Rugby League Planet - 2009 Pacific Cup

RUGBY LEAGUE PACIFIC CUP
RUGBY LEAGUE PACIFIC CUP OVERVIEW

Host Nation - Papua New Guinea

Number of Teams - 4 (Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands)

2009 Pacific Cup Snapshot - The 2009 Pacific Cup was a big improvement on past rugby league tournaments involving pacific nations. On the back of the growth of the international game and a successful 2008 World Cup the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) implemented a schedule that included ongoing international competitions for 2nd tier rugby league nations in the pacific. The new tournament saw the winner qualify as the 4th nation for the 2010 Four Nations held in the Southern Hemisphere involving Australia, England and New Zealand.

The RLIF announced that Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Fiji automatically qualified. The remaining two teams Samoa (Last place pacific team in 2008 World Cup) and the Cook Islands (Missed out on Qualifying for the 2008 World Cup) played each other in a Pacific Cup Qualifier. The qualifying game took place in Cairns, Australia on the 17th of October. Samoa went in as red hot favourites with a team full of NRL and Super League players. The Cook Islands team were massive underdogs but caused a major upset by defeating Samoa 22 - 20 in Cairns. A defeated Samoa were in shock as they were sent packing and missed out on qualifying for the Pacific Cup.

The Pacific Cup tournament took place in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea as a reward for their performance in the World Cup. The Competition ran over two weekends from the October 24th to November 1st. The tournament was configured in a knockout type format with two games being played on the first weekend. The winners of the two knockout games played each other the following weekend for the Pacific Cup title and a place in the 2010 Four Nations. The two losing teams played each other for ranking positions. The last place team will have to play a qualifier for the next Pacific Cup tournament scheduled for 2011.

The 2009 Pacific Cup tournament was a great success with some great rugby league on display from the pacific nations. In the first weekend the Cook Islands continued their giant killing run by defeating 2008 World Cup semi finalists Fiji 24 - 22 to book a place in the final. In the other game Papua New Guinea easily accounted for Tonga 44 - 14 and also booked a place in the final.

Week two saw Fiji restore some pride by defeating Tonga 26 - 16 in a play-off for 3rd place. Tonga were forced into qualifying for the 2011 Pacific Cup. The final saw PNG locals witness their home team run away with the game at a packed out Lloyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby. Papua New Guinea's win had double meaning as they also secured a place in the 2010 Four Nations series. The win to PNG also ended the fairytale ride for the Cook Islands.

2009 Rugby League Pacific Cup emblem

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RUGBY LEAGUE PACIFIC CUP MAP

