Few rivalries in Pacific rugby carry the same electricity as Samoa versus Tonga. In 2025, the two nations clashed not once but twice—first in rugby union’s Pacific Nations Cup on August 23, then in rugby league’s Pacific Championships on October 26, where Toa Samoa defeated Tonga XIII 34-6 at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium (NRL (official league body)). This guide breaks down the times, venues, results, and how to watch both cross-code battles so you don’t miss a minute of the action.

4 related posts

Match date (League): October 26, 2025 ·
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane ·
Kickoff (AEDT): 4:00 PM ·
Competition: Pacific Championships (League) / Pacific Nations Cup (Union) ·
Head-to-head (League since 2010): Tonga leads 4 wins to Samoa’s 3

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact kickoff time for the Pacific Nations Cup union match (not yet published)
  • Final lineups and injury lists until match day
  • International TV broadcast details for viewers outside Australia and the Pacific
3Timeline signal
  • Aug 22–30, 2025: Pacific Nations Cup pool matches including Tonga vs Samoa on Aug 23 (ABC Pacific)
  • Oct 26, 2025: Pacific Championships Round 2 – Tonga XIII vs Toa Samoa at Suncorp Stadium (NRL) (ABC Pacific)
  • Nov 2, 2025: Pacific Cup Final (top teams) at 4:05 PM AEDT (ABC Pacific)
4What’s next
  • Pacific Cup Final on November 2, 2025 – Samoa likely to feature after win over Tonga (ABC Pacific)
  • Union match result will determine pool standings for Pacific Nations Cup knockout stage (ABC Pacific)

Four key data points, one theme: the 2025 Samoa–Tonga rivalry delivered a decisive league result, while the union outcome still awaits.

Label Value
League match result (Oct 2025) Samoa 34–6 Tonga – final score from NRL official match centre
Union match result (Aug 2025) To be determined – check World Rugby for live updates
Tonga vs Samoa head-to-head (League, all time) Tonga 4 wins, Samoa 3 wins (as of end 2024 season, per Wikipedia (community-edited sports encyclopedia))
2025 Pacific Championships champion Final on November 2, 2025 at 4:05 PM AEDT

What time is the Samoa vs Tonga 2025 game?

Kickoff in AEDT and local time zones

The NRL Pacific Championships match kicked off at 4:00 PM AEDT on Sunday, October 26, 2025 at Suncorp Stadium (ABC Pacific). For viewers across the Pacific, ABC provided these conversions: 15:00 PGT (Papua New Guinea), 17:00 FJT (Fiji), 18:00 WST/TOT (Samoa/Tonga), and 19:00 CKT (Cook Islands) (ABC Pacific).

For UK fans, Sky Sports listed the same fixture at 5:00 AM BST on Sunday, October 26 (Sky Sports (leading UK sports broadcaster)).

The upshot

Viewers in Samoa and Tonga had a rare treat: a 6:00 PM local kickoff that didn’t require a late night or early alarm — a schedule win for Pacific fans.

Broadcast schedule and streaming platforms

  • Australian viewers: ABC TV and ABC iview carried the match live, with replays on ABC Pacific’s digital platforms (ABC Pacific).
  • International: Sky Sports (UK) broadcast the game; NRL.com provided live scores and a replay hub.
  • The Pacific Nations Cup union match on August 23 will be covered by World Rugby’s official streaming service and local broadcasters in Tonga.

The trade-off: if you’re outside Australia or the UK, finding a legal stream may require a VPN or patience for delayed highlights.

Where is the Pacific Championship 2025 being played?

Suncorp Stadium details

The NRL Pacific Championships Round 2 match between Tonga XIII and Toa Samoa was held at Suncorp Stadium (Lang Park) in Brisbane, Australia, a 52,500-capacity venue that regularly hosts State of Origin and international rugby (NRL). The women’s match between Fetu Samoa and the Australian Jillaroos preceded the men’s fixture on the same ground.

Teufaiva Stadium for Pacific Nations Cup

The union match on August 23, 2025 will take place at Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku’alofa, Tonga — the national stadium known for its passionate home crowd (ABC Pacific).

Other Pacific Championships venues

Wikipedia records that the 2025 Pacific Championships were hosted across six venues in four countries, including Brisbane’s Lang Park (Wikipedia). The men’s Pacific Cup also featured matches in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

The pattern: Suncorp Stadium served as the neutral but Pacific-friendly hub for league, while Tonga’s home soil provided the backdrop for union — a contrast that shapes each code’s atmosphere.

Did Samoa win or Tonga in 2025?

Match result for Pacific Championships Round 2

Toa Samoa defeated Tonga XIII 34–6 in a dominant performance. The NRL match centre reported Samoa’s victory with a clear margin (NRL). Wikipedia’s 2025 Rugby League Pacific Championships page confirms the result as Tonga 6–34 Samoa (Wikipedia).

Match result for Pacific Nations Cup (Aug 2025)

As of publication, the union match has not yet been played; the outcome will be available on World Rugby’s official site and through Pacific news outlets.

Series standings after the match

Wikipedia shows the men’s Pacific Cup table after two matches: New Zealand first, Samoa second, Tonga third. Samoa’s points-for/against stood at 52/30, while Tonga’s were 20/74 (Wikipedia).

Why this matters

Samoa’s 28-point win vaulted them into the Pacific Cup final conversation, while Tonga now face an uphill battle to avoid relegation to the Bowl competition.

Samoa’s dominant win reshaped the Pacific Cup standings, putting them in pole position for the final.

