The Pacific Championships are in full swing and we are back in Port Moresby for another rollicking double-header on Saturday with local heroes the Kumuls making their first appearance of the tournament.
Under the astute guidance of Jason Demetriou, the Kumuls will be primed for a huge showing against Cook Islands, who are smarting after a first-up loss to the Bati.
In the first game of the day it’s the Cook Islands Moana chasing back-to-back victories when they meet the Tonga XIII in a contest that promises to be full of passion and physicality.
Follow all the Pacific Championships action on NRL.com’s live blog.
Women’s Pacific Bowl: Cook Islands v Tonga XIII
51st minute: After putting in the hard yards to pull within two, Tonga have repeated the errors they made in the first half and made multiple errors to release the pressure valve. Cook Islands received a sustained period in attacking territory as a result and they eventually capitalised through hard-running forward Kerehitina Matua. The Moana lead is back beyond a converted try midway through the second half. Moana 28 – Tonga 20.
43rd minute: This game has plenty more twists and turns left in it. A penalty handed Tonga another attacking opportunity and they’ve have capitalised to make it two tries in the space of three minutes and pull within two. Moana Courtenay was the try-scorer, the winger winning the race to a grubber to ground the ball. Moana 22 – Tonga 20.
40th minute: Tonga needed a response and they have immediately hit back. A Cook Islands gave Tonga an attacking opportunity and Seli Mailangi took advantage of some tired marker defence to throw a dummy and burrow her way over the line. It’s a six-point match and it’s game one in Port Moresby. Moana 22 – Tonga 16.
Kick-off: We are back for the second half and it’s a dream start for Cook Islands. Chantay Kiria-Ratu placed the kick-off perfectly, Tonga let it hit the deck and it bounced over the dead ball line. The Moana promptly made the most of the subsequent line dropout, with Ngatokotoru Arakua charging over for a big try in the opening minutes of the second half. Moana 22 – Tonga 10
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Paulina Morris-Ponga Try
Half-time: Cook Islands have finished the first half with a flurry and they have delivered a big blow with Paulina Morris-Ponga scoring in the corner as the half-time siren sounded. The winger was denied earlier in the half, but this time she did just enough to beat the defender and get the ball over the line. Tongan coach Meg Ward will be disappointed with the way her side finished the half after they dominated the first 10 minutes of the contest. Moana 16 – Tonga 10
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Jazmon Tupou-Witchman Try
32nd minute: The pressure proved too great, with Jazmon Tupou-Witchman charging through the front door to crash over from close range and score between the posts. It’s been an excellent response from the Moana, who were shell-shocked early and trailed 10-0 after nine minutes. They have slowly worked their way back into the game and now lead with three minutes remaining in the first half. Moana 12 – Tonga 10.
29th minute: Cook Islands are building pressure now, with the Moana starting to win the battle through the middle. They look to have the Tongan defence stretched, with Kiana Takairangi putting the ball on the toe and forcing a line drop out. Moana 6 – Tonga 10.
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Deleni Paitai Try
22nd minute: This time there’s no denying the Moana. A Tonga error put them on the attack and they eventually capitalised. Cook Islands ran the ball on the last, with debutant Deleni Paitai produced a powerful fend to bump off the defender and slam the ball down. Moana 6 – Tonga 10.
18th minute: The Cook Islands have come agonisingly close to scoring for a second try, but this time the Bunker has denied them. Chantay Kiria-Ratu identified space in the in goal, produced a grubber for Kaiyah Atai, who raced through and grounded the ball on the dead ball line. The ball just kept rolling away from Atai rather than sitting up and that ultimately cost the Moana in the end. Moana 0 – Tonga 10.
15th minute: Tonga are scoring tries at one end and saving tries at the other. Paulina Morris-Ponga looked certain to score in the corner bbefore came across in cover defence to knock the ball free with a desperation tackle. Moana 0 – Tonga 10.
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Simina Lokotui Try
11th minute: We have just seen one of the tries of the year and Tonga have gone back-to-back. The Tongans rolled down the field in the set after points before Emmanita Paki produced a pinpoint cross-field kick to winger Simina Lokotui, who caught the ball on the run, stepped past her opposite winger and scored the try. Moana 0 – Tonga 10
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Emmanita Paki Try
8th minute: It’s been an intense start to the game, with both teams trading sets in hot and windy conditions. Tonga generated the first opportunity, with Meg Ward’s side earning a penalty and set to go on the attack. Tonga made the most of it, with Kalosipani Hopoate bursting through the defensive line. The prop was eventually dragged down, but halfback Emmanita Paki capitalised on retreating defence to throw a dummy and slice straight through. Moana 0 – Tonga 6
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A beautiful response from the Tonga XIII
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Powerful Pe’e from the Moana
Kick-off: The Cook Islands have completed the Pe’e before Tonga responded with a hymn. The Moana can claim the Pacific Bowl with a win after they defeated Papua New Guinea last week, while Tonga are looking to open their campaign on a positive note after having the bye last week. Tonga have kicked off and we are underway in Port Moresby. Moana 0 – Tonga 0.
Stat Attack
- The Moana have 56 games in Test experience compared with 17 for Tonga.
- Tonga have greater NRLW experience (15 players and 210 games compared to 10 players and 127 games)
- Cook Islands are aiming for back-to-back Test wins for the first time.
- The Tongan women’s team only international success was against Niue in 2020.
Late Mail
Moana: A change in the centres with Keira Rangi coming in for her Test debut with Kiarah Siauane moving to the wing and Hannah Makira dropping out. Debutante Porche John and Jodeci Joseph are the new faces on the bench with Memory Paitai moving to 18th player and April Ngatupuna dropping to the reserves. No changes in Saturday’s final team update, with Paitai remaining the 18th player.
Tonga XIII: Natasha Penitani and Pani Hopoate will show the way up front for Tonga in their opening match while second-rower Shannon Muru will also offer plenty of go-forward. Bulldogs backs Moana Courtenay and Simina Lokotui make their Test debuts along with Newcastle’s Fane Finau, Parramatta’s Martha Mataele and playmaker Malia Tuifua, who will partner Emmanita Paki in the halves. Test debuts as well for Kaylani Tavita, Tatiana Finau and Iunisi-Ruby Smith-Tufulele-Fifita. A late change to the team on game day, with Manalita Takapautolo dropping out of the squad. Tatiana Finau comes into the back row, with Pauline Suli-Ruka added to the bench.
Men’s Pacific Bowl: PNG Kumuls v Cook Islands Aitu
