Pacifica Youth Rugby Cup 2022 winners, photo special, result wrap at inaugural Sydney tournament

There were thrillers, blowouts, war dances and big hits as Super Rugby, Sevens and even NRL stars of tomorrow hit the pitch in the Pacifica Youth Rugby Cup. Photo gallery and result wrap.

There were plenty of great games, performances and memorable moments at the Pacifica Cup.

It’s traditionally rugby league territory but rugby union and Sevens rugby has proved a massive hit in western Sydney with the inaugural Pacifica Youth Cup run, won and plans already underway to make it an annual addition to the NSW sporting calendar.

The new event attracted more than 4000 spectators, 40 teams and the best young footy players from as far away as Moree, Newcastle and the Central Coasts to play both XV’s rugby and Sevens.

Hosted by the Minchinbury Jets rugby league club at Mount Druitt the event threw the spotlight on some of football’s rising talent and rugby union’s quest to become more of a force in Sydney’s west.

“It was fantastic and we are already in discussions about holding it from next year and how to improve it,’’ said Sydney Junior Rugby’s Bernard Tuaimau.

“There was plenty of colour, really engaging rugby and the feedback from parents and families was so positive, In the (under 17) finals Tonga sang the anthem and the war dances were insane.

SEVENS TEENS OUT TO MAKE A MARK

Before the U15 Boys tournament match between Tonga and Samoa. Pics: Julian Andrews.

“I think we underestimated how much it meant to the kids to represent their heritage.

It meant a lot to everyone.

“We were hosted by the Minchinbury Jets rugby league club and the facilities were fantastic.

“We were in rugby league heartland and there were lots of comments about people not knowing rugby was played in the west.’’

Winners after the U16 Girls tournament between NSW Maori and Samoa.

Tuaimau said one family travelled form Moree to play and he expects the event to grow.

“We are already in discussions about locking it into the Sydney Juniors calendar,’’ he said.

Preparing for the U14 Boys tournament between NSW Maori and Samoa.

PACIFICA RUGBY CUP 2022 RESULT WRAP

BOYS XV U17S

Samoa and Tonga won their individual pools with two wins each before facing off on the final day. FINAL: Tonga 15 beat Samoa 14.

There was plenty to play for in the U15 Boys tournament between Tonga and Samoa.

Maori Boys 18 beat Ravouvou Bogi Boys 5, Ravouvou Biau Boys 25 beat Barbarians 10, Barbarians 14 beat Ravouvou Bogi 10, Samoa 10 beat Maori Boys 7, Tonga 15 beat Barbarians 0, Ravouvou Biau 12 beat Maori Boys 0, Tonga 17 beat Ravouvou Bogi 0, Samoa 24 beat Ravouvou Biau 5

Hard-hitting players in the Tonga and Samoa match.

BOYS XV U15S

Tonga dominated Pool A and Samoa did the same in pool B before meeting in the final match of their competition. FINAL: Samoa 15 beat Tonga 13

The final of the 17 Boys tournament between Tonga and Samoa.

Koori Boys 22 beat Barbarians 10, Maori Boys 45 beat Fiji 0, Maori Boys 19 beat Barbarians 3, Fiji 20 beat Koori boys 10, Samoa 27 beat Barbarians 5, Tonga 17 beat Fiji 14, Tonga 61 beat Koori boys 0, Samoa 17 beat Maori 7

There was plenty on the line in the U17 game between Tonga and Samoa.

The Tonga and Samoa match had many highlights.

BOYS XV U14S

Samoa Blue finished on top of Poole A and Maori boys did the same in Poole B.

FINAL: Samoa beat Maori Boys 24-10

The U14 boys match between NSW Maori and Samoa.

Maori Boys 29 beat Tonga boys 12, Ravouvou Biau Boys 54 beat Samoa White 5, Koori Boys 26 beat Barbarians 19, Ravouvou Biau 31 beat Tonga 7, Maori 40 beat Samoa White 0, Samoa Blue 32 beat Koori 7, Barbarians 33 beat Ravouvou Bogi 7, Tonga 12 beat Samoa White 0, Maori 19 beat Ravouvou Biau 14, Koori 26 beat Ravouvou Bogi 0, Samoa 26 beat Barbarians 0

There was plenty of emotion on display in the NSW Maori and Samoa game.

NSW Maori and Samoan team teenagers in action in the 14s.

Before the U15s match. Pics: Julian Andrews

GIRLS 7S U14S

The Tonga girls TEAM dominated Pool A and the barbarians dominated Pool B before these two teams clashed.

FINAL: Tonga 30 beat Barbarian’s Girls 7.

The Sevens match between NSW Maori and Samoa and MVP Waiaria Ellis.

Manusina (Blue) 34 beat Raluve Bogi 5, Tava’esina White 30 beat Koori Girls 10, Maori Girls 31 beat Raluve Biau Girls 0, Raluve Bogi 10 beat Maori Girls 5, Manusina Blue 31 beat Koori Girls 0, Barbarians Girls 12 beat Tava’esina 10, Tonga 37 beat Raluve Biau 0, Raluve Bogi 17 drew with Tava’esina 17, Barbarians 21 beat Maori Girls 21-7.

Koori 36 beat Raluve 5, Tonga 26 beat Manusina 14, Barbarians 12 beat Raluve Bogi 10, Tava’esina White 15 beat Maori 12, Tonga 42 beat Koori Girls 0, Manusina 43 beat Raluve 0

The 16 Girls match between NSW Maori and Samoa.

GIRLS 7S U16

The Maori girls side won Pool A and Manusina dominated Pool B before the crossover.

FINAL: Maori Girls 7 beat Manusina Blue Girls 0

There were happy faces all around at the first event.

Barbarians Girls 34 beat Raluve Bogi 5, Tava’esina White 34 beat Koori Girls 10, Tonga 19 beat Raluve Biau 12, Tonga 43 beat Koori Girls 0, Manusina 29 beat Raluve Bogi 5, Maori 22 beat Barbarians 10, Raluve 38 beat Tava’esina 10, Raluve 17 beat Koori Girls 5, Manusina 17 beat Tonga 5, Maori 40 beat Tava’esina 0, Raluve 24 beat Barbarians 12, Manusina 47 beat Koori 0, Tonga 41 beat Raluve 0, Barbarians 26 beat Tava’esina 10, Maori 20 beat Raluve 5.

Young female players impressed in their two age groups.

The action in the U17 Tonga and Samoa match was intense.

Plenty of happy faces in the 14s game between NSW Maori and Samoa.

Hard-hitting action from the NSW Maori and Samoan match.

The event started on Friday and concluded on Saturday.

Two age groups were played in the girls Sevens tournament.

Pre game ahead of the NSW Maori and Samoa match.

Nathaniel Tolu scoring for Samoa.

Officials hope to make the event a regular tournament.

Players from across NSW competed at the event.

The final of the 15s tournament between Tonga and Samoa.

Photographer Julian Andrews was at the event to capture all the action and colour.

The event was played in rugby league territory.

A player on the burst in the Tonga and Samoa match.

Some of the best young footballers in the state played.

The event was held at Mount Druitt with Sydney Rugby Juniors hoping it attracts new players to the game.

There was passion and pride in abundance at the event.

There were some great tussles in the U16 NSW Maori and Samoa match.

NSW Maori and Samoan players mix it up.

Organisers are planning for the event to return in 2023.

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Originally published as Pacifica Youth Rugby Cup 2022 winners, photo special, result wrap at inaugural Sydney tournament