses the conversion. Kiwis 24-14.
63 min: A short dropout by Jarome Luai is taken by Keano Kini and the Kiwis reload to look for the killer blow.
61 min: More pressure for Samoa after a high tackle by Brian To’o invites the Kiwis into the Red Zone.
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Erin Clark Try
56 min: Sheer power from Erin Clark as he powers through Chanel Harris-Tavita, Junior Paulo and Josh Papalii to give the Kiwis the lead. Jamayne Isaako converts. Kiwis 20-14.
55 min: A mistake by Brian To’o under the high ball puts Samoa under pressure.Â
52 min: A high tackle by Jarome Luai on Keano Kini hands Jamayne Isaako a shot at penalty goal which he converts. 14-14
51 min: Samoa forward Jaydn Su’A is placed on report for a hip drop on Briton Nikora.
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Isaiah Papali’i Try
49 min: All class from Kieran Foran in his farewell game as he goes to the line and delivers a perfectly timed pass to Dylan Brown who gets a one-handed offload away for Isaiah Papalii to score. Jamayne Isaako converts. Samoa 14-12.
47 min: Blaize Talagi kicks high and Keano Kini again stands tall under the high ball before the Kiwis receive a penalty for a dangerous tackle by Jaydn Su’A and move up field into Samoa territory.
42 min: Samoa goes to the air and the ball spills free to Chanel Harris-Tavita who slides over but replays show a knock on by Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in the contest.Â
Land of the giants: Payne Haas and Junior Paulo were immense for Samoa. Both went the full 40 without a break and bent the line with powerhouse charges, Haas had 10 runs for 74 metres while Paulo’s 12 charges yielded 96 metres. They also had eight tackle breaks between them and made a combined 46 tackles.
Special K: Kiwi fullback Keano Kini has been one of the stars of the tournament and continued his dazzling form with 125 run metres from 19 runs to go with six tackle breaks and four offloads. After an injury-interrupted 2025, the Titans whiz kid looks set for a huge 2026 under new coach Josh Hannay.
Half-time: A sensational 40 minutes comes to an end with a touch of controversy on the Deine Mariner ‘no try’ and Samoa up by eight as they search for a first ever international title. The Kiwis had more ball (54% to 46%) but were denied several times by desperate Samoa defence.
40 min: A high tackle penalty against Erin Clark on the last play of the half gives Blaize Talagi a shot at goal. He bangs it over. Samoa 14-6.
40 min: Deine Mariner looks to have come up with a huge try on the stroke of half-time after dancing around Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and getting the ball over despite the efforts of three defenders to hold him up. The referee rules the ball didn’t touch the stripe and the bunker backs up the decision and Samoa are denied.
39 min: Briton Nikora again tests the Samoa defence but is penalised for obstructing a defender after running behind one of his own players.
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Naufahu Whyte Try
33 min: The Kiwis strike back through Naufahu Whyte courtesy of a quality short ball from Erin Clark. In 11 minutes on the field Whyte already has four tackle breaks and 52 run metres, again providing huge impact off the bench. Jamayne Isaako converts. Samoa 12-6.
31 min: Dylan Brown slices through again and is cut down by Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Payne Haas in desperate cover.
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Simi Sasagi Try
28 min: Casey McLean is also held up over the line and the Kiwis reload and go right but Simi Sasagi picks off a Kieran Foran pass and races 80 metres to score. Blaize Talagi converts. Samoa 12-0.
27 min: Dylan Brown dummies his way through and gets over the line but is denied by Roger Tuivasa-Sheck who holds him up.
23 min: More slick ball movement from the Kiwis with Naufahu Whyte making big metres before Simi Sasagi comes up with a trysaver on Briton Nikora.
20 min: Razzle dazzle attack from the Kiwis with Briton Nikora and Dylan Brown combining before the final pass from Nikora travels forward and Samoa come away.
19 min: Jarome Luai hoists the ball high and Keano Kini comes up with a confident catch.
17 min: Moses Leota comes up with a sloppy play the ball and the Kiwis squander their opportunity.
17 min: A blow for Samoa with Murray Taulagi leaving the field with a knee injury.
17 min: Jarome Luai is penalised for a high shot on Keano Kini after getting the Kiwi fullback in a headlock and back slamming him to the ground.
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Brian To’o Try
11 min: Back-to-back barnstorming runs by Junior Paulo and Payne Haas and a pair of six-agains have Samoa in perfect position and Jarome Luai dances around Matt Timoko before sending the ball to Brian To’o for a try in the corner. Blaize Talagi converts from touch. Samoa 6-0.
8 min: A massive chance for Samoa goes begging as Jarome Luai’s long pass to an open Brian To’o goes behind the winger and into touch.
5 min: The Kiwis launch a successful captain’s challenge as Izack Tago is penalised for obstructing the catcher on a kick chase. Referee Ashley Klein had penalised the Kiwis for offside after the ball was spilled and fell to a player in an offside position but James Fisher-Harris challenged and was successful.
3 min: The Kiwis are penalised for a flop and Samoa work the ball up to the opposition 40m line where Jarome Luai goes high.
Kick-off: The Kiwis get us underway and send the ball down to Francis Molo who is met in a ferocious tackle from James Fisher-Harris and Isaiah Papalii. Samoa get through their set and Jarome Luai kicks long.
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An awe-inspiring Siva Tau
Late Mail
Kiwis: The Kiwis are 1-17 with no late changes. Kieran Foran will start at halfback in his final game of rugby league, partnering with Golden Boot contender Dylan Brown in the halves. Keano Kini again starts at fullback after receiving a late call-up last week, while captain James Fisher-Harris will lead an imposing forward pack. Scott Sorensen is 18th man.
Toa Samoa: A late switch in the pack with Benaiah Ioelu starting at hooker and Jazz Tevaga sliding to the bench. Jaydn Su’A returns after missing the win over Tonga with a concussion. Su’A replaces Jeremiah Nanai, who has been ruled out with a shoulder injury. Ata Mariota is the 18th man.
Numbers Game
The Kiwis have won all six Test matches against Samoa.
Samoa are aiming for their first international title.
Kiwis centre Casey McLean has scored seven tries in three Test appearances. The most by a Kiwi player in his first three Tests is Hugh McGahan with eight in 1982-83.
Samoan players Payne Haas and Deine Mariner are aiming for a Premiership-Pacific Cup double.
The Kiwis have won only one of their past six Tests in Australia.
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Women’s Pacific Cup Final: Jillaroos v Kiwi Ferns
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Jillaroos v Kiwi Ferns – Final, 2025
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The 2025 Women’s Pacific Champions
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Jillaroos: Final
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Kiwi Ferns: Final
No.1 gun: Kiwi Ferns fullback Apii Nicholls could hold her head high after another classy display that saw her rack up 156 metres from 17 runs and six tackle breaks. Nicholls brought the ball out of her own end with some ferocious runs and her defence was also first-rate.
Rampaging Robbo: The high-flying Julia Robinson capped a magnificent season with a try double and the player of the match award. Robinson had 138 run metres and two tackle breaks as she cemented her standing as one of the game’s elite outside backs.
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Julia Robinson named Player of the Match
Back five thrive: Tamika Upton, Isabelle Kelly, Julia Robinson, Tiana Penitani Gray and Jakiya Whitfeld combined for 65 runs and 665 metres for the Jillaroos while Jess Sergis came off the bench to score a try and rack up 111 run metres.
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From the field: Jesse Southwell
Full-time: The Jillaroos run in seven tries to wrap up back-to-back Pacific Cup titles. After being pushed to the limit by the Kiwi Ferns in Auckland last week, the Jillaroos flexed their muscle with some scintillating attack and bruising defence.
70 min: A wide sweep to the left is finished off by Julia Robinson after the final pass was delivered by Yasmin Clydsdale. That’s a double for Robinson to cap a thumping win for the Jillaroos. Jesse Southwell hits the crossbar for her first miss of the day. Jillaroos 40-8.
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Ellie Johnston Try
63 min: Ellie Johnston grabs her first Test try with a hit and spin from close range after taking a pass from dummy half Olivia Higgins. Another simple conversion for Jesse Southwell to give her six from six. Jillaroos 36-8.
60 min: Ivana Lauitiiti is placed on report and sent to the sin bin for a hip drop tackle on Olivia Higgins.
59 min: Jillaroos back-rower Kezie Apps leaves the field with a lower back injury while Annessa Biddle cops an accidental knee to the head as she tries to tackle Ellie Johnston front on. Biddle also leaves the field for a HIA.
58 min: A mistake from Tiana Penitani Gray as she grasses a pass that was slightly behind her and that’s a ninth error for the Jillaroos.
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Tysha Ikenasio Try
52 min: Tyla King finds Raecene McGregor who picks up Tysha Ikenasio and the winger does the rest, stepping inside Jakiya Whitfeld to cross wide out for her first try as a Kiwi Fern. Jillaroos 30-8.
49 min: A 14th Test try for Tamika Upton as she goes to the line, throws a dummy and pushes through Abigail Roache to glide over. Jesse Southwell again adds the extras. Jillaroos 30-4.
47 min: A strong run from Abigail Roache comes to nothing after she tries to get an offload away and loses control of the ball.