How to watch Tonga vs Samoa 2025?

TV broadcast channels

  • Australia: ABC TV and ABC iview — free-to-air coverage for both the league and union matches (ABC Pacific).
  • United Kingdom: Sky Sports Arena carried the league game at 5:00 AM BST (Sky Sports).
  • Pacific region: Local broadcasters in Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and PNG; check ABC Pacific for cross-regional feeds.

Live streaming options

NRL.com offered live scores, stats, and replays for the league match. For the union match, World Rugby’s streaming platform and local partners will provide coverage. International viewers may face geo-restrictions.

Match replays and highlights

Full-match replays are available on ABC iview and NRL.com for the league match. The union match will likely be archived on World Rugby’s YouTube channel after the event.

What is the historical relationship between Samoa and Tonga?

Did Tonga ever own Samoa?

No, Tonga never owned Samoa. Historical interactions date back to the Tongan Empire’s influence over parts of the Samoan Islands in the 13th–15th centuries, but there was no political ownership (Wikipedia).

Political and cultural ties

Modern diplomatic relations between the independent nations were established in the 19th and 20th centuries. Both share Polynesian heritage, linguistic roots, and strong diaspora communities in New Zealand and Australia.

Rivalry in rugby codes

The league head-to-head (2010–2024) stands at Tonga 4 wins, Samoa 3 wins. The 2025 Pacific Championships result swung momentum to Samoa. In union, the nations have met in World Cup qualifiers and Pacific Nations Cups, with Samoa holding a slight edge in recent matches.

The implication: this is a rivalry of near equals, where every win shifts bragging rights and tournament positioning dramatically.

Match comparison: League vs Union

Two codes, two very different contexts: one settled on neutral turf, the other yet to be played on Tongan soil.

Detail Pacific Championships (League) Pacific Nations Cup (Union)
Date October 26, 2025 August 23, 2025
Venue Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku’alofa
Kickoff (local) 4:00 PM AEDT TBC
Result Samoa 34–6 Tonga To be played
Competition Pacific Cup (top tier) Pool A

The contrast in venues and contexts underscores the dual nature of the rivalry, with each code offering a different stage for the Pacific’s fiercest competition.

Timeline

  • – Pacific Nations Cup: Tonga vs Samoa at Teufaiva Stadium
  • – Pacific Championships Round 2: Tonga XIII vs Toa Samoa at Suncorp Stadium
  • – Pacific Cup Final at 4:05 PM AEDT

These dates anchor the 2025 Samoa-Tonga rugby calendar, providing clear milestones for fans and broadcasters.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • NRL Pacific Championships Round 2 date and venue – NRL and ABC
  • Pacific Nations Cup fixture date and venue – ABC Pacific
  • League match kickoff: 4:00 PM AEDT – ABC
  • Result: Samoa 34–6 Tonga – NRL and Wikipedia

What’s unclear

  • Exact kickoff for Pacific Nations Cup union match
  • Final lineups and injury lists
  • International TV rights for viewers outside Australia, UK, and Pacific

The clarity check shows a strong foundation of verified facts, with only a few variables still in flux.

Quotes from the match

“It’s game day! Toa Samoa v Tonga XIII at 4pm AEDT today!”

— ABC Pacific (regional broadcaster)

The 2025 Pacific Championships featured 12 teams across men’s and women’s formats, split into Cup and Bowl competitions.

— Sky Sports

Samoa’s men’s Pacific Cup points-for/after two matches stood at 52/30.

— Wikipedia

For Tongan fans watching from Nuku’alofa, the 6:00 PM local league kickoff meant a prime-time viewing slot — a rare luxury in international rugby.

Additional sources

en.wikipedia.org, skygo.co.nz, youtube.com, youtube.com, facebook.com, instagram.com, reddit.com, eagles.rugby

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

Where can I watch the Samoa vs Tonga match live?

ABC TV and ABC iview in Australia; Sky Sports in the UK; NRL.com for league match replays; World Rugby platforms for the union match.

Did Samoa win the 2025 match against Tonga?

Yes, Toa Samoa defeated Tonga XIII 34–6 in the league match on October 26. The union result is pending.

What is the difference between the Pacific Championships and Pacific Nations Cup?

The Pacific Championships is a rugby league competition organized by the NRL; the Pacific Nations Cup is a rugby union tournament run by World Rugby. They feature overlapping teams but different rules and schedules.

Who are the key players to watch in Toa Samoa vs Tonga?

For Samoa, players like Stephen Crichton and Jarome Luai typically feature; for Tonga, Jason Taumalolo and Addin Fonua-Blake are star inclusions. Exact 2025 lineups depend on NRL availability.

What is the head-to-head record between Samoa and Tonga in rugby league?

As of end 2024, Tonga leads 4 wins to Samoa’s 3. The 2025 Pacific Championships win by Samoa tied the all-time series at 4–4 if only senior matches are counted.

Is the Pacific Cup final also on October 26, 2025?

No. The Pacific Cup Final is scheduled for November 2, 2025 at 4:05 PM AEDT.

Bottom line: Bottom line: The 2025 Samoa vs Tonga rivalry delivered one emphatic league win for Samoa, while the union chapter remains unwritten. For fans in the Pacific, the scheduling win of a 6 PM local kickoff for the league match made it accessible; for international viewers, ABC and Sky Sports had you covered. For coaches and selectors, the 28-point margin signals a shift in Pacific rugby league power — and sets up a compelling rematch in 2026.