1975 Pacific Cup

1975 (1975) Pacific Cup  ()
Number of teams4
Host country PNG
Winner Māori (1st title)
Matches played7
1977

The 1975 Pacific Cup was the first edition of the Pacific Cup, a rugby league tournament held between Pacific teams. The tournament was hosted by Papua New Guinea and eventually won by the New Zealand Māori side, who defeated the hosts 38-13 in the final.

Background

The 1975 Pacific Cup was initiated by the New South Wales Rugby League. The tournament involved two Australian state sides as well as Papua New Guinea, who did not yet have Test match status, and the New Zealand Māori.[1]

The Northern Territory were invited to participate, but had to drop out after Darwin was devastated by Cyclone Tracy.[2]

Squads

Results

Team Pld W D L Pts
1  Māori 3 3 0 0 6
2  Papua New Guinea 3 2 0 1 4
3 Western Australia Western Australia 3 1 0 2 2
4 Victoria (state) Victoria 3 0 0 3 0

Round 1

4 May 1975
Western Australia Western Australia 23 – 21 Victoria (state) Victoria
Tries: Haris-Walker (2), Kelly
Goals: Clarke (7)
[3]
Tries: King (2), Tehei, Smith, Hoyle
Goals: Tehei (3)
4 May 1975
Papua New Guinea  15 – 41  Māori
Tries: Bubol (2), Guere
Goals: Heiler (3)
[3]
Tries: Ah Kuoi (2), Bolton, W. Sorensen, Chetham, Matete, Waikai, Wilson, Netzler
Goals: Wilson (7)

Round 2

Round 3

Final

References

  1. ^ a b John Coffey, Bernie Wood (2008). 100 years: Māori rugby league, 1908-2008. Huia Publishers. pp. 191–193. ISBN 978-1-86969-331-2.
  2. ^ International Competitions 1975 The Vault
  3. ^ a b Cepulis, Charles (5 May 1975). "Maoris Too Big And Strong For PNG". Post-Courier. Papua New Guinea. p. 24 – via Trove.