Samoa clinch Pacific Cup promotion with PNG thrashing

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Samoa clinch Pacific Cup promotion with PNG thrashing

Samoa have booked historic rugby league Tests against the Jillaroos and Kiwi Ferns by thumping Papua New Guinea 34-12 to win promotion to the top tier of the Pacific Championships.

Jamie Soward’s side qualified for the 2026 World Cup last week and will be given a shot at the game’s top two nations in 2025 after comfortably handling the PNG Orchids.

PNG had been kept scoreless in thrashings at the hands of both Australia and New Zealand in the group stages of the Pacific Cup.

They needed to beat Samoa in the opening game at CommBank Stadium on Sunday but quickly found themselves 16-0 down at halftime.

Tries from Mercedez Taulelei-Siala, Jasmine Fogavini and Jetaya Faifua took the Samoans out to an early lead.

It was a position they only strengthened in the second half with Lindsay Tui crashing in on the left flank.

PNG forward Sareka Mooka was placed on report for using her elbow in the tackle while Tui grounded the ball, prompting referee Karra-Lee Nolan to award Samoa a penalty try.

Mooka had been placed on report in the first half for a hair pull.

Fogavini further boosted Samoa’s advantage before PNG finally got on the board, registering their first points of the tournament via an Elsie Albert barge-over.

PNG’s hopes were not helped when Sera Koroi was sent off for a spear tackle on Sarina Masaga with 15 minutes left in the match.

Albert did add a second try when she burst over under the posts before a long-range Jessica Patea effort completed Samoa’s dominant victory.

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