45 min: The Jillaroos are pinged for a strip by Jakiya Whitfeld on Mele Hufanga. They throw in a captain’s challenge but come up empty.
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Shanice Parker Try
41 min: Shanice Parker finishes off some slick hands from Georgia Hale, Raecene McGregor, Apii Nicholls and Abigail Roache to cross in the right-hand corner to get the Kiwi Ferns on the board. Nicholls fails to convert from wide out. Jillaroos 24-4.
40 min: Tamika Upton slips an offload to Kezie Apps who puts the ball down to hand the Kiwi Ferns an opportunity from 30 metres out.
Jakiya justifies her selection: Winger Whitfeld was called up to replace Jess Sergis, who went to the bench, and the Cowboys flyer did not disappoint. Whitfeld ran for 113 metres, had two line breaks and set up a try for Sergis in the 32nd minute. Sergis came into the game in the 27th minute and made the most of her chances as she racked up 95 run metres and raced away for her 17th Test try.
Half-time: A dominant display from the defending Pacific Cup champions as they complete 16 of 21 sets and run in four tries to take a commanding lead to the sheds. The Kiwi Ferns completed high at 85 per cent but lacked polish at the end of their sets and could not find a way through.
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Jessica Sergis Try
32 min: A chance for the Kiwi Ferns comes to nothing when Raecene McGregor’s grubber is easily cleaned up by Rima Butler and in the blink of an eye the Jillaroos go the length to score after Jakiya Whitfeld sends Jess Sergis on a clear run to the line from 70 metres out. Jesse Southwell laps up another easy conversion. Jillaroos 24-0.
30 min: A penalty against Annessa Biddle for interference in the play the ball invites the Jillaroos into good field position again.
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Keilee Joseph Try
25 min: In their first set with an extra player the Jillaroos strike with dummy half Qunicy Dodd picking up a hard charging Keilee Joseph who crosses for the Jillaroos’ third try. Jesse Southwell converts. Jillaroos 18-0.
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Quinlan sent to the bin
25 min: Slick hands by the Jillaroos creates space for Jakiya Whitfeld and she is cut down in a great cover tackle by Tyla King. Ferns bench utility Ash Quinlan comes in to join the tackle but holds on too long and goes to the bin for a professional foul.
22 min: A powerful run by Shaniece Monschau puts the Ferns on the front foot but Tyla King’s grubber is easily cleaned up by the Jillaroos.
18 min: Ali Brigginshaw goes to the line and creates space but her pass is knocked down and the Kiwi Ferns come up with possession.
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Julia Robinson Try
13 min: Julia Robinson again shows her aerial skills to fly high and bring down a Jesse Southwell cross field kick and plunges over to score. Coming two weeks after her magnificent kick-chase try at Suncorp Stadium a fortnight ago, Robinson again showcased her ability to climb above defenders and bring the ball down. That’s 21 tries in 13 Tests for Robinson as the Jillaroos extend their lead. Jillaroos 12-0.
7 min: Jessika Elliston returns the favour with an error to allow the Kiwi Ferns out of their own end and a penalty against Ellie Johnston for holding down brings the Ferns into the Red Zone.
6 min: Olivia Higgins makes a mistake at dummy half to hand the Kiwi Ferns a chance but they come up with an error on play one and the Jillaroos come out of trouble.
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Olivia Kernick Try
3 min: A flying start for the Jillaroos with Olivia Kernick slicing between Tiana Davison and Annessa Biddle and stretching out to score her second try of the tournament. Jesse Southwell converts from close range. Jillaroos 6-0.
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The Kiwi Ferns look formidable
Late Mail
Jillaroos: The Jillaroos line up 1-17 with no late changes. Fullback Tamika Upton returns for the final after overcoming a calf injury while Olivia Higgins slots straight into the starting hooker role following the shoulder injury to Keeley Davis in the win over the Kiwi Ferns in Auckland. Other changes see Jakiya Whitfeld come from the reserves to start on the wing, moving Jess Sergis to the bench.Â
Kiwi Ferns: A change an hour before kick-off with Olympic gold medallist Tyla King coming into the starting side at five-eighth with Ash Quinlan going to the bench. Tysha Ikenasio replaces winger Leianne Tufuga, who has been placed in the head knock protocols. Shakira Baker is the 18th player.
Numbers Game
The Jillaroos have conceded 12 points in their last six Tests.
The Kiwi Ferns have won only one of their past 11 games against the Jillaroos.
The Jillaroos have scored 160 points to eight in three Test appearances in 2025.
The Ferns have won only one of their past five Tests on Australian soil.
Jillaroos fullback Tamika Upton has scored 11 tries in her last five Test matches.