Who will win the Pacific Championships 2023? Predictions, best bets, Australia odds and tips

Joshua Mayne

Who will win the Pacific Championships 2023? Predictions, best bets, Australia odds and tips image

The inaugural edition of the Pacific Championships is almost here, with the best rugby league players in the region to do battle.

The tournament is split into two pools — the Pacific Cup and Pacific Bowl — with six nations participating.

The Sporting News takes a closer look at the betting markets ahead of the event.

MORE: Pacific Championships 2023 - Confirmed team lists

Pacific Cup odds, prediction, best bet

Australia, New Zealand and Samoa will contest the Pacific Cup, with a number of big names set to feature.

Even without star halfback Nathan Cleary, the sheer quality of the Australian squad is too hard to ignore.

They're a short price at $1.36 but deserve to be strong favourites. 

MORE: Panthers fullback reacts to shock Kangaroos call-up

The Kiwis sit on the second line of betting but may lack the polish and experience to win it all.

Seven potential debutants have been named by coach Michael Maguire as a fresh slate of talent emerges in New Zealand.

Samoa represent plenty of value at $10.00 as they look to build upon their 2022 World Cup final appearance.

Their team is full of rising and established NRL stars, although Jarome Luai is a notable omission in the halves.

Matches may be closer than expected, but Australia should emerge from the tournament undefeated and as the ultimate victors.

Pacific Cup: Australia, New Zealand, Samoa odds

Australia $1.36
New Zealand $3.50
Samoa $10.00

Odds via TAB — last updated October 12.

Pacific Bowl odds, prediction, best bet

Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Cook Islands are set to compete in the inaugural Pacific Bowl.

Jack de Belin will notably make his Test debut for PNG after being named at lock, with the experienced Alex Johnston to line up at fullback.

Entering the tournament as $1.50 favourites, we can expect the fervent atmosphere in Port Moresby to spur them on.

Fiji represent their greatest threat, with several prominent NRL players in their squad, including Tui Kamikamica and Parramatta duo Waqa Blake and Maika Sivo.

They were inconsistent at last year's World Cup but showed signs of promise, notably in their narrow loss to New Zealand.

As for the Cook Islands, it will require something special from them to take home the trophy, listed as $23.00 outsiders.

They will still be worth keeping an eye on though, with exciting players such as Kayal Iro set to use the tournament to propel themselves into NRL debut consideration for 2024.

In what is likely to be a two-horse race, we're backing a fast and physical Fiji side to win it all.

Pacific Bowl: Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Cook Islands odds

Papua New Guinea $1.50
Fiji $2.55
Cook Islands $23.00

Odds via TAB — last updated October 12.

Pacific Championships 2023 draw, fixtures, schedule 

DATE TEAMS LOCATION TIME (AEDT)
Sat, 14 October Australia V Samoa Townsville 7:10 pm
Sun, 15 October PNG v Cook Islands Port Moresby 3:00 pm
Sat, 21 October New Zealand v Samoa Auckland 3:00 pm
Sun, 22 October Fiji v Cook Islands Port Moresby 3:00 pm
Sat, 28 October Australia v New Zealand Melbourne 7:10 pm
Sun, 29 October PNG v Fiji Port Moresby 3:00 pm
Pool A final  TBD v TBD Hamilton 2:00 pm
Pool B final TBD v TBD Port Moresby 3:00 pm

Joshua Mayne

Joshua Mayne Photo

Joshua Mayne is a content producer for The Sporting News Australia based in Sydney, Australia. He has previously worked as a newsreader at 2SER and journalist at Ministry of Sport. While Joshua’s main passions are football, rugby league, basketball and F1, he will watch any sport that's on. He is still waiting for Arsenal to win the Premier League again.