Pacific rugby league pride will take centre stage in Brisbane on Sunday 26 October 2025 when Tonga XIII and Toa Samoa face off in a crucial Pacific Championships fixture at Suncorp Stadium. The long-time rivals meet at 3:00 pm AEST in a match that will shape the Pacific Championship standings and reinforce each nation’s status among the region’s rugby league heavyweights.
Pivotal Match
The Round 2 contest comes at a pivotal point in the Pacific Cup, with both teams seeking momentum in the three-nation competition that also includes New Zealand. Tonga enter the match with a settled squad and a forward pack built around co-captain Jason Taumalolo, while Samoa are navigating a challenging week following injuries from their opening-round loss to the Kiwis. Coach Ben Gardiner’s side lost Ata Mariota, Jazz Tevaga and Jaydn Su’A to concussion protocols after the Auckland match, leaving the team with limited options in the forwards and several depth players elevated into key roles.
Tournament context
The 2025 Pacific Championships feature the region’s leading men’s and women’s teams competing across Cup and Bowl divisions. For Tonga and Samoa, the Cup tournament offers a direct path to the final in Sydney on 9 November, with only the top two teams from the round-robin stage advancing. The Brisbane fixture is one of the highest-profile matches on this year’s schedule, part of the NRL’s broader effort to build international rugby league ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Key players to watch
Tonga’s hopes rest heavily on their experienced pack led by Jason Taumalolo, with fellow forwards Stefano Utoikamanu and Eliesa Katoa providing size and impact. The backline includes Daniel Tupou, who is set to equal Tui Lolohea’s record of 22 Tests for Tonga, underscoring the level of experience within Kristian Woolf’s squad. For Samoa, Payne Haas will lead the charge up front in front of his home-state fans, supported by Junior Paulo and Josh Papalii. Chanel Harris-Tavita is expected to play a key role in the spine as Samoa look to generate continuity following a disrupted build-up.
Historical note
Meetings between Tonga and Samoa have become among the most anticipated fixtures in international rugby league. Their rivalry combines elite-level talent with deep cultural meaning, and recent encounters have been defined by physical intensity and high emotion. The two sides last met at the 2022 Rugby League World Cup in England, where Samoa prevailed 20-8 in the quarter-final at Warrington. That result ended Tonga’s run at the tournament and propelled Samoa toward their eventual appearance in the final against Australia. With both sides now fielding squads stacked with NRL talent, this latest meeting continues a rivalry that reflects the growing strength of Pacific nations in the international game.
The Tonga–Samoa Pacific Cup fixture will be played on Sunday 26 October 2025, kicking off at 3:00 pm AEST at Suncorp Stadium. The match will be broadcast live on Fox League and available for streaming via Kayo Sports.
Published 24-October-2025
