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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\u2019t get enough rugby league! Week 1 of the Pacific Championships didn\u2019t disappoint, especially in the tightly contested New Zealand v Samoa matches.<\/p>\n
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The Pacific Championships Week 1<\/p>\n
Not all went as expected in the\u00a0women\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
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In the\u00a0men\u2019s division, Jahream Bula got the Bati off to a flyer with a hat-trick in the first 12 minutes of the game. Once Navale\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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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\u2019o 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.<\/p>\n
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The Championships Week 2<\/p>\n
Women\u2019s Division:<\/p>\n
This weekend\u2019s 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\u2019s a bit of a challenge to tip this one but I\u2019ll go with the Moana on the basis of them having already had a game, and an impressive one at that.<\/p>\n
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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\u2019s hard to see the ladies in blue getting too close. But don\u2019t 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\u2019ll go with the\u00a0Jillaroos.<\/p>\n
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Men\u2019s\u00a0Division:<\/p>\n
The PNG Kumuls take on the Cook Islands Aitu in Saturday\u2019s clash in Port Moresby. This is a big game for the Kumuls who will want to show that PNG\u2019s 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 \u2013 the Kumuls have home ground advantage while the Aitu have a game under their belt to build upon. I\u2019ll go for the upset with the Aitu\u00a0to prevail.<\/p>\n
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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 \u2013 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 \u2013 and that\u2019s 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\u2019ll go with Toa Samoa \u2013 just!<\/p>\n
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To see the full team lists for Week 2 click here. All matches will be covered by Channel 9, check local guides for times.<\/p>\n
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The First Ashes Test<\/p>\n
It\u2019s been a long time coming\u2026more 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 pin\u00e3ta of preening referees. For goodness sake! Let\u2019s just relish the opportunity to see top flight international rugby league in the form of one of the oldest rivalries going around.<\/p>\n
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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\u2019 premiership team, a mix of old stagers, brilliance and recycled parts \u2013 it\u2019s a combination that could produce anything. Perhaps the luckiest player of all is The Fox who wasn\u2019t even in the original touring party! To see the Kangaroos team list click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n At the time of writing, the England team was yet to be announced although a predicted line-up has been circulating. To see the predicted England team click here<\/a>. Fresh off the Super League season, the Chooms will be ready to go with nothing to lose.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 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\u2019s what I expect.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Check local tv guides for match times. We\u2019ll have full coverage of all of these matches next week.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n To read our library of rugby league stories click HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n To return to our Footy Almanac home page click HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?<\/p>\n And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help things keep ticking over please consider making your own contribution.<\/p>\n Become an Almanac (annual) member \u2013 CLICK HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1761164959_17_almanac-1.jpg\")
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