Australia will take on Samoa and New Zealand after the NRL season finishes

International rugby league will return to Australia in October and November for both men’s and women’s national teams.

The Kangaroos will be back in action later this year. Picture: George Wood/Getty Images

Townsville and Melbourne have been locked in to host the world champion Kangaroos in international clashes with Samoa and New Zealand after the 2023 NRL season finishes.

The Australian Rugby League Commission confirmed details of a Pacific Championships involving international men’s and women’s matches in October and November this year.

Six men’s teams and seven women’s teams will take part in the 2023 tournament across two pools, with the Australian women’s team, the Jillaroos, to play their Kiwi opponents twice as double-headers with the men’s team.

A third match is likely for the Kangaroos should they win both matches, with a “final” to be played in Hamilton, New Zealand on November 4.

“The 2023 Pacific Championships will showcase the best of international rugby league in matches across three countries. Importantly, the international matches will be highlighted by both men’s and women’s matches,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.

“The southern hemisphere tournaments will deliver on the broader NRL Pacific Strategy objectives – to create pathways for aspiring athletes, coaches, referees and administrators from the Pacific along with further growing international rugby league.”

James Tedesco and Kezie Apps hold their respective World Cup trophies after victories in 2022. Picture: Oli Scarff / AFP

Last week, Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga committed to having World Cup winning captain James Tedesco in his squad despite critics calling for the elevation of star fullbacks including Penrith’s Dylan Edwards.

“I know that Teddy wants to play. He wants to play the international program and I think that‘s fantastic because, hey, you’re only on this earth once upon a time,” Meninga told SEN.

“If you’re good enough and you’re playing well enough and you’re the captain of the Aussie team, you want to keep that going.

“If the Roosters don’t make (the finals), they finish early September, that gives him four weeks of rest, so I see that as a benefit.”

Pacific Championships schedule

Week 1 – October 14-15

Australia v Samoa (men) and Australia v New Zealand (women) at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

PNG v Cook Islands (men) and Samoa v Fiji (women) at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby

Week 2 – October 21-22

New Zealand v Samoa (men) and New Zealand v Tonga (women) at Eden Park, Auckland

Fiji v Cook Islands (men) and PNG v Cook Islands (women) at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby

Week 3 – October 28-29

Australia v New Zealand (men and women) at AAMI Park, Melbourne

PNG v Fiji (men) at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby

Week 4 – November 4-5

Final of the men’s Pacific Cup tournament on November 4 in Hamilton, New Zealand

Final of the men’s Pacific Bowl tournament on November 5 at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby