Pacific Championships Final Day Scores & Updates

It’s the biggest day on the International Rugby League calendar in 2024 as the Pacific Championships Finals take place at CommBank Stadium.

The Papua New Guinea Orchids have faced a tough time of it this year but are improving and looking to cause an upset over Fetu Samoa. Samoa is here thanks to an Annetta-Claudia Nu’uausala try in the 67th minute to beat Fiji Bulikula last week.

The Jillaroos have beaten the Kiwi Ferns once already, but this shapes as a much more even contest. The Ferns looked like a team that hadn’t played before their first match against the Jillaroos in Week 2 and will be better prepared for this one.

Injuries have changed the look of the Kangaroos with Cameron Murray ruled out for an extended period. Nonetheless, they’re still a very strong side and will be favourites in the Pacific Championships Final against Tonga XIII.

The Kiwis and Kumuls will wrap up the International Rugby League and rugby league overall for 2024 in a highly anticipated promotion-relegation game.

Pacific Championships Scores & Updates

• Kiwis 54 - 12 Papua New Guinea Kumuls

• Kangaroos 20 - 14 Tonga XIII

• Jillaroos 24 - 4 Kiwi Ferns

• Papua New Guinea Orchids 12 - 34 Fetu Samoa

Kiwis 54 - 12 Papua New Guinea Kumuls

5’ - What a dream start for Casey McLean!

He’s caught an absolute peach of a pass from Charnze Nicol-Klokstad to score with his second touch of the ball on debut.

It’s hard to say just yet where the Kumuls are at in this one. They’ve not had much opportunity early. However, the Kiwis are looking a cut above right now.

12’ - The Kiwis are over again, and it’s here that is likely to be the difference in this one.

Shaun Johnson is guiding the Kiwis around the field. His little skip across is able to engage the four-man with a lead inside the three-man. That puts Keano Kini on the outside of Lachlan Lam. While the Kumuls do a good job of getting to Peta Hiku, they’re on the back foot and losing the tackle. As a result, he’s able to get his arms free to offload the football before Jamayne Isaako dives over in the corner.

Hiku showed great strength and Isaako skill, but it’s all down to Johnson and his manipulation of the defensive line.

22’ - Sylvester Namo knows how to find the line and has done it again in this one.

He’s the beneficiary of a strange lack of communication in the middle of the Kiwis defence as Joseph Taine and James Fisher-Harris move in different directions.

While the Kiwis have looked comfortable at times, their discipline is allowing the Kumuls to apply pressure.

27’- A few nervous moments for the Kiwis here. The Bunker has found an offside player to deny the Kumuls a try that would allow them to take the lead.

The Kiwis need to get back to what worked early and allow Johnson to move the line for an extended period.

34’ - This game could be looking a lot different.

The Kumuls have left two tries out there, if not three. They’re throwing the right amount of crazy at the Kiwis that it’s controlled and tough to defend. But a bit like the Kangaroos against Tonga, the Kiwis look one moment away from breaking the game open. Kini, in particular, has been dangerous with almost every touch.

Halftime - And just like that, the Kiwis are 22-6 in front…

Leo Thompson crashed over to give the Kiwis some breathing room, but it’s the work of Casey McLean as the siren sounded that started to put the game away. Receiving a bullet from Kini as the Kiwis cross halfway, McLean stands up Robert Derby on the wing before streaking down the sideline and finding Nicoll-Klokstad on the inside.

The Kumuls had played themselves into the game five minutes ago. I’ve just deleted a very different halftime summary. Two tries in five minutes should start to put the game beyond doubt, though.

41’ - The Kumuls have avoided disaster after sending the kickoff out on the full.

Johnson and the Kiwis are still working the left edge Kumuls defence. It doesn’t look long before Kini or Papali’i slices through.

44’ - There will be no avoiding disaster on the following set.

Johnson…He’s still got it. He’s got the ball on a string and dangled it out in front of McLean for the youngster to score another one. It’s fitting that we see Johnson go out with a try assist off his boot. His kicking game has always been wildly underrated and a key feature of his game management. In this case, it’s the spark for what is likely to be a Kiwis victory.

58’ - Nicoll-Klokstad has now thrown a bullet of a pass and chipped a beauty over the top for McLean to score. What can’t he do?

Stats Watch: Kini has 278 running metres to his name with 20 minutes still to play…

64’ - We can stick a fork in this one…

McLean has four. A Robert Derby consolation try won’t be enough to inspire a comeback from here. The quality of the Kiwis, Johnson, in particular, has been the difference since the late stages of the first half.

The Kumuls haven’t been short in the physical battle. They’d do well in a slower arm-wrestle-style game. However, the Kiwis have found another gear for long enough periods to show their class.

Excitement for a Samoa, Tonga and Kiwis series next year is already building. This is what International Rugby League should be like every year... Build it, and they will come.

