Quartet of rugby league tests set for Auckland
Photo:
Photosport
Auckland will host both the Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns in two blockbuster double header weekends later this year.
The annual Pacific Championships will see a double-header between the Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns and Toa Samoa and Fetu Samoa respectively at Tāmaki Makaurau's Go Media Stadium on Sunday 19 October.
Then, on Sunday 2 November, Eden Park will host the Kiwi Ferns taking on the Australian Jillaroos before the Kiwis face Tonga.
NZRL chief executive Greg Peters said rugby league test matches did not get much better than these Pacific clashes.
"We know the staunchly proud Tongan and Samoan fans especially will come out in force, celebrating their teams and culture in what will be unmissable matches. With the growth of the women's game too, having the Kiwi Ferns back in Auckland for two matches this year, where they have a strong supporter base, is pivotal in inspiring the next generation of female fans and young players in the game."
Set against a near sell-out crowd last year, Pacific rivals Tonga took down the Kiwis in a thrilling match 25-24.
With current champions the Australian Kangaroos heading to the Northern Hemisphere, the title is up for grabs, and the Kiwis will be wanting to lift the trophy again after winning the inaugural championships in 2023.
The Kiwi Ferns too will be looking to claim back their 2023 title, a series that saw them defeat the Australian Jillaroos for the first time in seven years.
Those heroics couldn't be repeated last year, going down in the final 24-4 to the Jillaroos.
The match-up against Fetu Samoa will however offer the Kiwi Ferns a new test, having not played Samoa since 2020.
The Pacific Championships features two tiers - the Pacific Cup and the Pacific Bowl - with the competing nations going head-to-head in a round robin format before the top two teams in each tier head to the finals, to be played again at CommBank Stadium in Sydney, Australia.
Sunday 19 October
Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Kiwi Ferns vs Fetu Samoa
Kiwis vs Toa Samoa
Sunday 2 November
Eden Park, Auckland
Kiwi Ferns vs Australian Jillaroos
Kiwis vs Tonga
Sunday 9 November
CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Grand Finals, men's and women's
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