'There is a great deal at stake': Fresh twist adds drama to Pacific Championships
Rugby league's Pacific Championships will return this year with a format shake-up that includes a promotion system.
The international tournament will be played across four countries on four consecutive weekends starting October 18, including a men's and women's draw.
Australia, Tonga, and New Zealand will compete for the men's Pacific Cup while Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand will contest the women's Cup.
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The Pacific Bowl will be contested by Fiji, PNG and Cook Islands in the men's, and the women's will feature Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, and Cook Islands.
But in a new twist, the winner of each Pacific Bowl will then play the third-place finisher in the respective Cup draws.
James Tedesco is tackled by Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. Getty
The winner of that match will then join the two Cup finalists in next year's Pacific Cup draws, while the loser will go to the Bowl.
"This year we have raised the stakes by adding promotion and relegation across the men's and women's tournaments so there is a great deal at stake in the Pacific Championships," NRL chief Andrew Abdo said on Friday.
"As the Pacific's largest sport, rugby league is fast becoming the language that unifies the region.
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"The Pacific Championships is a powerful showcase and celebration of culture, connecting passionate rugby league fans in each host city and nation into one pulsating sporting community.
"Fans will have the opportunity to experience the unique colour and atmosphere that the Pacific Championships brings with each venue hosting double-header match days to create a carnival atmosphere with local and visiting supporters."
The Championships kick off on October 18 with a double header in Brisbane - Australia playing Tonga in the men's Cup, while the Aussie women take on PNG.
The two Aussie teams will again play a double header the following week in Christchurch against New Zealand.
The Pacific Cup finals will be played on November 10 in Sydney as well as the promotion playoffs, making it a four-game festival in one day.
