Live Blog: Pacific Championships - Samoa v NZ

Dylan delivers: He may not have had the easiest year at Parra but Dylan Brown clearly revelled in donning the black jumper again as he had 18 runs for 146 metres, two try assists and the match-sealing try.

Full-time: The Kiwis prevail 24-18 in a thrilling contest with halves Kieran Foran and Dylan Brown combining for the match-winning play. Naufahu Whyte and Joseph Tapine were strong in the middle for the Kiwis and Matt Timoko and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad combined for 351 run metres.

80 min: Samoa roll the dice with a chip over the top. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad ends up with the ball. Samoa throw in a 'Hail Mary' captain's challenge but they come up empty.

77 min: Another chance for Samoa with Deine Mariner delivering the final pass a little bit high to Brian To'o who can't control it.

76 min: Jaydn Su'A is also forced off after suffering a head knock as he got into an awkward position attempting a front on tackle.

74 min: Kieran Foran comes up with a pinpoint high ball for Dylan Brown to chase and the five-eighth outleaps Blaize Talagi to come down with the ball and score. Jamayne Isaako converts from right in front. Kiwis 24-18.

73 min: A deft grubber from Jarome Luai is gathered b.y Blaize Talagi who has Deine Mariner in support with a try looking certain but Mariner spills the pass.

70 min: Samoa run the ball on the last and Murray Taulagi makes it third time lucky as he crashes through Ronaldo Mulitalo's cover tackle to score wide out. Blaize Talagi shows nerves of steel to convert in his international goalkicking debut. 18-18

66 min: A magical Moses Leota offload creates space for Joseph Tapine and the Kiwis roll into the Red Zone but the set ends with Brian To'o easily defusing a Kieran Foran kick.

64 min: Jamayne Isaako bangs over the penalty goal from the Mariner high contact. Kiwis 18-12.

63 min: Deine Mariner goes on report after making high contact with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who is sent for a HIA. He passes the assessment and is able to return.

61 min: Izack Tago comes up with an error in the ruck and the Kiwis take over on halfway.

59 min: Murray Taulagi again dives for the corner but puts his foot into touch. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad again flies across in cover and is penalised for high contact.

58 min: Jarome Luai is knocked over as he kicks the ball and Isaiah Papalii is penalised. Samoa get a chance inside the Red Zone.

56 min: Samoa forward Ata Mariota gets his head in an awkward position trying to tackle Casey McLean front on. Mariota is taken from the field on a medicab.

54 min: Jarome Luai goes to the air and Deine Mariner gets a touch on the ball in the contest and a knock on is ruled. The Kiwis come out of trouble.

51 min: Murray Taulagi launches himself into the corner after taking a sweet ball from Izack Tago but the Kiwis scramble across and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad does enough to deny Taulagi. 

49 min: Briton Nikora comes up with an error to put the Kiwis under the pump and Jarome Luai earns Samoa another set with a neat grubber.

45 min: A poor offload by Simi Sasagi is dived on by the Kiwis who show more desperation to get on the loose ball.

44 min: A one-on-one strip by Chanel Harris-Tavita gives Samoa good field position and a penalty follows for a support player being tackled without the ball.

Power of Payne: In his first Test match for Samoa, Payne Haas went the whole first half without a break. The Broncos behemoth had 11 runs for 98 metres and made 24 tackles in a superb first-half display. He would go on to amass 177 metres and 53 tackles as he all in his power to get Samoa across the line.

The kid can play: Casey McLean has played just 120 minutes of Test footy for the Kiwis and already has six tries to his name. The teenager was a constant threat on the left edge and came up with three line breaks and five tackle breaks to go with his try double.

Half-time: A high-quality contest with the Kiwis completing 20 of 24 sets at 83 per cent and Samoa going at 88 per cent with 16 from 18. Just the one penalty in the opening 40 minutes as the ball went from end to end and the Go Media Stadium crowd was royally entertained.

40 min: A trick shot by the Kiwis on the stroke of half-time as Dylan Brown fashions a kick off the outside of the boot and the ball bounces off Brian To'o into the path of Matt Timoko who plants it down to score. Jamayne Isaako hooks the conversion wide. Kiwis 16-12.