2009 Rugby League Pacific Cup map

2009 PACIFIC CUP RUGBY LEAGUE NEWS
Somare applauds Kumuls - 4/11/09 www.thenational.com.pg
Kumuls soar - 3/11/09 www.thenational.com.pg
PNG SEAL FOUR NATIONS BERTH - 1/11/09 www.sportinglife.com
PNG win place in Four Nations - 1/11/09 www.dailytelegraph.com.au
Tongans join other Pacific nations in support of PNG - 31/10/09 www.fijitimes.com
Pacific Cup Final - Crunch time - 31/10/09 www.thenational.com.pg
Something's a-Cooking - 29/10/09 www.thenational.com.pg
Kumuls in final - 26/10/09 www.thenational.com.pg
Bati face tonga - 26/10/09 www.fijitimes.com
PNG upset Tonga to reach decider - 26/10/09 www.leaguehq.com.au
PNG thrash Tonga to reach Pacific Cup final - 26/10/09 www.dailytelegraph.com.au
Fiji Bati Captain disappointed - 25/10/09 www.fijivillage.com
COOK ON THE BRINK - 25/10/09 www.sportinglife.com
Cook Islands continue run of upsets - 24/10/09 www.theage.com.au
Pacific Nations to showcase attacking flair - 23/10/09 www.tvnz.co.nz
Bati players to wear black arm bands tomorrow - 23/10/09 www.fijivillage.com
Enter a new era for Pacific Nations - 23/10/09 www.thenational.com.pg
Biggest test - Teams arrive in PNG- 21/10/09 www.thenational.com.pg
Bati wary of Cooks - 21/10/09 www.fijitimes.com
Cook Islands shock win - 19/10/09 www.cairns.com.au
COOK ISLANDS SHOCK SAMOA - 18/10/09 www.sportinglife.com
Fiji Bati worried about first game - 17/10/09 www.fijisun.com.fj
Bati presents i-tatau, Wes confident - 17/10/09 www.fijidailypost.com
Islands take fight to Samoa - 17/10/09 www.cairns.com.au
Cook Islands on league mission - 16/10/09 www.cairns.com.au
Bati mentor set to unleash troops - 16/10/09 www.fijilive.com
Play to win, says Acting President - 16/10/09 www.fijisun.com.fj
Catch the Pacific Cup live on NRL.com - 14/10/09 www.nrl.com
Focus on Pacific Cup - 13/10/09 www.thenational.com.pg
Naiqama leads Fiji - 13/10/09 www.fijitimes.com
Ratu's dream to be a Bati - 13/10/09 www.fijitimes.com
Mateo to lead Tonga against NZ - 13/10/09 www.leaguehq.com.au
Kumuls named - 12/10/09 www.thenational.com.pg
100% effort - 10/10/09 www.thenational.com.pg
Bati aim at top 4 - 9/10/09 www.fijitimes.com
Mateo to headline Tonga's act in Test - 8/10/09 www.leaguehq.com.au
Tonga boast star power for Kiwis Test - 8/10/09 www.tvnz.co.nz
Kumuls prepare for Origin match - 8/10/09 www.thenational.com.pg
Poching names strong Samoan squad - 7/10/09 www.therhinos.co.uk
Roosters gain international stripes - 7/10/09 www.sydneyroosters.com.au
Saints duo make Samoa squad - 7/10/09 www.skysports.com
Bati in race against time - 7/10/09 www.fijitimes.com
Kumuls flock to Hagen - 6/10/09 www.thenational.com.pg
Bati in with a chance - 6/10/09 www.fijitimes.com
Flying Fijian chases Bati jumper - 30/9/09 www.fijitimes.com
Pace ace in demand - 29/9/09 www.fijitimes.com
Aussie Fijians to showcase talent - 29/9/09 www.fijitimes.com
Flyer Uate, Naiqama fly in for Pacific Cup - 26/9/09 www.fijitimes.com
Martin under fire - 24/9/09 www.thenational.com.pg
Hayne still in the frame - 24/9/09 www.fijitimes.com
Tests against big 3 - 24/9/09 www.fijitimes.com
SP Brewery to fly flag high in Pacific Cup - 24/9/09 www.thenational.com.pg
Po Ching selects final squad for Samoa - 25/8/09 www.samoaobserver.ws
Eden Park chasing cross-code double-header - 17/8/09 www.leaguehq.com.au
Pacific Cup announced - 29/7/09 www.australianrugbyleague.com.au
International clash booked - 27/7/09 www.cairns.com.au
Cash-strapped islanders wait for Colin to share love - 12/7/09 www.smh.com.au

2009 PACIFIC CUP SQUADS

Fiji

Iowane Divavesi, Osea Sadrau, Puna Rasaubale, Gock, Tevita Vatuvai, Hamilton Hughes, Sitiveni Ralogaivau, Lepani Waqa, Sevainaia Koroi, Alipate Tani, Ryan Millard, Wes Naiqama, Meli Koliavu, Mike Ratu jnr, Akuila Uate, Jo Ravueta, Kevin Naiqama, Jone Macilai, Kaliova Tani, Jone Wesele