— Rugby League Writers (@rugbyleaguewriters.bsky.social) November 10, 2024 at 10:01 PM

80’ - The Kiwis do it easy in the end.

Casy McLean has played out a dream international rugby league debut with four tries. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Shaun Johnson bows out of rugby league with five try assists in his finale.

The Kumuls were allowed to dream for a moment. Their first 30 minutes were deserving of a close contest, if not a halftime lead. However, the Kiwis found another gear shortly before the break and cranked through them to pile up 54 points by the end.

It’s not the campaign the Kiwis will have hoped for, but the likes of Kiwi and McLean will benefit from the opportunity ahead of what will be an incredible 2025 Pacific Championship in 12 months.

Kangaroos 20 - 14 Tonga XIII

6’ - Boy, what an opening few minutes…

The crowd is incredible. The sea of red is in full voice already. On the field, their team is rolling up the field. They’re winning the field position battle and look in control. However, it’s only taken one or two moments to see the danger of the Kangaroos attack.

First points will be huge.

7’ - First points, Tonga!

17’ - The Kangaroos only need a second.

Katoa’s kick goes slightly long for the Kangaroos to generate momentum from a 20-metre restart. With it, they find a mismatch with Tom Dearden in space with Addin Fonua-Blake in front of him. Paul Alamoti effort to jam is out of desperation and Dearden makes him pay.

Tonga have dominated the opening exchanges but Australia are never far from points.

27’ - Here come the Kangaroos…

They’ve weathered the storm while only conceding one try and played themselves right into this one. They’re not content with keeping things simple and wearing Tonga down, either. They’ve run it on the last down the shortside for Xavier Coates to score in the corner.

31’ - Kangaroos run it on the last down the short side again, but only for a turnover this time. It might be a ploy to limit Tonga’s yardage game. Force them to work from out of the corner and push the Tongan ball-carriers into a thick defensive line.

38’ - Tom Dearden is having a blinder.

Dylan Edwards set the tone for the set before Zac Lomax played on the back of it. He picked out Isaiya Katoa in the line. With the Tongan forwards struggling to get back, Dearen picked out some tired legs to skip through the line and send Tom Trbojevic over.

They’ve hit their straps now, the Kangaroos.

It’s crucial that Tonga don’t concede again before oranges.

Halftime - Tonga held on before halftime. Just…

It took an incredible try-saver by Lehi Hopoate to keep Tonga within 10 points at halftime.

Tonga dominated early. They cruised up the field and cleared the advantage line with ease. However, as fatigue has come into the game, and the Kangaroos have been presented with a handful of opportunities, and they never need many.

44’ - Tom Trbojevic was denied before the break but not this time.

Another positive Dearden play turns into points. He spotted Paul Alamoti in strife on the wing and went straight down that edge. Harry Grant’s work out of dummy half created the linebreak and Dearden finished it with an inside pass to a trailing Trbojevic.

Injury in the line or not, the Kangaroos are finding a lot of success attacking through their right edge.

55’ - Tonga had their chance following a Sione Katoa intercept. He couldn’t make it to the line and Isaiya Katoa fluffed the catch on the shift. Could that be it? They feel one try away from making a real game of this, but the Kangaroos are looking just as threatening. One more for Australia and that could well be it.

Alamoti won’t be back. Tonga is playing with a makeshift backline as it is. Still, we’ve got the Fonua-Blake and Taumalolo late shift to come…

60’ - Here they come…

Please, Rugby League Gods.

Let only one try to separate these two heading into the final 10 minutes.

73’ - Tonga is running out of time, but not fight. They’ve gone close once and have another chance here. Execution while attacking in good ball has let them down up to this point.

74’ - The Rugby League Gods have answered!

Eli Katoa takes a short ball and somehow gets it to the ground through a crowd of Kangaroos defenders.

80’ - The Kangaroos hold on…

They’re the benchmark of international rugby league and Pacific Champions. Tom Dearden is the Man of the Match thanks to his first half performance. He led the way for the Kangaroos while they played at their best. They weathered an early storm and allowed their quality and cohesion to shine through in the end.

The final 20-14 result is a testament to Tonga and international rugby league, though. They’ve further proven the value of international footy and applied more pressure on the decision-makers to find a way to maximise it.

Jillaroos 24 - 4 Kiwi Ferns

5’ - There might be a few nerves in the two teams to start this one. Both have played out awful end-of-sets throughout the early stages. Ferns barely get a kick away while the Jillaroos scramble for one off the side of the boot.

10’ - First points to the Jillaroos through Julia Robinson.

It’s a well-crafted action designed to get the ball into the hands of their three best players. Tarryn Aiken’s drop play to Isabelle Kelly enaged three defenders and scrambled the Ferns line. It allowed Aiken and Tamika Upton to set up down the shortside against a flat-footed defensive line.

