LeagueNews.co | Robbie Hamilton
The Australian Rugby League Commission has unveiled plans for a Pacific Championships event, featuring both men's and women's matches, set to take place later this year.
In a bid to promote and develop Rugby League in the Pacific, the Commission has formed a partnership with the Australian Government.
This collaboration will ensure that the matches can be played in the Pacific, allowing players to showcase their skills in front of their local fans.
The 2023 tournament will involve six men's teams and seven women's teams, split across two pools, with the action kicking off on October 14.
The men's tournament will conclude with finals held in Hamilton, New Zealand, and Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on November 4-5.
The Pacific Championships will span across two match days in Australia, two in New Zealand, and four in Papua New Guinea.
This exciting event will be held in both 2023 and 2024, following the conclusion of the NRL and NRLW Premiership seasons, and will feature teams from Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Cook Islands.