Pacific Championship Rugby League: NZ Kiwis vs Toa Samoa Men's Final
The New Zealand Kiwis and Toa Samoa face off again in a highly anticipated match. The Kiwis narrowly won their last encounter three weeks ago, prevailing 24-18 at Go Media Stadium.
Match Details
- Kickoff: 6:05pm Sunday, 9 November
- Venue: Go Media Stadium
Head-to-Head Record
Toa Samoa have yet to defeat the NZ Kiwis in six meetings, although they came close in recent matches. Their last game saw Samoa miss multiple prime scoring chances in the final 10 minutes, ultimately falling short.
Samoa "probably should have won their last meeting three weeks ago, when they bombed at least two prime scoring opportunities in the final 10 minutes of a 24-18 defeat at Go Media Stadium."
In 2014, New Zealand needed a late try by Shaun Kenny-Dowall to edge out Samoa 14-12 in Whangārei, on their way to winning the Four Nations title.
Significant Past Results
- In the 2023 Pacific Championships, NZ Kiwis dominated with a 50-0 victory.
- Wingers Jamayne Isaako and Ronaldo Mulitalo scored two tries each in that match, with Isaako converting seven of nine tries.
Rivalry Evolution
The rivalry has gained depth as more top players represent their Pacific heritage. Traditionally viewed as warm-up opponents, Samoa have grown into serious contenders on the global stage.
"The Samoans really announced themselves as bona fide contenders on the world stage, reaching the final of the 2022 Rugby League World Cup."
At that tournament, Samoa delivered a shock by defeating England 27-26 in the semifinals but fell to Australia 30-10 in the final.
Summary
This final highlights a growing competition as Samoa continues pushing the NZ Kiwis, turning the matchup into a fiercely contested rivalry with rising stakes.
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