A Kelly carry into Upton, Aiken and Robinson. They couldn’t have drawn it up better.

16’ - Kelly scores this time, but it’s Aiken again with her fingerprints all over it. She’s doing a superb of engaging the Ferns’ four-in defender and putting this dangerous left edge into strong attacking positions.

Two missed kicks keep the Ferns within touching distance despite Australia’s early dominance.

32’ - Take a bow, Ali Brigginshaw.

Playing in her 25th game for the Jillaroos, she’s showing her quality in the one. A 40/30 put Australia hot on the attack before Tiana Penitani crashed over to make it 12-0.

Halftime - It’s looking a lot like the first game between these two at the moment. The Ferns are hanging in there. They’re showing glimpses. However, Australia’s quality and cohesion is proving the difference. Aiken and Brigginshaw, in particular, are getting the Jillaroos around the field for Upton, Kelly, Penitani and company to cause havoc.

An early try out of the break can play the Ferns into the game, but conceding another might end it.

40’ - The Ferns already look a lot better but can’t afford to waste opportunities. They’ve made one error in good ball already after halftime but are in better positions.

42’ - Shortly after the Ferns’ second error attacking the line, the Jillaroos take their chance to score…

It’s an ugly finish to the set. There is certainly some luck involved. Nonetheless, the ball bounces for Upton to collect her own grubber for an 18-0 lead.

The Ferns have shown glimpses of an expansive style of play. We will need to see more of it soon if they’re to mount a comeback.

50’ - Give her the Golden Boot.

Tarryn Aiken is a cut above among halves in the women’s game right now.

70’ - The Ferns find points late, but the Jillaroos always looked like the better team in this one. The quality of their spine positions stood out on the platform laid by Mille Elliott and Shannon Mato and allowed them to make the most of the outside backs.

Aiken is the Golden Boot favourite, while Brigginshaw always produces a moment in every game. As usual, Georgia Hale’s work rate for the Ferns impressed as she once again led the match in tackles.

The Jillaroos are the best team in women’s rugby league and proved as much in this one.

Papua New Guinea Orchids 12 - 34 Fetu Samoa

9’ - The Orchids will need to be close to perfect if they’re to cause an upset in this one. They impressed in the early exchanges. Elsie Albert looks typically dangerous. However, they were made to pay for a second error in their own end, which allowed Sienna Lofipo to put Mercedez Taulelei-Siala over in the corner. Lofipo spotted the extra number down the shortside with a touch of class to create the first try of the day. Orchids need an error-free 10 minutes to play themselves into the game here.

20’ - Pauline Piliae-Rasabale goes bang, bang!

The veteran halfback might have put this game to bed in the space of two minutes. First, she threw a beautiful cutout pass to beat the jamming defender for Jasmine Fogavini to score on debut.

Two minutes later, she appeared to have scored before the Bunker spotted a knock-on.

The game is still alive!

30’ - How did the Orchids not score?!? They’re threatening but can’t find the points right now. If they’re not going to score, it’s crucial that they keep the score at 10-0 through to halftime.

Halftime - A horror end to the half for the Orchids is Fetu Samoa’s gain.

A poor clearance and kick chase allowed Jetaya Faifua to return it to the house shortly before the break. I’ve seen her play a lot of halfback at Q Cup level but not a lot of fullback. She certainly looks the part, though.

It’s a killer try for the Orchids to concede. Every step they take forward, an error or poor moment in defence takes them two steps back and 16 points behind at the break.

41’ - It’s all looking a little bit too familiar for the Orchids out of the break. One good moment with the ball is backed up with some scrambling defence, but they’re constantly under pressure and crack in the end. A Lindsay Tui try (ruled to be a possible eight-point try) pushes Samoa’s lead out to 22-0.

48’ - Who else for the Orchids?

Elsie Albert scored their first points of the Pacific Championships, scoring a well-deserved try.

They’ve not shown enough to suggest we’re in for a comeback and exciting finish, but Papua New Guinea deserve to end the game well. This has been a significant improvement on their first game of the Pacific Championships.

56’ - It’s going to be tough going from here for the Orchids. They’ve lost Sera Koroi to a sendoff…

70 - Fetu Samoa take the chocolates with enough touches of class to pile up points despite 13 errors. They’ve done what they came to do and qualified for the Rugby League World Cup.

Meanwhile, the Orchids will be feeling fairly optimistic about their performance. An Albert double got them on the board. They defended well throughout the match and continued to do so once Koroi had been given her marching orders. They’re a few steps behind the rest of the competition, but they’ve shown an impressive amount of improvement on their first game and will continue to do so moving forward.

Papua New Guinea Orchids v Fetu Samoa Stats & Highlights