The Vaine Moana will play Tonga in a stand-alone women’s international at St Marys Stadium in Sydney on Saturday 10 October, kicking off at 4pm Sydney time.
Neither nation qualified for this year’s Rugby League World Cup, and with the Pacific Championships paused during the tournament, both federations agreed to fund the match themselves so their players keep getting international football.
It is a rematch of last year’s Pacific Bowl decider in Port Moresby, where the Moana came from behind to win 42-24 and claim the first trophy for a Cook Islands team in elite international sport.
CIRL President Charles Carlson said the fixture was an important step on the Moana’s pathway to the next World Cup, and a chance for players already in the NRLW, and those working towards it, to keep representing their country.
It is critically important that we maintain this level of competition.Charles Carlson, CIRL President
Tickets were available at the gate: $10 for ages 16 and over, $5 for pensioners and children aged 12 to 15.
