The demise of rugby league on the international stage in recent years was expected to kill off the game in the Pacific Islands. But not only has that theory been proven wrong, the island nations have made a strong case to the Rugby League International Federation after another memorable Pacific Cup held in Auckland.

This year’s tournament was one of the most evenly contested contests in the twenty year history of the competition. Had Samoa included their overseas based players and Tokelau given more time to put a proper team together, the final result may have been even more interesting.

As it unfolded, Tonga were emphatic winners beating Fiji Bati 22-4 in the final held at Waitemata Rugby Park in west Auckland. But just seeing those two teams contesting the final was a victory for supporters of the international game.

Cook Islands and New Zealand Maori, the finalists from the 2004 Pacific Cup were surprisingly relegated to the playoff game for third and fourth.

Fiji Bati were by far the tournament’s most improved team surprising many with their huge 40-18 upset win over 2004 champions Cook Islands which propelled them into the grand final. The Bati also accounted for past Pacific Cup champions Toa Samoa in the first round.

Tonga won their way into the final with huge wins over Tokelau 64-0 and New Zealand Maori 42-14. In the final, Tonga’s superior experience and massive forward pack led by former Warrior Willie Wolfgram, was enough to quell the unpredictable Fijians whose mix of attacking flair and speed had overwhelmed Cook Islands and Samoa.

Fiji has come along way since winning the bowl at the previous Pacific Cup two years ago. It did not have the big name players that Tonga could muster from its substantial pool of players based in Australia and New Zealand. But a strong domestic competition and careful attention to local development had improved their players.

The majority of Fiji’s team were converts from rugby union and they were still adjusting to the different rules. Fiji were perhaps the best prepared team heading into the Pacific Cup with a short tour of Australia and plenty of warm up games lined up in the preceding months.

The Pacific Cup 2006 winners Tonga are all smiles after notching another victory in the tournament. (Photo: Tuifa’asisina Peter Rees)
 

The Cook Islands team were the Pacific Cup winners in 2004 but finished fourth this year.
(Photo: Tuifa’asisina Peter Rees)
 

The Toa Samoa team which comprised entirely of local players from Samoa finished last.
(Photo: Tuifa’asisina Peter Rees)

Copyright Event Polynesia Ltd. 2005