Pacific Championships 2025: Fiji vs Cook Islands & NZ vs Samoa Preview

On Saturday, Fiji Bati meet the Cook Islands Aitu in Port Moresby before the New Zealand Kiwis face Toa Samoa in Auckland. Both matches promise hard-hitting contests, star power from the NRL, and plenty of attacking flair as each nation looks to start its campaign in style.

Fiji head into the opening round as heavy favourites, having dominated the Cook Islands in their last two Pacific Championships encounters. The Bati possess a powerful forward pack led by skipper Tui Kamikamica and a backline brimming with strike talent, including Jahream Bula, Sunia Turuva, and Michael Jennings. Their continuity and experience make them formidable, but questions remain over match fitness, with several players returning from extended breaks.

The Cook Islands, however, present more threat than the odds suggest. Key playmakers Brad Takairangi and Cassius Cowley will guide a reshaped attack featuring prolific tryscorer KL Iro, who has crossed 12 times in 14 NRL games this year. The Aitu have scored 16 or more points in six of their last ten games, and with Fiji’s defence conceding that mark in five of their past six, there’s value in backing the underdogs to find the line. Expect Fiji’s speed out wide to dominate early, but the Cook Islands could keep it competitive with their renewed structure and attacking options.

Cook Islands Over 16.5 Team Total – value considering Fiji’s recent defensive record.

The headline clash of the weekend sees the New Zealand Kiwis face Toa Samoa in what promises to be a high-intensity battle at GoMedia Stadium. New Zealand are looking to rebound after a disappointing 2024 campaign, where losses to Australia and Tonga exposed inconsistencies in attack. This year, Dylan Brown and Kieran Foran take the reins in the halves, supported by a powerful pack featuring James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota, and Joseph Tapine. Young star Casey McLean, who scored four tries on debut last year, adds potency out wide alongside Jamayne Isaako and Ronaldo Mulitalo.

Samoa, meanwhile, enter with renewed optimism. Jarome Luai and Blaize Talagi headline an exciting halves pairing, while Roger Tuivasa-Sheck returns to fullback, flanked by world-class wingers Brian To’o and Murray Taulagi. Up front, Payne Haas, Josh Papalii, and Junior Paulo form a monstrous forward rotation capable of matching New Zealand’s physicality. Despite a winless streak dating back to the 2022 World Cup semi-final, Samoa’s depth and energy make them genuine upset contenders.

Expect end-to-end football, big collisions, and plenty of points—both sides have been involved in games topping 50 total points in recent outings. Samoa’s creativity and enthusiasm may trouble the Kiwis, but New Zealand’s class and depth should see them narrowly edge a thriller.

Over 47.5 Total Points – both teams’ recent matches have comfortably cleared this line.