LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The 2023 Pacific Championships, a highly anticipated event in the rugby league calendar, will feature six nations in the men's tournament and seven nations in the women's tournament.
The men's competition will see World Cup champions Australia, New Zealand, Toa Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea battle it out for the prestigious title.
The tournament will kick off in Townsville, Australia, on Saturday.
The women's tournament will include Australia, the Kiwi Ferns, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, and Cook Islands.
This exciting event aims to promote the international elite game and create a dedicated window for showcasing the talent of these nations.
The Pacific Championships are part of a long-term strategy by the ARLC (Australian Rugby League Commission) to grow the sport and increase cultural competency within the game and its fan base.
By providing a platform for players to represent their respective nations, the championships encourage national pride and strengthen the bonds between players and their communities.
In the men's competition, there will be two pools, with the top three nations competing for the Pacific Cup and the remaining three nations battling it out for the Pacific Bowl.
Each team will face off against each other once, and the top two ranked teams from each pool will advance to the respective final.
With matches taking place in three different countries over four weeks, the 2023 Pacific Championships promise to be a thrilling display of rugby league prowess.
Fans can expect intense competition, passionate performances, and a celebration of Pacific Island culture.