Pasifika Cup youth rugby plans for future tournaments and 2025 action photo gallery

It only started four years ago and is now one of the most successful events in junior sport. So what’s next for the Pasifika Cup youth rugby? 2025 PHOTO GALLERY

Action at the Pasifika Cup Youth Rugby at Whalan Reserve, Whalan. Pictures: Monique Harmer

It has become one of the biggest junior rugby tournaments in the country.

And now in its fourth year, the Pasifika Youth Cup rugby tournament was the best it has ever been.

NSW Junior’s general manager Ben Gregory said he has been bombarded by interest for rival states and nations to participate in the event.

And that could well mean an extra eight teams spots are up for grabs for the 2026 tournament run by Sydney Juniors which this year boasted abounds 1700 players from the under 12s to under 18s

Officials are keen to see the event expand but are restricted by requiring a venue with eight playing fields.

This year Queensland Samoa, Niue, thee Solomon Islands and Newcastle Pasifika all field invitational teams at the event.

But Gregory said it would be best if every age group had eight teams so the competition could be split into an even two pools of four.

A Koori U12s player is grabbed by the hair against Fiji. Picture: Julian Andrews

Mason Akauola and Harry Atoa. Picture: Monique Harmer

“We have some inquiries from around the country so an eighth spot in the draw would enable that to happen,’’ Gregory said.

“We are looking for visiting teams in each of the age groups.’’

Samoa proved to be the standout nations at the event, winning multiple age classes.

But they had plenty of competitions from the top spot with Tonga another standouts.

Maori Rewiri Howden Jnr at the Pasifika Cup Youth Rugby at Whalan Reserve. Picture: Monique Harmer

Barbarians player Riley Donohoe Picture: Julian Andrews.

Gregory said the size of crowds at the event had surprised.

“IT was enormous with 30-35,000 people through across the three days,’’ he said.

“There was as really good football, people had a great time and the spoils were pretty much shared between Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.

L-R Sione Mahe Teuhema and Sitani Haunga

We had photographers Julian Andrews and Monique Harmer at the event capturing the best action on Saturday and Sunday.

Below is a selection of their work from the annual event celebrating culture, heritage and rugby.

Pasifika Cup:Day 1-2 Wrap

Pasifika Cup: Event Wrap

There were smiles all around at the event. Maori player Whetu Marama Aperahama-Takiari

Samoan player Jeremiah Notise Tauafao

Fiji player Lusiana Vesikula

Tiresa Pritchard (Queensland Samoa Secretary) 18s player of the tournament- QLD SAMOA - Eden Tutakangahau., Alicia Afuie (U18G manager) Andrew Tafa (President) and photo of beloved late Coach Kalolo Afuie, Aaliyah Lama, Charlie Gemmell, Meleana Tafa, Te Rina Pearse

Daine Chadwick

Amber-Lee Fuimaono, Aaliyah Lama, Meleana Tafa Tejahla Daniels-Maifea and Tenaria George

Cook Islands player Izabelle Ratumu jumping

Samoan player Kroyden Taefu

Action in the girls competition. Monique Harmer

Maori Leo Farr with ball

Under 12 player Niulala Tongia getting plenty of attention.

What a shot! Chevani Tago and Cook Islands player Chiara Davis with ball

Junior Veni at the Pasifika Cup Youth Rugby at Whalan Reserve

Junior Veni looking for a gap.

Queensland Samoa’s Lusia Sitani, Nevaeh Pritchard, Xanthia Beale, Lisa Ball, and Cook Islands 10 Danielle Seckold.

Maori player Rewiri Howden Jnr

Winners are grinners in he under 14s.

Queensland Samoa U18 player Meleana Tafa and Cook Islands Chiara Davis with ball

Maori v Niue in the under 18 boys.

Mason Akauola and Harry Atoa

Setelo Matakaionga and Samoa Kroyden Taefu with ball

The tournament is now in its fourth year.

Fiji Ravouvou v NSW Maori Tama

Maori player Daniele Tallasa

Tonga player Kalolaine Lolohea.

Barbarians 18 Girls v Fiji.

James Vi in action.

A pile-on at the Pasifika Cup Youth Rugby

Koori player Kiaura Eastley.

Barbarians player Jack Campbell

Koori player Tayarnie Jeffries.

Maori player Ihaka Wright

Tonga Under 12’s Setelo Matakaionga and Samoa Kroyden Taefu with ball P

Lavinia Oloaga 14 for Samoa U14s and father Lance Oloaga.