Women's ANZAC Test ANZAC Test Papua New Guinea vs Fiji men in Australia The 2016 Melanesian Cup was played between
Papua New Guinea and
Fiji. Papua New Guinea created history to win their first Melanesian Cup title. The test looked in a similar situation to last year when Fiji took a comfortable lead into the break but this time around Papua New Guinea scored enough points in the second half to outscore their pacific rivals and win their first major title since the
2009 Pacific Cup. Captain David Mead shone for the Kumuls as he made try-saving tackles, assists and even line breaks in a man-of-the-match performance which was a crucial influence to earning his country's first win on away soil since the year 2000. Fiji picked 7 débutantes for the test match, while PNG featured five players making their first ever International appearance for their country. Both teams had a fair share of NRL, Queensland or New South Wales Cup, as well as domestic club players. Papua New Guinea's most capped player was
Rod Griffin who made his 10th appearance for his country, while Fiji's most experienced player was
Akuila Uate who made his 12th appearance for his country.
Gold Coast's David Mead captained Papua New Guinea, and
Port Kembla Blacks' James Storer led Fiji.
Notes: • This was the first of the two
2016 Pacific Rugby League Tests. • The win was Papua New Guinea's first win on foreign soil since the
2000 World Cup. • With the victory, Papua New Guinea now hold the Melanesian Cup shield. •
Rod Griffin made his 10th test appearance for Papua New Guinea. •
James Storer made his 10th test appearance for Fiji. •
Justin Olam,
Stargroth Amean,
Watson Boas,
Henry Wan and
Kurt Baptiste made their international debuts for Papua New Guinea while
Etuate Qionimacawa,
Sitiveni Moceidreke,
Maurice Kennedy,
Ben Nakubuwai,
Tui Kamikamica,
Tevita Cottrell and
Jokatama Dokonivalu made their international debuts for Fiji.
Samoa vs Tonga men in Australia The 2016 Polynesian Cup was played between
Samoa and
Tonga. Samoa defeated Tonga to win their second consecutive Polynesian Cup title. The strong crowd would always show their passion and loud screaming support throughout the game after big hits, strong runs and intense moments were key talking points. However a total of 29 errors and a completion rate of just over 50% from both countries was a headache for everyone to watch. Despite Tonga having 55% possession and more territory, they didn't score and the Samoans made them pay by taking their few second-half opportunities that were given to them resulting in another Samoan victory over their old 'War rivals'. Samoa picked 7 débutantes for the test match, while Tonga featured three. Both teams' players varied from National Rugby League players to Queensland or New South Wales Cup to
Holden Cup and to the
Super League. Samoa's most capped player was
Leeson Ah Mau who made his 10th appearance for his country, while Tonga's most experienced player was
Feleti Mateo who made his 13th appearance for his country. English Super League club
Hull F.C. gave permission for two players to leave England and play in the Polynesian Cup test; coincidentally they were captain of both nations. Frank Pritchard captained Samoa, and Sika Manu led Tonga.
Notes: • This was the second of the two
2016 Pacific Rugby League Tests. • With the victory, Samoa retain the Polynesian Cup shield. •
Leeson Ah Mau made his 10th test appearance for Samoa. •
Kirisome Auva'a,
Fa'amanu Brown,
Erin Clark,
Junior Paulo,
Kaysa Pritchard,
Raymond Faitala-Mariner and
John Asiata made their international debuts for Samoa while
David Fusitu'a,
Patrick Kaufusi and
Sione Katoa made their international debuts for Tonga.
Lebanon vs Cook Islands men in Australia == June ==