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.
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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 |