38 min: Nelson Asofa-Solomona hits the ball hard but can't hang on to the pass from Kieran Foran and the Kiwis have their sixth error of the half.

34 min: Another horror moment for Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad as he taps the ball back into play after Chanel Harris-Tavita had launched a 40-20 kick. The tap back by CNK rolls into the in goal and Simi Sasagi comes through to pick up the ball and score. Adding injury to insult for CNK he crashed into the fence after throwing himself over the sideline to tap the ball back in. 12-12.

33 min: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck comes up with a trysaver on his own line as he gets his body underneath Jamayne Isaako to deny the Kiwi winger a try.

32 min: A poor kick by Jarome Luai on the last play is easily defused by Jamayne Isaako and the opportunity is squandered by Samoa.

30 min: Jarome Luai hoists high again and Jeremiah Nanai makes a contest but Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad comes up with a great catch under pressure.

27 min: The error by CNK is punished by Samoa when Jarome Luai and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck combine to get the ball to Deine Mariner who evades Jamayne Isaako and dives over. Blaize Talagi converts. Kiwis 12-6.

26 min: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad comes up with a simple error under the high ball and Samoa go on the attack from 10m out.

24 min: Samoa forward Jazz Tevaga leaves the field for a HIA. He is unable to return.

23 min: Make it a double for Casey McLean after he takes an Isaiah Papalii offload from 20m out and uses his sharp footwork and power to slam the ball down despite having Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Junior Paulo all over him. Jamayne Isaako converts. Kiwis 12-0.

17 min: An unlikely kicker for Samoa with Jaydn Su'A putting in a grubber but Dylan Brown throws a leg out and picks up the scraps.

16 min: A grubber from Dylan Brown rolls into the in goal and Ronaldo Mulitalo tries desperately to get to the ball in a race with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck but he can't get it down. Samoa come away with a seven-tackle set.

10 min: Casey McLean continues his stunning strike rate in Kiwis colours as he burns Izack Tago on the outside and cruises in for the game's opening try. Jamayne Isaako adds the extras. Kiwis 6-0.

9 min: A penalty against Josh Papalii for a high shot on Jeremy Marshall-King puts Samoa under the pump.

6 min: Slick hands by the Kiwis on the right edge finishes with Matt Timoko being cut down just a metre short. The centre drops the ball in a tangle of bodies and the scrum follows.

4 min: Payne Haas pushes an offload and Jarome Luai puts it down to hand the Kiwis good field position.

1 min: Samoa make just 30m in their first set as the Kiwis get three and four defenders into every tackle.

Late Mail

Kiwis: Warhorse James Fisher-Harris captains a vastly experienced side that includes 31-Test veteran Kieran Foran at halfback in his first international appearance since the 2023 Pac Champs Final. At 35 years and 98 days, Foran will become the oldest man to play a Test for the Kiwis, surpassing Benji Marshall (34 years, 257 days) against Great Britain in 2019. Roosters enforcer Naufahu Whyte averaged 148m per game in 2025 and could be a late call-up to the starting side. Dolphins star Jeremy Marshall-King lines up at hooker in his first Test match since the 2022 World Cup and Nelson Asofa-Solomona makes his 16th appearance in Kiwi colours having served a three-game ban for a careless high tackle in Round 27 against the Broncos. Keano Kini is the 18th man.

Toa Samoa: A late change an hour before kick-off with Ata Mariota joining the bench in jersey No.19 after Terrell May was ruled out of the contest in Saturday's 24-hour update. May's withdrawal comes after brother Taylan was ruled out of the tournament with a torn quad. The 24-year-old was named in Ben Gardiner's initial squad along but now faces six weeks out to rehab the injury before joining Wests Tigers for pre-season training. Raiders veteran Josh Papalii returns on a two-year mission to lead his country to a historic World Cup victory. The 33-year-old will play his first Test match since the 2022 World Cup final against Australia at Old Trafford. Young gun Blaize Talagi joins Luai in the halves while Izack Tago and Deine Mariner form a dynamic centre pairing. Benaiah Ioelu is 18th man.

