Cook Islands Moana will battle PNG Orchids on October 17 before facing the Tonga XIII on October 24 in the 2025 Pacific Championships Bowl competition. Both matches will be held at Santos National Football Stadium. NRL/25080617
The Cook Islands men’s and women’s rugby league teams will feature in the Pacific Bowl competition in the 2025 Pacific Championships, to be played across three countries and four consecutive weekends in October and November.
In the men’s competition, the Cook Islands Aitu will take on Fiji Bati and Papua New Guinea Kumuls on October 17 and 24, respectively, at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
In the women’s competition, the Cook Islands Moana will battle PNG Orchids on October 17 before facing the Tonga XIII on October 24. Both matches will be held at Santos National Football Stadium.
The Cook Islands Aitu played the Kumuls twice, losing 10-46 and 20-46. They also played the Bati twice, losing both games 18-22 and 6-56.
The Moana faced the Orchids once before, losing 20-28. The upcoming fixture will be the team’s first match against Tonga.
The men’s and women’s Pacific Bowl tournaments will be played over three consecutive weekends in Port Moresby.
The feature competition in the 2025 Pacific Championships will be the Pacific Cup, which will feature the Kiwis, Toa Samoa and Tonga XIII in the men’s division, and the Jillaroos, Fetu Samoa and Kiwi Ferns in the women’s division.
In a statement, the National Rugby League (NRL) said that after a stunning finale to the 2024 Pacific Championships, where the Kangaroos and Jillaroos claimed their respective Pacific Cup titles, the 2025 edition is set to reignite some of the game’s fiercest international rivalries.
Samoa returns in the men’s Cup draw after missing last year’s Pacific Championships to tour the UK and are set to face off with 2024 runner-up Tonga as part of an explosive opening double-header on Australian soil, which will also feature the Jillaroos and Samoa in action at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Sunday, October 26.
Samoa and Tonga will be joined by New Zealand to challenge for the men’s Pacific Cup, with the Kiwis set to host Samoa at Go Media Stadium on October 19 and Tonga at Eden Park on November 2.
Sydney’s golden west will come alive for the Final in rugby league heartland, with western Sydney’s passionate Pasifika community set to bring a vibrant atmosphere to the men’s and women’s Pacific Cup deciders at CommBank Stadium on Sunday, November 9.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the passion of fans across the tournament last year highlighted the power of the event to ignite the Pacific.
“The images of a sea of red jerseys and Tongan flags at last year’s Final in Sydney, the big crowds in New Zealand and the hero’s reception for the teams playing in Fiji and PNG were massive moments for rugby league last year.
“Nothing stirs the emotions and inspires players or fans quite like the pride for their nation and there is no greater example of the unique passion and energy that international rugby league brings than what we witness during the Pacific Championships.”
The Jillaroos will begin their women’s Pacific Cup title defence against Samoa in the Suncorp Stadium double-header on October 26 before heading across the Tasman to face the Kiwi Ferns at Eden Park on November 2.
The 2025 Pacific Championships Final is proudly supported by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
NSW Minister for Sport, Minister for Jobs and Tourism and Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said: “I’m thrilled Sydney will host the Final of the Pacific Championships. Western Sydney has the nation’s largest Pasifika community, whose passion and enthusiasm will create a unique and incredible atmosphere that’s not to be missed.
“We look forward to welcoming rugby league fans from around the nation and across the ditch for an unforgettable sporting experience in the rugby league capital of the world.”
The Pacific Bowl is proudly supported by the Australian Government through PacificAus Sports. PacificAus Sports creates opportunities for Australian and Pacific athletes to learn, train, play and grow together.