The Wrap: Samoa eye Kiwi ambush in Pacific Championships return

The 2025 Pacific Championships are off to a stunning start with the Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns pushed to the limit by Samoa before coming up trumps while Fiji Bati and Cook Islands Moana also savoured first-up victories.

The men’s and women’s Pacific Bowl tournaments are being played over three consecutive weekends at Santos Stadium in Port Moresby and it was the Fiji Bati who struck the first blow with a 44-24 win over Cook Islands.

Wests Tigers flyer Bula ran for 173 metres and broke nine tackles on his way to a four-try haul in the Bati's 20-point victory.

The women's Bowl tournament began with Chantay Kiria-Ratu steering Cook Islands to a convincing win over the PNG Orchids.

On Sunday it was the Pacific Cup roaring into action in Auckland with the hometown Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns emerging victorious after two enthralling contests.

Kiwis five-eighth Dylan Brown and Fetu Samoa debutante Shalom Sauaso were the stars of the show while Mele Hufanga came up with the match-winning try for the Kiwi Ferns.

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After trailing 20-0 at half-time and staring down the barrel of their first ever loss to any team besides the Jillaroos, Ricky Henry's team dug deep and their class told in the end.

The Kiwi Ferns now have a week off before meeting arch-rivals Australia in an Eden Park showdown on November 2.

The Jillaroos are the defending Pacific Cup champions as are their male counterparts, but the Kangaroos are missing this year's tournament as they take on England in the Ashes.

That clears the path for Samoa, Tonga and New Zealand to stage a battle royale for supremacy.

The fast and furious action across the next three weekends takes us to CommBank Stadium on Sunday, November 9 for the Pacific Cup finals.

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Pacific Championships Week 1

Bowl: Fiji Bati 44 beat Cook Islands Aitu 24 at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby