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1977 Pacific Cup

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
1977 (1977) Pacific Cup  ()
Number of teams5
Host country New Zealand
Winner Māori (2nd title)
Matches played11
 < 1975
1986

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.

Background

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The 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

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Each team was allowed to choose a 22-man squad for the tournament.

Team of the Tournament

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Following 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

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An 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

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14 September 1977
Western Australia 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

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17 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 Western Australia 10 – 14  Victoria
Tries: Fielding, Mitchell
Goals: Rice (2)
[6]
Tries: Hall, Watts
Goals: Wakefield (4)

Round 3

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18 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

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21 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 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

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Final

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27 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)
Carlaw Park, Auckland
Referee: Ray Seymour[8]

References

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "All Maoris from north". The Press. Christchurch. 17 August 1977. p. 38 – via Papers Past.
  3. ^ "Stars' exclusion an injustice". Post-Courier. Papua New Guinea. 8 September 1977. p. 23 – via Trove.
  4. ^ a b "League cup to Maoris". The Press. Christchurch. 30 September 1977. p. 28 – via Papers Past.
  5. ^ a b "Maoris defend league cup". The Press. Christchurch. 15 September 1977. p. 28 – via Papers Past.
  6. ^ a b c d "Maori league walk-over". The Press. Christchurch. 19 September 1977. p. 3.
  7. ^ a b "W. Australia, Maoris in league final?". The Press. Christchurch. 22 September 1977. p. 32.
  8. ^ "Maoris retain the cup with ease". Papua New Guinea Post-Courier. 28 September 1977. p. 36.
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