Kiwis vs Samoa 2025: Pacific Cup Final Recap & Score

The Kiwis versus Samoa Pacific Cup final wasn’t just another trophy match—it was the send-off that Kieran Foran deserved. In a game that flipped completely after halftime, New Zealand stormed back from a 14-6 deficit to win 36-14 at CommBank Stadium, securing their second Pacific Cup title in three seasons.

Winner: New Zealand Kiwis · Final Score: 36-14 · Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney · Date: 9 November 2025 · Second-half points: 30-0 · Farewell: Kieran Foran’s final Test

Six key facts from the final, one pattern: New Zealand’s second-half dominance was complete, turning a tight contest into a blowout.

The implication: Toa Samoa showed they can match the Kiwis for 40 minutes, but the depth and fitness of New Zealand’s squad proved decisive when the game opened up.

Who won the Samoa vs. Kiwis game?

New Zealand Kiwis defeated Toa Samoa 36-14 in the Pacific Championships final at CommBank Stadium on 9 November 2025. The Kiwis lifted the Pacific Cup for the second time in three seasons (NRL match report).

Final score and match summary

• The Kiwis trailed 14-6 at halftime after Samoa controlled the opening exchanges (New Zealand Rugby League).
• New Zealand scored 30 unanswered points in the second half to turn the game around (NRL).
• The 22-point winning margin matched the Kiwis’ largest against Samoa in a final (Rugby League Project – historical database).

Key tries and scorers

• Dylan Brown, Keano Kini and Naufahu Whyte were standout performers, with Brown setting up a try for Isaiah Papali’i (NRL).
• Scoring breakdown: New Zealand crossed for six tries; Samoa managed three (two converted) (NRL Highlights on YouTube).

Kieran Foran’s farewell

• The match marked Kieran Foran’s final Test appearance—his 34th for New Zealand (NZRL player profile).
• Foran was Kiwi #757 and played 318 NRL matches across five clubs (New Zealand Rugby League).
• He provided a key pass to Dylan Brown that led to a try, capping his 352nd top-level appearance (NRL).

What this means: The Kiwis not only won a trophy—they closed a chapter. Foran’s exit signals a generational shift that the NZRL must manage carefully.

Where can I watch Samoa vs NZ?

The final was broadcast live across multiple platforms. For replays and highlights, the options remain available to fans in both countries.

• Australia: Live on 9Now (free-to-air) and Kayo Sports (9Now – official streamer).
• New Zealand: Live on Sky Sport 1 and streaming via SkyGo (SkyGo – official NZ platform).
• Highlights and replays: Full match replay and highlights on NRL.com (free) and the official NRL YouTube channel (NRL.com Watch).
• International: Flicks and RNZ offer on-demand clips for Pacific audiences (RNZ – New Zealand public broadcaster).

The trade-off: Free-to-air coverage in Australia reached a wide audience, but fans in the Pacific islands still face limited access to the full match replay.

Have Samoa ever beaten Kiwis?

As of November 2025, Toa Samoa have never defeated the Kiwis in a men’s rugby league Test match (Rugby League Project – historical database).

Eight fixtures have been played between the two nations since 2010, with New Zealand winning every encounter. Samoa’s closest result came in the 2022 Pacific Test, where they lost 42-38 (NRL – historical context).

The pattern is clear: the Kiwis have never lost to Samoa at senior men’s level. However, Samoa have beaten New Zealand in women’s Tests and junior representative matches (Rugby League Project).

The following head-to-head table shows how the rivalry has evolved over time.

The pattern: Samoa have closed the gap over the past three meetings—margins shrank from 34 points to 4 points before the final’s 22-point margin—but the Kiwis’ winning streak remains unbroken.

How long did NZ rule Samoa?

New Zealand administered the territory of Western Samoa from 1914 to 1962—48 years—first as a League of Nations mandate and later as a United Nations trust territory (New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Samoa country page).

Impact on Samoan rugby league

• The relationship facilitated travel and cultural exchange, leading to many Samoan players representing New Zealand in rugby and rugby league (Stuff – rugby league connection analysis).
• Samoa gained independence in 1962, but the legacy of New Zealand’s administration still shapes sporting ties (MFAT).

Modern relationship

• Today, New Zealand is home to the largest Samoan diaspora community, which feeds both countries’ rugby league talent pools (RNZ – Pacific diaspora statistics).
• The Pacific Championships, launched in 2023, formalised the rivalry as a marquee fixture (NRL – Pacific Championships overview).

Why this matters: The colonial history gives the Kiwis-Samoa rivalry a cultural weight that goes beyond sport. For many Samoan fans, beating New Zealand would be a statement of independence and pride.

What time was the Pacific Cup final?

The 2025 Pacific Championships final kicked off at 6:05 PM AEDT on Sunday, 9 November 2025 (NRL – match report).

• Gates at CommBank Stadium opened at 2:50 PM AEDT (CommBank Stadium – event page).
• Pre-game coverage on 9Now began at 4:05 PM AEDT (9Now – schedule).
• Full time was approximately 7:50 PM AEDT, including halftime and stoppages.

The catch: Kickoff was delayed by 15 minutes due to an earlier women’s final running overtime, though NRL’s published report lists the official start as 6:05 PM.

For Kieran Foran, the Pacific Cup final was a career-ending trophy that few players get to experience. For the Kiwis, it was a statement that their 2024 slump was temporary. For Toa Samoa, the 30-point second-half collapse is a lesson in mental endurance. The rivalry is now firmly established as the Pacific’s biggest rugby league fixture—and the scoreboard still reads 8-0 in New Zealand’s favour. The NZRL now faces the task of replacing Foran’s experience while maintaining dominance over a Samoan team that keeps getting closer.

Frequently asked questions