The 2009 Pacific Cup, known as the 2009 SP Brewery Pacific Cup due to sponsorship,[1] was a rugby league competition held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.[2] The competing teams were the Cook Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tonga.[2]
Tonga, Fiji and PNG had their places in the draw confirmed initially, [2] with the Cook Islands defeating Samoa in a Pacific Cup qualifier in Cairns on 17 October 2009 to decide which team took the final place in the tournament.[2]
The four Pacific Cup matches were played at Lloyd Robson Oval on 24-25 October and 31 October.[2] The Pacific Cup final was played on 1 November 2009 between Papua New Guinea and the Cook Islands.[2] By winning the 2009 Pacific Cup, Papua New Guinea won the right to compete in the 2010 Four Nations tournament.
Brian Canavan was granted the role of tournament director by the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF).[2]
[edit] Matches
[edit] Qualifying
[edit] Round Robin Matches
[edit] Third place Playoff
{{rugbyleaguebox | bg = #eeeeee | date = 1 November 2009 | team1 = 
Papua New Guinea | score = 42 - 14| report = Report | team2 = 
Cook Islands| points1 = Try: David Mead (2)
Menzie Yere (2) Richard Kambo
Anton Kui
Charlie Wabo | points2 = Try: Sema Mataora
Lulia Lulia
Brad Takairangi Goal: Ben Taia | stadium = Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea| attendance = 15000[6]| referee= |Chris James
[edit] Telecast Details
The Pacific Cup will be shown in the UK, Australia, and throughout the Pacific.[7].
- In Australia all matches will be broadcast by NRL.com while the Nine Network will show a one hour highlight package each weekend.
- In Britain matches will be broadcast on BSkyB.
- FM100 radio will broadcast to Papua New Guinea and the Pacific.
- In Papua New Guinea EM TV will broadcast terrestrially to more than half of the population.
- Fiji TV will broadcast the games in Fiji on its free to air service Fiji One and on its Sky Pacific platform to the rest of the Pacific Region.
- Arrangements are currently being made for terrestrial coverage in other Pacific Island nations.
[edit] Squads
[edit] Mate Ma'a Tonga
Tonga have played a Pacific Cup warm up match against New Zealand as they prepare for the Four Nations. New Zealand defeated Tonga 40-24 in what was a strong performance by the Tongans as they prepare for their Pacific Cup opener against Papua New Guinea[8].
[edit] Cook Islands
Coach: David Fairleigh (Parramatta Eels)[11]
- Alex Glenn was originally named but withdrew after a groin injury required surgery.[12]
[edit] Toa Samoa
Coach: Willie Poching (Leeds Rhinos)[13]
[edit] Papua New Guinea Kumuls
Coach: Adrian Lam (Sydney Roosters)[14][15]
[edit] Fiji Bati
Coach: Terry Gilogely[16][15]
[edit] References
- ^ SP Brewery to sponsor Pacific Cup, NRL.com
- ^ a b c d e f g ARL (Press Release) (2009-07-28). "Pacific Cup announced". Australian Rugby League. http://www.australianrugbyleague.com.au/news/article.php?id=1323. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
- ^ http://www.nrl.com/newsviews/latestnews/newsarticle/tabid/10874/newsid/57129/cook-islands-progress-to-pacific-cup/default.aspx
- ^ International Results 2009 Rugby League International Scores, 24 October 2009
- ^ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/png-thrash-tonga-to-reach-pacific-cup-final/story-e6frexnr-1225791088830
- ^ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/png-win-place-in-four-nations/comments-e6frexnr-1225793305420
- ^ Catch the Pacific Cup live on NRL.com NRL.com, 14 October 2009
- ^ Kiwis withstand Tongan onslaught TVNZ, 14 October 2009
- ^ Mateo to headline Tonga's act in Test NRL.com, 8 October 2009
- ^ Mateo to lead Tonga into Pacific Cup NRL.com, 13 October 2009
- ^ Roosters gain international stripes sydneyroosters.com.au, 7 October 2009
- ^ Glenn out of Cook Islands squad NRL.com, 15 October 2009
- ^ Poching names strong Samoan squad therhinos.co.uk, 6 October 2009
- ^ Kumuls named The National, 12 October 2009
- ^ a b PNG and Fiji finalise squads for Pacific Cup NRL.com, 19 October 2009
- ^ 2009 Pacific Cup: Squads NRL.com, 10 October 2009
