Rugby League

The Samoans narrowly lost to the Kiwis on Sunday as they kicked-off their Pacific Championships campaign at Auckland's Go Media Stadium.

The Cook Islands women claimed seven tries against the Orchids' one, storming to their opening victory in their Pacific Championships Bowl campaign with a 34-6 victory.

Men's and women's teams prepare for opening matches across PNG and New Zealand.

Fiji scored a total of eight tries in their opening Pacific Championships Bowl rugby league clash.

The red-and-blacks have won more provincial titles than anyone else, since the competition was revamped in 2006.

Rugby league fans were out in full force to meet the Toa Samoa, Fetu Samoa and Kiwis players at the special Fans Day on Tuesday at Auckland's Mt Albert Rugby League Club. Audio

Payne Haas has delivered a boost to Samoa and a blow to Australia ahead of the Rugby League World Cup, confirming his change of allegiance to the Pacific nation.

The forrmer Mate Ma'a Tonga player has revealed he wants to have another shot with the Tongan national rugby league team.

Their strong 6-2 run through nine rounds is still a long way short of outright club history.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad recently marked 50 games with the Warriors.

Cook Islands Rugby League president says the dream has always been to compete at the greatest stage of Rugby League World Cup.

The 21-year-old Warriors front-rower said it was a tough decision, but it was "time to give back" to his parents.

James Fisher-Harris is calling for the return of his stolen premiership winning boots, which he had donated.

For decades, there was an understood hierarchy in men's rugby league that went something like: Australia, New Zealand, England, a bit of daylight, then everyone else.

Samoa women's rugby league team head coach Jamie Soward says: "The dream of Fetu Samoa lifting a World Cup trophy is certainly real."

The Tonga XIII co-captain said they are all set to once again play for their fans and families in the Pacific Championships Cup final.

Kristian Woolf is confident the Tongans can live up to the standard required against the Australian Kangaroos in the Pacific Championships Cup final.

That is the message Tonga XIII head coach Kristian Woolf has given his warriors as they prepare to meet the champion Australia Kangaroos in Sydney on Sunday.

Australia, Tonga, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Samoa are all in action on Sunday.

Samoan fans, among the 2000-odd crowd celebrated as the 2024 women's Pacific Bowls final came to an end.