The 1977 Pacific Cup was the second edition of the Pacific Cup, a rugby league tournament held between Pacific teams. The tournament was hosted by New Zealand and eventually won by the New Zealand Māori side, who defeated Western Australia 35-12 in the final.
| 1977 Pacific Cup | |
|---|---|
| Number of teams | 5 |
| Host country |  New Zealand |
| Winner |  Māori (2nd title) |
| Matches played | 11 |
< 1975 1986 > | |
Background
editThe 1977 Pacific Cup was run by the New South Wales Rugby League, following the success of the inaugural 1975 Pacific Cup. The tournament involved three Australian state sides as well as Papua New Guinea, who did not yet have Test match status, and the New Zealand Māori.[1] In the end the 1977 Pacific Cup proved to be expensive to run and resulted in the cancellation of the planned 1979 Pacific Cup.
Squads
editEach team was allowed to choose a 22-man squad for the tournament.
- New Zealand Māori: Reg Tamihere, Noel Rollo, James Leuluai, Pesa Sua, Ray Harris, Dennis Key, Murray Netzler, Neil Aspin, John Wilson, Josh Liavaa, T. Tolea, Ian Bell, K. Jenkinson (Auckland); Dick Uluave (Manawatu); C. Morgan, Warren Rangi, Harry Waikai, Rick Muru, Pop Raihe (c) (Waikato); Jack Knuckey (Taranaki); Eddie Orchard (Bay of Plenty); R. Tiananga (Hamilton).[2]
- Papua New Guinea: Dikana Boge, Tara Gau, Bob Greathead, Garia Kora, Steve Malum, Paul Tore, John Wagambie (c), Asi Winnie (Southern Region); Joe Gandel, Sukope Iko, Paul Kombinari, Jack Metta, Alan Rero, Stainer Sapu, Joe Tomerup, Linus Gene (Highlands Region); Openi Geno, Vai Karava, Kaiva Kako (Northern Region); Peter Pais, David Pukuntap, David Tangoa (Islands Region).[3]
Team of the Tournament
editFollowing the final, a 17-man squad was named consisting of the best players in the tournament. Papua New Guinea lock John Wagambie was named the player of the tournament.[4]
- New Zealand Māori: John Wilson, Ray Harris, Eddie Orchard, Dennis Key, Murray Netzler, Ian Bell, Warren Rangi;
- Papua New Guinea: Bob Greathead, John Wagambie, Alan Rero, Tara Gau
- Western Australia: Martin Ridley, John Fielding, Alec Lockley
- Northern Territory: Brian Allia, Bob Dowie
- Victoria: Dave McFee
Results
editAn opening ceremony was held at Turangawaewae Marae in Huntly.[1]
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Māori
|
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 2 |  Western Australia
|
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| 3 |  Papua New Guinea
|
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| 4 |  Northern Territory
|
4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| 5 |  Victoria
|
4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
Round 1
edit14 September 1977
|
| Western Australia
|
33 – 19 | Papua New Guinea
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Dixon (2), Fielding (2), Castle, Walls, Ridley, Mitchell, Kennedy Goals: Rice (2), Walls |
[5] |
Tries: Tore, Bais, Boge Goals: Geni (3), Kombinari (2) |
Davies Park, Huntly
|
14 September 1977
|
| Māori
|
27 – 10 | Northern Territory
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Uluave (2), Tamihere, Morgan, Rangi, Sua, Leuluai Goals: Tamihere (3) |
[5] |
Tries: de la Cruz, Rogers Goals: Allia, Walker |
Davies Park, Huntly
|
Round 2
edit17 September 1977
|
| Māori
|
25 – 17 | Papua New Guinea
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Rangi, Toloa, Aspin, Key, Uluave Goals: Tamihere (5) |
[6] |
Tries: Malum (3) Goals: Kombinari (4) |
17 September 1977
|
| Western Australia
|
10 – 14 | Victoria
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Fielding, Mitchell Goals: Rice (2) |
[6] |
Tries: Hall, Watts Goals: Wakefield (4) |
Round 3
edit18 September 1977
|
| Māori
|
78 – 0 | Victoria
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Leuluai (5), Sua (3), Liavaa (3), Bell (3), Rollo (2), Netzler, Key Goals: Wilson (12) |
[6] |
18 September 1977
|
| Papua New Guinea
|
25 – 14 | Northern Territory
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Rero (3), Kora, Geno Goals: Kombinari (5) |
[6] |
Tries: Mitchell, Dowie, Elliott, Caswell Goals: Castillion |
Round 4
edit21 September 1977
|
| Papua New Guinea
|
42 – 12 | Victoria
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Rero (5), Geno (2), Wagambie (2), Karava Goals: Kombinari (6) |
[7] |
Tries: Hoyle, Wakefield, de Tournouer, Bayne |
Davies Park, Huntly
|
21 September 1977
|
| Western Australia
|
23 – 16 | Northern Territory
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Fielding (2), Dixon, Walls, Bowler Goals: Rice (4) |
[7] |
Tries: Harrison, Mitchell, Walker, Dowie Goals: Castillon (2) |
Davies Park, Huntly
|
Round 5
editFinal
edit27 September 1977
|
| Māori
|
35 – 12 | Western Australia
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Uluave (2), Rangi (2), Sua, Netzler, Tolea, Bell Goals: Wilson (6) |
[4] |
Tries: Walls, Adams Goals: Walls (3) |
References
edit- ^ a b John Coffey, Bernie Wood (2008). 100 years: Māori rugby league, 1908-2008. Huia Publishers. pp. 198–201. ISBN 978-1-86969-331-2.
- ^ "All Maoris from north". The Press. Christchurch. 17 August 1977. p. 38 – via Papers Past.
- ^ "Stars' exclusion an injustice". Post-Courier. Papua New Guinea. 8 September 1977. p. 23 – via Trove.
- ^ a b "League cup to Maoris". The Press. Christchurch. 30 September 1977. p. 28 – via Papers Past.
- ^ a b "Maoris defend league cup". The Press. Christchurch. 15 September 1977. p. 28 – via Papers Past.
- ^ a b c d "Maori league walk-over". The Press. Christchurch. 19 September 1977. p. 3.
- ^ a b "W. Australia, Maoris in league final?". The Press. Christchurch. 22 September 1977. p. 32.
- ^ "Maoris retain the cup with ease". Papua New Guinea Post-Courier. 28 September 1977. p. 36.
External links
edit- International Competitions 1977 The Vault