Numbers Game

• The Kiwis have won all five Test matches against Samoa.
• Samoa’s line-up includes nine State of Origin players.
• Kiwi winger Jamayne Isaako has scored 84 points in his last six Test appearances.
• Samoa’s line-up includes Broncos grand final stars Payne Haas and Deine Mariner.
• The Kiwis average 158 NRL games per player, compared with 135 for Samoa.

Women's Pacific Cup: Kiwi Ferns v Fetu Samoa

Close call: The Kiwi Ferns have never lost to Samoa or any other team apart from the Jillaroos. They are now 31-0 in all Tests against opponents other than Australia. They were given a hell of a scare in Auckland but they kept their composure to sneak home by two points and set up a blockbuster showdown with the Jillaroos at Eden Park in a fortnight.

Superstar Shalom: The Dally M rookie of the year was magnificent for Samoa, scoring a trademark solo try, running for 200 metres and busting 17 tackles. Yep, that's right. 17 tackle breaks. Freakish.

Mele to the rescue: After being well held in the first half, Mele Hufanga stood tall with the game on the line. The Karyn Murphy Medal winner ran for 204 metres, broke four tackles and came up with the decisive try with eight minutes to play when she snaffled a kick and ran 90 metres to score.

Full-time: The Kiwi Ferns have overturned a 20-point half-time deficit to sneak home by two points. Just as it appeared Samoa were on track for a monumental upset, Raecene McGregor took control and the Kiwi Ferns middle forwards started to get on top and the deficit was whittled away.

70 min: Pauline Piliae-Rasabale chips over the top but Apii Nicholls bravely gets down low and gathers the rolling ball and the Kiwi Ferns hang on.

69 min: One last chance for Samoa after Alexis Tauaneai comes up with a lost ball.

68 min: A huge play from Patricia Maliepo with a 40-30 kick to get possession back for the Kiwi Ferns.

66 min: Sienna Lofipo is taken high Brianna Clark who is penalised and placed on report. Lofipo leaves the field for a HIA.

63 min: Another Broncos grand final hero comes to the fore with Mele Hufanga taking a kick on the full and running 90m to level the scores. The attacking kick by Pauline Piliae-Rasabale was a poor one and was taken on the full by Hufanga who raced away. Patricia Maliepo cooly lands the conversion. Kiwis 22-20.

59 min: Another pinpoint kick by Raecene McGregor is put down by Jessica Patea and Shanice Parker dives on the ball and looks to have levelled the scores. Replays show Parker had lost control of the ball and failed to re-grip so a knock on is called and Samoa hang on.

55 min: Alexis Tauaneai makes good ground for the Kiwis but comes up with an error as she tries to force an offload under pressure from Shalom Sauaso.

50 min: Raecene McGregor grubbers towards the uprights, the ball takes a cruel bounce for Samoa and comes down for Alexis Tauaneai to score under the sticks. Patricia Maliepo again adds the extras. Samoa 20-16.

48 min: A double strike for the Kiwis with Ash Quinlan getting into dummy half after a strong run by Georgia Hale and taking off to leave the Samoa defence in her wake. Quinlan picked the ball up 12m out and was just too sharp for the back-pedaling defence. Patricia Maliepo converts. Samoa 20-10.

45 min: Two kicks from Raecene McGregor, two touches from Shanice Parker and the Kiwi Ferns are on the board. McGregor's second kick was a chip and it bounced perfectly for Parker to regather and score. Patricia Maliepo misses the conversion. Samoa 20-4.

44 min: Kiwi Ferns forward Shakira Baker leaves the field for a HIA.

38 min: A dropped ball by Ivana Lauitiiti puts the Kiwis under pressure again.

37 min: An early chance for Samoa to extend the lead but Pauline Piliae-Rasabale's grubber is too heavy and rolls dead.

Wrecking ball: Shalom Sausao picked up where she left off for the Broncos with nine runs and a try in 24 minutes of game time. The 18-year-old ran for a tick under 100m and had a stunning 11 tackle breaks as she tormented the Kiwi Ferns defence.

