Australia's world champion Kangaroos and Jillaroos restored pride after losing last year's Pacific Cup finals but not without a massive fright from Tonga and the Kiwi Ferns at a heaving CommBank Stadium.
With Tom Dearden and Isaah Yeo playing leading roles, the Kangaroos kicked out to a 20-4 lead after 43 minutes before withstanding a powerful finish from a proud Tonga side spurred on by a red tidal wave of support.
The Jillaroos, meanwhile, always looked to have their arch-rivals at arm's length, saluting 24-4 on the back of the playmaking brilliance of Tarryn Aiken and Ali Brigginshaw and a committed defence that only yielded with 90 seconds to remaining in the match.
Joining the Jillaroos and Kiwi Ferns in next year's Pacific Cup will be Fetu Samoa, who capped a fabulous fortnight by beating PNG Orchids 34-12 to earn promotion to the top tier.
Having already qualified for the 2026 World Cup courtesy of their win over Fiji Bulikula in week two, the Jamie Soward-coached Samoa put the icing on the cake with Sunday's impressive victory.
Shaun Johnson says goodbye
The Orchids will be relegated to the Pacific Bowl in 2025 but had already safely qualified for the World Cup after making the semi-finals of the last tournament in 2022.
In the men's tournament, the Kiwis' big win over the Kumuls in Sunday's promotion-relegation clash ensured that Stacey Jones' team would remain in the top tier in 2025, where they could be pitched against Tonga and Samoa, with the Kangaroos possibly headed to England for a Test series against the old enemy.
After coming out of retirement in his country's hour of need, superstar halfback Shaun Johnson got the perfect send-off in his 35th and final Test match for the Kiwis, coming up with five try assists and three line break assists.
The Sipi Tau has CommBank Stadium going off
Pacific Championships Finals
Match: Kangaroos v Tonga XIII
Final -
home Team
Kangaroos
1st Position
away Team
Tonga XIII
2nd Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Kangaroos v Tonga XIII
- Report: Kangaroos hold off Tonga to claim Pacific Cup title
- Injuries: Paul Alamoti (elbow)
- The Quote: "It was everything you'd want from a final. Lots of momentum swings and they really made us work for it so I was really proud of our group. I feel like we based our whole campaign on the defence. The big thing was we bought into it and off the back of that it allows you to defend, it allows you to trust and I thought we did that in all three games." - Kangaroos skipper Isaah Yeo
- The Fallout: The Kangaroos avenged a 30-0 loss in last year's Pacific Cup final to claim the crown while Tonga will be part of next year's tournament against Samoa and the Kiwis. The Kangaroos are expected to be playing a Test series against England at the end of the 2025 season.
Kangaroos v Tonga XIII – Final, 2024
Match: Kiwis v PNG Kumuls
Final -
home Team
Kiwis
away Team
PNG Kumuls
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Kiwis v PNG Kumuls
- Report: Teen debutant stars as Kiwis secure Pacific Cup safety
- Injuries: Nil
- Judiciary: Ila Alu (Kumuls), Grade 1 Crusher Tackle, 1st Offence.
Guilty - Early Plea. Fined 10% of match fee. - The Quote: "I was fortunate enough to get to know him at club land before this. To see him debut this year for Penrith and the Kiwis, as an 18-year-old he’s got the world at his feet. He’s got a real level head on him for his age, he’s just going to be a monster." - Kiwi skipper James Fisher-Harris on four-try hero Casey McLean.
- The Fallout: The Kiwis put the disappointment of last week's loss to Tonga behind them to avoid relegation to the Pacific Bowl. The Kumuls took the spoils in the Bowl and will again be part of that competition in 2025.
Kiwis v Kumuls - Playoff, 2024
Match: Jillaroos v Kiwi Ferns
Final -
home Team
Jillaroos
1st Position
away Team
Kiwi Ferns
2nd Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Jillaroos v Kiwi Ferns
- Report: Aiken all class as Jillaroos reign supreme
- Injuries: Annessa Biddle (neck)
- The Quote: "Kezie and Ali are the ones that lead their teams when we play State of Origin and when you put them together and bring a group together you create an incredible bond and great leadership. I just feel really happy for Kezie and I feel really happy for Ali because they are two of the best players I've seen in my 15 years in women's footy." - Jillaroos coach Brad Donald
- The Fallout: The Jillaroos made amends for a loss in last year's final to the Kiwi Ferns and asserted their superiority as the world's No.1 team, scoring 122 points to four across their three games.
Jillaroos v Kiwi Ferns - Final, 2024
Match: PNG Orchids v Fetu Samoa
Final -
home Team
PNG Orchids
away Team
Fetu Samoa
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
PNG Orchids v Fetu Samoa
- Report: Fetu Samoa turn on the power to earn Pacific Cup promotion
- Injuries: Jenny Wesley (knee)
- Judiciary: Sera Koroi (Orchids), Grade 3 Dangerous Throw, 1st Offence. Referred to Judiciary. Plea - Guilty. 4 match ban.
Sareka Mooka (Orchids), Grade 2 Dangerous Contact, 1st Offence.
Guilty - Early Plea. 1 match ban.
Mala Mark (Orchids), Grade 1 Contrary Conduct, 1st Offence.
Guilty - Early Plea. Warning.
Sareka Mooka (Orchids), Grade 1 Contrary Conduct, 1st Offence.
Guilty - Early Plea. Warning..
Christian Pio (Fetu Samoa), Grade 1 Dangerous Contact, 1st Offence.
Guilty - Early Plea. Warning.
- The Quote: "We didn't come into this competition to make up the numbers, we were here to win, and that's exactly what we did. We are here to make a name for our small nation. This is definitely the highlight of my playing career and honestly I don't even mind if my body doesn't let me play next year I'm just happy that I was able to lead our team this year and accomplish our long-term goals for Samoa." - Fetu Samoa skipper Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala.
- The Fallout: Fetu Samoa have qualified for the 2026 World Cup and earned promotion to the Pacific Cup in 2025 while the Orchids will be relegated to the Pacific Bowl next season.
Orchids v Fetu Samoa - Week 4, 2024
