The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) has announced details of a new Pacific Championships involving international men’s and women’s matches in October and November 2023.
The tournament will be staged in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea (PNG), and will feature six men’s teams and seven women’s teams. The men’s teams will be Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa and Papua New Guinea, while the women’s teams will be Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tonga.
The tournament will be played across two pools, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the semi-finals. The men’s finals will be played in Hamilton, New Zealand, and Port Moresby, PNG, on November 4-5.
The ARLC has partnered with the Australian Government to promote and develop rugby league in the Pacific through the Championships. The Albanese Government will provide funding to ensure that matches can be played in the Pacific, enabling players to play in front of their loyal local fans.
The Pacific Championships is a major boost for rugby league in the region. It will provide a platform for players to showcase their skills and compete against the best in the world. It will also help to grow the game in the Pacific and strengthen ties between Australia and its Pacific neighbours.
The Championships are scheduled to take place every two years, starting in 2023. The next tournament will be held in 2025.