Half-time: A sensational 35 minutes from Fetu Samoa has them on track for an historic victory over the Ferns. With 64 per cent of possession and an 80 per cent completion rate, Samoa controlled the game superbly to run in four tries and rack up 28 tackle breaks to eight.

33 min: Sarina Masaga slices her way through with a devastating side step and delivers a superb offload for Tavarna Papalii to score. Pauline Piliae-Rasabale adds the extras to give us a stunning scoreline at the break. Samoa 20-0.

30 min: Laikha Clarke gets across the stripe and the Kiwis hold her up.

27 min: A huge turnaround in the game with the Kiwis putting in a poor kick through Patricia Maliepo which goes straight into the arms of Destiny Mino-Sinapati who shows a clean pair of heels to race 95m and score Samoa's third of the day. Pauline Piliae-Rasabale fails to convert. Samoa 14-0.

25 min: Samoa get a penalty and Shalom Sauaso tries to take a quick tap but she puts the ball down and it's a turnover.

24 min: A mistake from Georgia Hale in the play the ball allows Samoa to come out of trouble.

21 min: Slick hands to the right from Samoa with Pauline Piliae-Rasabale and Tavarna Papalii handling before Sarina Masaga crashes over wide out. Piliae-Rasabale misses the conversion. Samoa 10-0.

19 min: Samoa defend their line well to keep the Kiwis at bay and then come out of trouble on the back of a penalty against Raecene McGregor for a strip.

16 min: Pauline Piliae-Rasabale goes to the air, Destiny Mino-Sinapati comes through and takes possession in the contest but Apii Nicholls and Tysha Ikenasio combine to hold her up.

13 min: A magic moment for Broncos young gun Shalom Sauaso in her debut Test match for Samoa when she powers through four defenders from 10 metres out to open the scoring. Pauline Piliae-Rasabale nails the conversion. Samoa 6-0.

11 min: Another near thing, this time for the Ferns, with Shanice Parker latching onto a cross field kick and heading for the corner before Jetaya Faifua comes across in cover and knocks the ball out of her grasp.

10 min: Destiny Brill with a trademark dart out of dummy half gets over the line but desperate defence from Apii Nicholls forces the ball loose before she can get it down.

7 min: Jetaya Faifua fails to control a Raecene McGregor kick and the Ferns go on the attack but Apii Nicholls spills the ball on play one.

5 min: Shanice Parker is bundled into touch by Lindsay Tui and a penalty in the next set to Samoa puts them on the attack.

4 min: The Ferns receive the first penalty of the day when Destiny Brill is pinged for a slow peel.

3 min: A perfectly weighted kick by Raecene McGregor is taken by Jetaya Faifua right on her own line and Samoa work it away.

Late Mail

Kiwi Ferns: The Ferns line up 1-17 with no late changes. Co-captain Georgia Hale continues a memorable season in which she reached the epic milestone of 50 NRLW games, while fellow skipper Raecene McGregor has played 48 games. At the other end of the experience scale, five-eighth Patricia Maliepo, back-rower Shakira Baker, winger Tysha Ikenasio and bench forward Ivana Lauitiiti all earn their first caps. The squad also features premiership-winning Broncos Mele Hufanga and Brianna Clark. Tiana Davison is the 18th player.

Fetu Samoa: No late changes for Jamie Soward's team. Titans duo Taliah Fuimaono and Pauline Piliae-Rasabale will call the shots in the halves with Maroons Origin playmaker Tavarna Papalii backing them up off the bench. NRLW premiership winner Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala captains the side in her fifth Test for Samoa and 18th overall while fellow Brisbane forwards Destiny Brill and Shalom Sauaso are also on show. Veteran Niall Williams-Guthrie lines up for her second Test appearance at age 37 in the second row alongside teenager Ryvrr-Lee Alo, who makes her Samoa debut after playing for Cook Islands in 2024. Simone Karpani is the 18th player.

Numbers Game

• The Kiwi Ferns have won all four Test matches against Samoa.
• Fetu Samoa have won their last four Tests.
• The Kiwi Ferns have 502 games in NRLW experience, compared with 333 for Fetu Samoa.
• Fetu Samoa have nine players aged 20 or younger.