NRL 2024 recap: Pacific Championship standings after week one

The Kangaroos can secure a place in the Pacific Cup final by avenging last year’s defeat to New Zealand next Sunday, while Fetu Samoa are one win away from a World Cup place.

These were the highlights of the first round of Pacific Championship matches, with the Kangaroos beating Tonga 18-0, the Jillaroos recording a record 84-0 win over PNG Orchids, the Kumuls beating Fiji Bati and Fetu Samoa” defeated Tonga.

New look Mala Meninga Australia were forced to battle hard against Tonga, but victory in Christchurch over the New Zealanders will confirm a place in the final at CommBank Stadium on November 10.

Given what’s at stake, Meninga is reluctant to make unforced changes to a team that led Tonga 6-0 at half-time and also pushed out their opponents in the second half, meaning some members of the squad may not get the game in the tournament.

“We’ll make some decisions over the next few days, but when we talk about the team and it’s such a new team and it’s our first time together, it will probably make us think seriously about playing again and playing better. continuity in our football team,” Meninga said.

If Australia win, New Zealand, who inflicted a record 30-0 defeat on the Kangaroos in last year’s Pacific Cup decider, and Tonga will have to battle it out in Auckland on November 2 for the other place in the final.

The Jillaroes are in a similar position after a big win over the Orchids and will also be looking to avenge their first defeat since 2016 to the Kiwi Ferns in Melbourne last year when they meet in Christchurch on Sunday.

The Kiwi Ferns travel to Papua New Guinea to play the Orchids next week in a Pacific Bowl doubleheader between Kumuls and Cook Islands Aitu.

The Kumuls proved too strong for Fiji as they confirmed their victory in last year’s Pacific Bowl final and are now eyeing a place in the promotion-relegation play-offs against the third-placed team in the Pacific Cup in Sydney on November 10.

Bati need to beat Cook Islands in Suva on Saturday night and hope Aitu beat PNG next weekend and then battle the pros and cons to then decide the Pacific Cup.

Fetu Samoa will also sit back and watch as Fiji Bulikula and Moana of the Cook Islands battle it out on Saturday for second place in the World Cup qualifying final after beating Tonga 30-16.

The winner of the Fiji-Cook Islands Test in Suva will travel to Auckland to play Fetu at Go Media Stadium on November 2, where a World Cup berth will be up for grabs.

Tonga and the loser of Saturday night’s Test at HFC Stadium are out of contention, but runners-up Auckland will take part in the 2025 World Series to determine the eighth and final spot at RLWC2026.

The winner in Auckland will also play the third-placed team in the Pacific Cup at CommBank Stadium on November 10 for a chance of promotion to the top flight next year.

Snapshot

Pacific Cup (men)

• Australia can secure a place in the final if they beat the Kiwis next week.
• If the Kangaroos win, Tonga and New Zealand will battle it out in week three for the other finals spot.
• If the Kiwis win, Tonga will need to win in Auckland to avoid a relegation match.

Pacific Bowl (men)

• The Kumuls can secure a place in the final and a chance of promotion if they beat the Cook Islands in week three.
• Fiji must beat the Cook Islands in week two and hope Aitu beats PNG or Bati finishes with a better for and against record.

Pacific Cup (women)

• The Jillaroos can secure their place in the finals if they beat the Kiwi Ferns next week.
• The Orchids need to beat New Zealand in week three to avoid the relegation play-offs.

Pacific Bowl (women)

• Fetu Samoa will play for a spot at the World Cup in Auckland on November 2.
• Tonga is eliminated.
• Fiji Bulikula will host Moana of the Cook Islands on Saturday to determine the other team in the final against Samoa. The loser is eliminated.
• The winner in Auckland will also play in the promotion-relegation play-off in Sydney on November 10 against the third-place Pacific Bowl team.

Kangaroo vs Tonga XIII

Fiji Bati – PNG Kumuls

Jillaros vs orchids PNG

Tonga XIII v Fetu Samoa

• Report: Samoa beat Tonga to keep World Cup dream alive
• Injuries: Lithia Fusi (head blow), Danny Perese (facial injury)
• Judicial branch: Pani Hopoate (Tonga) – Dangerous throw 1st degree – 1st violation – Early announcement – ​​Warning; Guilty at the panel – disqualification for 1 match.
  Manilita Takapautolo (Tonga) – Dangerous throw 1st degree – 1st violation – Early declaration – Warning; Guilty at the panel – disqualification for 1 match