The 2009 Pacific Cup, known as the 2009 SP Brewery Pacific Cup due to sponsorship,SP Brewery to sponsor Pacific Cup , NRL.com was a rugby league competition held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. The competing teams were the , , , , .
Tonga, Fiji and PNG had their places in the draw confirmed initially, 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.
The four Pacific Cup matches were played at Lloyd Robson Oval on 24–25 October and 31 October. The Pacific Cup final was played on 1 November 2009 between Papua New Guinea and the Cook Islands. By winning the 2009 Pacific Cup, Papua New Guinea won the right to compete in the 2010 Four Nations tournament.
Brian Canavan was appointed as tournament director by the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF).
Matches
Qualifying
Semifinals
Third place Playoff
Final
Telecast Details The Pacific Cup was shown in the UK, Australia, and throughout the Pacific.Catch the Pacific Cup live on NRL.com NRL.com, 14 October 2009 In Australia all matches were broadcast by NRL.com while the Nine Network showed a one-hour highlight package each weekend. In Britain matches were broadcast on BSkyB. FM100 radio broadcast to Papua New Guinea and the Pacific. In Papua New Guinea EM TV broadcast terrestrially to more than half of the population. Fiji TV 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.
Squads
Mate Ma'a Tonga Tonga played a Pacific Cup warm up match against New Zealand. New Zealand defeated Tonga 40–24 in what was a strong performance by the Tongans as they prepared for their Pacific Cup opener against Papua New Guinea.Kiwis withstand Tongan onslaught TVNZ, 14 October 2009 Coach: Rohan SmithMateo to headline Tonga's act in Test NRL.com, 8 October 2009Mateo to lead Tonga into Pacific Cup NRL.com, 13 October 2009
Club Team PlayersBulldogsPaki AfuPenrith PanthersAndrew EmelioNewcastle KnightsRichard Fa'aoso, Sione TovoCanberra RaidersSam HuihahauPapakura Sea EaglesToshio LaiseniWakefield Trinity WildcatsTevita Leo-LatuHullEpalahame Lauaki, Sam Moa, Willie ManuNew Zealand WarriorsSiuatonga Likiliki, Ukuma Ta'aiMelbourne StormPita MaileParramatta EelsFeleti Mateo, Etuate Uaisele, Eliakim UasiCronulla SharksEddie Paea, Atelea Vea, Siosia Vave, Inoke Tapa'atoutaiSouth Australian RugbyJoel Taufa'aoManly-Warringah Sea EaglesTony Williams, Junior Palau
Cook Islands Coach: David Fairleigh (Parramatta Eels)Roosters gain international stripes sydneyroosters.com.au, 7 October 2009
Club Team PlayersSydney RoostersAnthony Gelling, Sam BruntonPenrith PanthersTinirau Arona, Geoff DanielaShellharbour DragonsDaniel FepuleaiNewcastle KnightsJohnathon Ford, Keith Lulia, Zane TetevanoNewtown JetsTere GlassieBrisbane BroncosAlex GlennMelbourne StormFred MakimareBulldogsJoe MatapukuNorth Sydney BearsVincent NgaroGold Coast TitansDominique PeyrouxWests TigersManikura TikinauEastern Suburbs TigersBen VaeauSouth Sydney RabbitohsBrad TakairangiWynnum Manly SeagullsLeon PanapaCronulla-Sutherland SharksJohn Viiga Alex Glenn was originally named but withdrew after a groin injury required surgery.Glenn out of Cook Islands squad NRL.com, 15 October 2009
Toa Samoa Coach: Willie Poching (Leeds Rhinos)Poching names strong Samoan squad therhinos.co.uk, 6 October 2009
Club Team PlayersNew Zealand WarriorsPatrick Ah VanCronulla SharksJack Afamasaga, Terrence Seu Seu, Misi TaulapapaSamoa DomesticPaul Chan Tung, Tanielu Pasene, Lepupa TaulagiWigan WarriorsHarrison HansenPenrith PanthersMasada Iosefa, Joseph PauloLeeds RhinosKylie LeuluaiSalford City RedsPhillip LeuluaiNewcastle KnightsPeter Mata'utia, Mark TaufuaSt Helens R.F.C.Francis Meli, Tony PuletuaSt George Illawarra DragonsKyle StanleyEastern Suburbs TigersAlbert TalipeauGold Coast TitansSam TagataeseSheffield EaglesTangi Ropati
Papua New Guinea Kumuls Coach: Adrian Lam (Sydney Roosters)Kumuls named The National, 12 October 2009
Club Team PlayersGold Coast TitansDavid MeadWentworthville MagpiesRichard KamboNewtown Jets/Sydney RoostersTu’u MaoriPenrith PanthersKeith PetersRedcliffe DolphinsJames NightingaleNorthern PrideJay Aston, Rod GriffinCrusadersJason ChanSalford City RedsJohn WilshereNorth Queensland CowboysTyson MartinMelbourne StormJoe BondAgmark GuriasDion Aiye, Rodney Pora, George MoniSBS MuruksJessie Joe Parker, Anton KuiBintangor LahanisSigfred Gande, Glen NamiHunslet HawksCharlie WaboSheffield EaglesMenzie Yere
Fiji Bati Coach: Terry GilogelyPNG and Fiji finalise squads for Pacific Cup NRL.com, 19 October 20092009 Pacific Cup: Squads NRL.com, 10 October 2009
Club Team PlayersPolice SharksOsea Sadrau, Jone WeseleLautoka CrushersIowane DivavesiSouthern Districts RebelsPuna RasaubaleCabramatta Two BluesDonas GockMoore Park BrumbiesHamilton HughesWentworthville MagpiesLepani WaqaNadera PanthersSevanaia Koroi, Sitiveni Ralogaivau, Asaeli SaravakiNewtown JetsRyan MillardNewcastle KnightsWes Naiqama, Kevin Naiqama, Akuila UateNew Zealand WarriorsMeli KoliavuLeeds RhinosMike RatuCoral Coast CowboysJone Macilai, Joe Ravueta, Alipate Tani, Kaliova Tani
References