The New Zealand Kiwis have defeated Toa Samoa 36-14 to secure the Pacific Championship for 2025.
The physicality was intense from the kick-off with both sides putting in some huge hits.
After 10 minutes into the contest Toa Samoa drew first blood when Jarome Luai set up Brian To’o to score in the corner and give Toa Samoa an early 6-0 lead with a converted try.
The Kiwis had opportunities to hit back and even the score but the Toa turned on some great defence saving at least three tries.
When the Kiwis thought they were finally in for their first try Simi Sasagi intercepted the last pass and took it 90 meters to give Samoa a 12-0 lead.
Despite the the try to Sasagi, New Zealand didn’t go away and instead continued to build pressure set restart after set restart.
Eventually the Samoan jerseys started to fatigue and led to Naufahu Whyte cutting through the Samoan defence to give New Zealand their first points.
The most talked about moment of the match that ended up being a big momentum shift in the scheme of things was when Deine Mariner was controversially denied a try on the brink of halftime.
The TMO ruled that there was insufficient evidence to overturn referee Ashley Kleins on field decision of no try.
Samoa still earned a penalty out of the situation which they converted into two points for a 14-6 halftime lead.
Toa Samoa came out of halftime energised and thought they were in for their third try before it was once again denied by the TMO.
It was from here where Samoa never looked the same. They committed penalty after penalty and allowed the kiwis to walk down the field on every set.
To make matters worse for Samoa was their injury count losing Murray Taulagi, Deine Mariner and Francis Molo throughout the course of the match.
The Kiwi’s were clinical as they went on to pile on 30 unanswered points in the second half to Samoa’s zero.
Both countries will now turn their attention to the 2026 Rugby League World Cup next year.
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- Brian To’o Dropped by Laurie Daley for State of Origin Decider - June 29, 2026
- Faatamaalii Jenny Lauano Appointed New CEO of Education and Culture - April 2, 2026
