2019 Oceania Cup (rugby league)

For the field hockey tournament of the same name, see 2019 Oceania Cup (field hockey).

The 2019 Oceania Cup was the inaugural edition of the Oceania Cup. Contested by six teams, the competition began in June and concluded in November.

2019 (2019) Oceania Cup  ()
Number of teams	6
Host countries	Australia  New Zealand
Winner	Australia (Cup)  Fiji (Shield)
Matches played	6
Attendance	84,268 (14,045 per match)
Points scored	240 (40 per match)
Tries scored	43 (7.17 per match)
Top scorer	Brandon Wakeham (16)
Top try scorer	Viliame Kikau (3)
2020 >

The competition was announced at the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) congress in November 2018.^[1] The draw was released in March and breaks the six teams into two separate pools with promotion and relegation to exist in what is to become an annual tournament. Group A will comprise the top three ranked Pacific nations in Australia, New Zealand and Tonga while Group B will comprise Fiji, Samoa and Papua New Guinea.^[2][3]

The winner of Pool A will win the Oceania Cup while the winner of Pool B will win the Oceania Shield and be promoted to Pool A in the next edition in place of Australia, who were due to travel to Europe for their first Kangaroos tour since 2003.^[4]

Venues

The games were played at the following venues in New Zealand and Australia.

Auckland	Auckland	Wollongong
Eden Park	Mt Smart Stadium	WIN Stadium
Capacity: 50,000	Capacity: 30,000	Capacity: 23,000
Sydney	Christchurch
Leichhardt Oval	Rugby League Park
Capacity: 20,000	Capacity: 18,000

Results

Group A - Cup

Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Australia	2	1	0	1	38	20	+18	2
New Zealand	2	1	0	1	38	40	−2	2
Tonga	2	1	0	1	30	46	−16	2

New Zealand	34–14	Tonga
Tries: Johnson (2), Hughes, Manu, Smith, Tuivasa-Sheck Goals: Marsters (5/6)	report	Tries: Kata, Taukeiaho, Tupou Goals: Taukeiaho (1/2), Staggs (0/1)

22 June 2019 17:40 NZST (UTC+12)

Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland[5][6] Attendance: 23,624 Referee: Ben Cummins (Australia)[7]

Team details

FB 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck WG 2 Ken Maumalo CE 3 Esan Marsters CE 4 Joseph Manu WG 5 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (c) FE 6 Shaun Johnson HB 7 Benji Marshall PR 8 Jesse Bromwich HK 9 Brandon Smith PR 10 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves SR 11 Kenny Bromwich SR 12 Briton Nikora LK 13 Isaac Liu Interchange: BE 14 Jahrome Hughes BE 15 Leeson Ah Mau BE 16 Nelson Asofa-Solomona BE 17 James Fisher-Harris Coach: Michael Maguire FB 1 William Hopoate (c) WG 2 David Fusitu'a CE 3 Kotoni Staggs CE 4 Solomone Kata WG 5 Daniel Tupou FE 6 John Asiata HB 7 Tuimoala Lolohea PR 15 Addin Fonua-Blake HK 9 Siliva Havili PR 10 Sio Siua Taukeiaho SR 11 Tevita Pangai Junior SR 12 Manu Ma'u LK 13 Jason Taumalolo (c) Interchange: BE 14 Manase Fainu BE 16 Peni Terepo BE 17 Sitili Tupouniua BE 19 Tevita Tatola Coach: Kristian Woolf Touch judges:[7] Chris McMillan (New Zealand) Chris Sutton (Australia) Video referee:[7] Steve Chiddy (Australia)

Notes:

• Jahrome Hughes, Briton Nikora (both New Zealand), Manase Fainu, Kotoni Staggs, and Sitili Tupouniua (all Tonga) made their Test debuts, while John Asiata made his debut for Tonga having previously represented Samoa.

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Australia	26–4	New Zealand
Tries: Addo-Carr, Cook, Frizell, Tedesco Goals: Mitchell (4/5), Cherry-Evans (1/1)	Report	Tries: Nicoll-Klokstad Goals: Johnson (0/1)

25 October 2019 20:10 AEDT (UTC+11)

WIN Stadium, Wollongong[8][5] Attendance: 18,104 Referee: Gerard Sutton (Australia)

Team details

FB 1 James Tedesco WG 2 Josh Addo-Carr CE 3 Latrell Mitchell CE 4 Jack Wighton WG 5 Nick Cotric FE 6 Cameron Munster HB 7 Daly Cherry-Evans PR 8 Josh Papalii HK 9 Damien Cook PR 10 David Klemmer SR 11 Boyd Cordner (c) SR 12 Tyson Frizell LK 13 Jake Trbojevic Interchange: BE 14 Ben Hunt BE 15 Payne Haas BE 16 Paul Vaughan BE 17 Wade Graham Coach: Mal Meninga FB 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck WG 2 Ken Maumalo CE 3 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad CE 4 Joseph Manu WG 5 Jamayne Isaako FE 6 Shaun Johnson HB 7 Benji Marshall (c) PR 8 Leeson Ah Mau HK 9 Brandon Smith PR 10 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves SR 11 Briton Nikora SR 12 Kenny Bromwich LK 13 Adam Blair Interchange: BE 14 Jahrome Hughes BE 15 Zane Tetevano BE 16 Braden Hamlin-Uele BE 17 Corey Harawira-Naera Coach: Michael Maguire Man of the Match: Damien Cook (Australia) Touch judges: Nick Beashel (Australia) Dave Munro (Australia) Video referees: Ben Galea (Australia) Jared Maxwell (Australia)

