LeagueNews.co | Robbie Hamilton
The inaugural Pacific Championships is set to be an exciting event in the rugby league calendar, taking place over four weeks in three different countries.
The tournament will feature World Cup champions Australia, New Zealand, Toa Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea in the men's competition.
The women's tournament will include Australia, the Kiwi Ferns, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, and Cook Islands.
The Pacific Championships is part of a long-term strategy by the ARLC to promote the international elite game and create a dedicated window for competition.
It aims to grow equity in the sport after the Grand Final and foster cultural competency among players and fans.
The tournament also encourages players to represent their respective nations.
In its first year, the Pacific Championships will consist of two pools in both the men's and women's matches, with seven competing nations.
The men's competition will feature the top three ranked nations competing against each other in the Pacific Cup, while the three lower-ranked nations will compete in the Pacific Bowl.
In the men's Cup and Bowl competitions, each team will play against each other once.
The top two ranked teams from each competition will advance to their respective finals, creating an intense and highly competitive atmosphere throughout the tournament.
Overall, the Pacific Championships promises to be a thrilling display of international rugby league, showcasing the talents of some of the best players from across the Pacific region.
With matches taking place in multiple countries and a diverse range of nations participating, it will undoubtedly be a celebration of the sport's global appeal and cultural significance.