Rugby league officials are considering Accor Stadium as the venue for next year’s highly anticipated Tonga-Samoa clash, hoping to attract Australia’s largest Test crowd in 50 years.
Sunday’s Pacific Championships final at CommBank Stadium saw a sold-out crowd of 28,728 fans, most cheering for Tonga as Australia secured a 20-14 victory.
Next year, the Pacific Cup will feature Tonga, New Zealand, and Samoa, with Australia expected to tour the UK.
There is mounting support for a larger venue, as New Zealand will host its games against Pacific rivals, while the Tonga-Samoa match may stay in Sydney’s western suburbs, known for strong Pacific Islander communities.
Samoa coach Ben Gardiner expressed interest in hosting the game in Samoa but sees Accor Stadium as a powerful alternative.
“In a perfect world, 50,000 would definitely be do-able,” Gardiner told AAP, envisioning a memorable atmosphere.
Tonga captain Jason Taumalolo also supports a large Sydney venue, while coach Kristian Woolf sees western Sydney as a natural home: “That’s where our people live.”
If held at Accor Stadium, the match would precede a November 7 Oasis concert, adding logistical considerations for scheduling.