Notes:

• Josh Addo-Carr, Nick Cotric, Payne Haas, Jack Wighton (all Australia), Braden Hamlin-Uele, and Corey Harawira-Naera (both New Zealand) made their Test debuts, while Paul Vaughan made his debut for Australia having previously represented Italy, and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Zane Tetevano made their debut for New Zealand both having previously represented the Cook Islands.

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Tonga	16–12	Australia
Tries: Hopoate, Jennings, Pangai Junior Goals: Staggs (2/4)	Report	Tries: Wighton, Vaughan Goals: Mitchell (2/2)

2 November 2019 19:40 NZDT (UTC+13)

Eden Park, Auckland[5] Attendance: 25,257 Referee: Gerard Sutton (Australia)

Team details

FB 1 William Hopoate WG 2 David Fusitu'a CE 3 Michael Jennings CE 4 Konrad Hurrell WG 5 Daniel Tupou FE 6 Tuimoala Lolohea HB 21 Kotoni Staggs PR 15 Addin Fonua-Blake HK 9 Siliva Havili PR 10 Sio Siua Taukeiaho (c) SR 11 Ben Murdoch-Masila SR 12 Manu Ma'u LK 13 Jason Taumalolo (c) Interchange: BE 8 Andrew Fifita BE 14 Sione Katoa BE 19 Tevita Pangai Junior BE 20 Joe Ofahengaue Coach: Kristian Woolf FB 1 James Tedesco WG 2 Josh Addo-Carr CE 3 Latrell Mitchell CE 4 Jack Wighton WG 5 Nick Cotric FE 6 Cameron Munster HB 7 Daly Cherry-Evans PR 8 Josh Papalii HK 9 Damien Cook PR 10 David Klemmer SR 11 Boyd Cordner (c) SR 12 Tyson Frizell LK 13 Jake Trbojevic Interchange: BE 14 Cameron Murray BE 15 Payne Haas BE 16 Paul Vaughan BE 17 Wade Graham Coach: Mal Meninga Touch judges: Nick Beashel (Australia) Dave Munro (Australia) Video referee: Jared Maxwell (Australia)

Notes:

• Cameron Murray (Australia) made his Test debut.

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Group B - Shield

Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Fiji	2	2	0	0	66	38	+28	4
Samoa	2	1	0	1	42	50	−8	2
Papua New Guinea	2	0	0	2	26	46	−20	0

Papua New Guinea	6–24	Samoa
Tries: Wapi Goals: Martin (1/1)	report	Tries: Aloiai, Harris-Tavita, Luai, Paulo Goals: Isaako (4/4)

22 June 2019 19:55 AEST (UTC+10)

Leichhardt Oval, Sydney[5][9] Attendance: 8,408 Referee: Adam Gee (Australia)[7]

Team details

FB 1 Edene Gebbie WG 2 Junior Rau CE 3 Bernard Lewis CE 4 Xavier Coates WG 5 Terry Wapi FE 6 Edwin Ipape HB 7 Kyle Laybutt PR 8 Enock Maki HK 9 James Segeyaro (c) PR 10 Luke Page SR 11 Rhyse Martin SR 12 Nixon Putt LK 13 Moses Meninga Interchange: BE 14 Kurt Baptiste BE 15 Rhadley Brawa BE 16 Zev John BE 17 Stanton Albert Coach: Michael Marum FB 1 Jamayne Isaako WG 2 Jorge Taufua CE 3 Hymel Hunt CE 4 Marion Seve WG 5 David Nofoaluma FE 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita HB 7 Anthony Milford (c) PR 8 Junior Paulo HK 9 Jarome Luai PR 17 Josh Aloiai SR 11 Raymond Faitala-Mariner SR 12 Jaydn Su'A LK 13 Martin Taupau Interchange: BE 10 James Gavet BE 14 Mason Lino BE 15 Michael Chee-Kam BE 16 Herman Ese'ese Coach: Matt Parish Touch judges:[7] Nick Morel (Australia) David Munro (Australia) Video referees:[7] Henry Perenara (New Zealand) Bryan Norrie (Australia)

Notes:

• Xavier Coates, Edene Gebbie, Edwin Ipape, Zev John, Kyle Laybutt, Bernard Lewis, Terry Wapi (all Papua New Guinea), Chanel Harris-Tavita, Hymel Hunt, Marion Seve, and Jaydn Su'A (all Samoa) made their Test debuts, while Jamayne Isaako made his debut for Samoa having previously represented New Zealand.

