Pacific Championship Rugby League: NZ Kiwis vs Toa Samoa Men's Final
Match Overview
The New Zealand Kiwis and Toa Samoa face off Sunday, 9 November, at 6:05 pm in the Pacific Championship men’s final. They last met three weeks ago in a close contest at Go Media Stadium, where New Zealand narrowly won 24-18.
Historical Head-to-Head
- Toa Samoa has never defeated the NZ Kiwis in six previous encounters.
- In recent matches, Samoa came close to winning but missed key scoring chances in the final 10 minutes of their last game.
- In 2014, New Zealand edged Samoa 14-12 in Whangārei, with a decisive late try by Shaun Kenny-Dowall en route to their Four Nations championship.
- The Kiwis have also secured some large victories, including a 50-0 rout of Samoa in the 2023 Pacific Championships, featuring standout performances by Jamayne Isaako and Ronaldo Mulitalo.
Significance of the Rivalry
Historically, Samoa often served as warm-up opponents for major rugby league teams. However, the movement of elite players to represent their Pacific heritage has intensified this rivalry.
The Samoans gained worldwide recognition as serious contenders when they reached the final of the 2022 Rugby League World Cup — defeating England 27-26 in the semifinals but ultimately losing 30-10 to Australia in the final.
Current Outlook
With Samoa’s growing rugby league stature, especially following their strong 2022 World Cup performance, their clash with New Zealand is now a highlight of the Pacific Championship season, reflecting increasing competitiveness and pride.
Author’s summary: The NZ Kiwis and Toa Samoa rivalry is intensifying as Samoa’s rugby league rise challenges New Zealand’s historical dominance, making their upcoming final a must-watch.