Papua New Guinea

David Mead, Richard Kambo, Tu�u Maori, Keith Peters, Jay Aston, James Nightingale, Jason Chan, John Wilshere, Tyson Martin, Joe Bond (Internationals), Dion Aiye, Jessie Joe Parker, Rodney Pora, Sigfred Gande, Glen Nami, Charlie Wabo, Menzie Yere, Anton Kui (Residents)

Samoa

Patrick AH VAN (New Zealand Warriors), Jack AFAMASAGA (Cronulla Sharks), Paul CHAN-TUNG (Samoa), Harrison HANSEN (Wigan Warriors), Masada IOSEFA (Penrith Panthers), Kylie LEULUAI (Leeds Rhinos), Phillip LEULUAI (Salford Reds), Peter MATAUTIA (Newcastle Knights), Francis MELI (St Helens), Tanielu PASENE (Samoa), Tony PULETUA (St Helens), Joseph PAULO (Penrith Panthers), Tangi ROPATI (Samoa), Terence SEUSEU (Cronulla Sharks), Kyle STANLEY (St George Illawarra Dragons), Albert TALAPEAU (Brisbane Easts), Sam TAGATESE (Gold Coast Titans), Lepupa TAUALAGI (Samoa), Mark TAUFUA (Newcastle Knights), Misi TAULAPAPA (Cronulla Sharks)

Cook Islands

Tinirau CARONA (Penrith Panthers), Sam BRUNTON (Sydney Roosters), Geoff DANIELA (Panthers/Tigers), Daniel FEPULEAI (Shellharbour Dragons), John FORD (Newcastle Knights), Anthony GELLING (Sydney Roosters), Terry GLASSIE (Newtown Jets), AlexGLENN (Brisbane Broncos), Keith LULIA (Newcastle Knights), Fred MAKIMARE (Melbourne Storm), Joseph MATAPUKU (Bulldogs), Vinnie NGARO (North Sydney Bears), Leon PANAPA (Cook Islands), Dominique PEROUX (Gold Coast Titans), Brad TAKIRANGI (Cook Islands), Zane TETEVANO (Newcastle Knights), Manikura TIKINAU (Wests Tigers) Ben VAEAU (Brisbane Easts) John VIIGA (Cook Islands)

Tonga

Paki Afu, Richard Fa'aoso, Sam Huihahau, Toshio Laiseni, Tevita Leo-Latu, Epalahame Lauaki, Siuatonga Likiliki Pita Maile, Willie Manu, Viliami Mataka, Feleti Mateo, Eddie Paea, Nafe Seluini, Ukuma Ta'ai, Joel Taufa'ao, Sione Tovo, Etuate Uaisele, Siosia Vave, Atelea Vea, Tony Williams.

PACIFIC CUP QUALIFIER

Qualifier

Oct 17th

Cook Islands 22 -

Samoa 20

Location - Carins, Australia

Crowd - 4,261

PACIFIC CUP POOL ROUNDS

Game 1 Knockout

Oct 24th

Fiji 22 -

Cook Islands 24

Location - Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Crowd - 6,000

Game 2 Knockout

Oct 25th

Papua New Guinea 44 -

Tonga 14

Location - Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Crowd - 9,000

Game 3 Ranking

Oct 31st

Fiji 26 -

Tonga 16

Location - Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Crowd - 6,000

Pacific Cup Table

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	PTS
Papua New Guinea	1	1	0	0	44	14	2
Cook Islands	1	1	0	0	24	22	2
Tonga	1	0	0	1	14	44	0
Fiji	1	0	0	1	22	24	0

PACIFIC CUP FINAL

Pacific Cup Final

Nov 1st Papua New Guinea 42 - Cook Islands 14

Location - Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Crowd - 10,000

Pacific Cup Champions

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

LINKS

Boost IT Website Services www.boostit.com.au

RLIF - Rugby League International Federation

Trend Micro Australia - PC-cillin Internet Security 2009