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Samoa	18–44	Fiji
Tries: Taufua (2), Lafai, Mulitalo Goals: Lafai (1/4)	Report	Tries: Kikau (2), Miller, Lovodua, Lumelume, Naiqama, Ratuvakacereivalu, Wiliame Goals: Wakeham (5/6), Moceidreke (1/2)

2 November 2019 14:20 NZDT (UTC+13)

Eden Park, Auckland[5] Attendance: 25,257 Referee: Grant Atkins (Australia)

Team details

FB 1 Ronaldo Mulitalo WG 2 Jorge Taufua CE 3 Tim Lafai CE 4 Joseph Leilua (c) WG 5 Brian To'o FE 6 Marion Seve HB 7 Jarome Luai PR 8 Junior Paulo HK 9 Danny Levi PR 10 Martin Taupau SR 11 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui SR 12 Michael Chee-Kam LK 14 Dunamis Lui Interchange: BE 13 Bunty Afoa BE 15 Moses Leota BE 16 Luciano Leilua BE 17 James Gavet Coach: Matt Parish FB 1 Sitiveni Moceidreke WG 2 Isaac Lumelume CE 3 Taane Milne CE 4 Brayden Wiliame WG 5 Suliasi Vunivalu FE 6 Kevin Naiqama (c) HB 7 Brandon Wakeham PR 8 Kane Evans HK 9 Joe Lovodua PR 10 Tui Kamikamica SR 11 Viliame Kikau SR 12 Ben Nakubuwai LK 13 D'Rhys Miller Interchange: BE 14 Lamar Liolevave BE 15 Joseph Ratuvakacereivalu BE 18 King Vuniyayawa BE 19 Penioni Tagituimua Coach: Brandon Costin Touch judges: Paki Parkinson (New Zealand) Stephane Vincent (France) Video referee: Jared Maxwell (Australia)

Notes:

• Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Luciano Leilua, Moses Leota, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Brian To'o (all Samoa), Lamar Liolevave, and Joseph Ratuvakacereivalu (both Fiji) made their Test debuts, while Danny Levi made his debut for Samoa having previously represented New Zealand.

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Fiji	22–20	Papua New Guinea
Tries: Kamikamica, Kikau, Nakubuwai, Wiliame Goals: Wakeham (3/4)		Tries: Boas, Gebbie, Martin Goals: Martin (4/4)

9 November 2019 17:20 NZDT (UTC+13)

Rugby League Park, Christchurch[5] Attendance: 8,875 Referee: Chris Kendall (England)

Team details

FB 1 Sitiveni Moceidreke WG 2 Maika Sivo CE 3 Taane Milne CE 4 Brayden Wiliame WG 5 Suliasi Vunivalu FE 6 Kevin Naiqama (c) HB 7 Brandon Wakeham PR 8 Kane Evans HK 9 Joe Lovodua PR 10 Tui Kamikamica SR 11 Viliame Kikau SR 12 Ben Nakubuwai LK 13 D'Rhys Miller Interchange: BE 14 Lamar Liolevave BE 15 Joseph Ratuvakacereivalu BE 18 King Vuniyayawa BE 19 Penioni Tagituimua Coach: Brandon Costin FB 1 Alex Johnston WG 2 Edene Gebbie CE 3 Daniel Russell CE 4 Justin Olam WG 5 Terry Wapi FE 6 Kyle Laybutt HB 7 Watson Boas PR 8 Wellington Albert HK 9 Wartovo Puara PR 10 Luke Page SR 11 Nixon Putt SR 12 Rhyse Martin (c) LK 13 Moses Meninga Interchange: BE 14 Edwin Ipape BE 15 Stanton Albert BE 16 Enock Maki BE 17 Stargroth Amean Coach: Michael Marum Touch judges: Chris Butler (Australia) Paki Parkinson (New Zealand) Video referee: Shayne Hayne (Australia)

Notes:

• Daniel Russell (Papua New Guinea) made his Test debut, while Alex Johnston made his debut for Papua New Guinea having previously represented Australia.

See also

• International rugby league in 2019

References

1. "Kiwis will contest Oceania Cup in 2019 with Lions tour set for southern hemisphere". Stuff.co.nz. 11 November 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
2. "Great Britain lions tour & Oceania Cup". Rugby League International Federation. 5 March 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
3. "Oceania cup confirmed". Rugby League International Federation. 5 March 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
4. "Wayne Bennett to coach Great Britain in lions tour of southern hemisphere". National Rugby League. 5 March 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
5. Walter, Brad (5 March 2019). "Kangaroos to play Tonga in triple-header as Oceania Cup launched". NRL.com. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
6. "Kiwi Ferns to face Fetu Samoa in Women's Test as part of double-header". NZRL. 3 April 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
7. "Match officials for RLWC2021 Qualifier and RLIF Oceania Cup fixtures". RLIF. 19 June 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
8. "Trans Tasman Test Match announced for Woolongong". RLIF. 26 February 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
9. "2019 Ox & Palm Pacific Test Invitational venue and teams confirmed". NRL.com. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2019.

External videos
New Zealand v Tonga 2019 Oceania Cup on YouTube