After a stunning opening weekend of the Pacific Championships that saw the Kangaroos hold Tonga scoreless, the Jillaroos run in 84 points and the Kumuls stun the Bati, we are back for Week 2 with Australia playing New Zealand in both the men and the women and the Cook Islands making their first showing in the Bowl tournament.
Surprisingly enough, Cook Islands are far more advanced in their women’s Rugby League journey than Fiji.
Fiji are playing just their sixth Test – and just their fourth since 2019, last year they were soundly beaten by Samoa 26-12.
Meanwhile the Cook Islands have played at the 2003, 2017 and 2022 World Cup and were only just beat by PNG last year.
Fiji have some notable names like Cassie Staples, Talei Holmes and Taina Navidi but led by Kiana Takairangi and Charntay Poko, Cook Islands will be the bet if they are an outsider.
Recommended Bets
- Best: No betting available but any plus Cook Islands is a bet.
Betting in this game is just plain wrong, Cook Islands +14.5 is a gift from the gods as they can win and win big.
They can be bet across the board as anyone who saw Fiji last week can see what a bad team they are, one that has been poorly selected and poorly prepared.
They have some big names but it was the likes of Kikau and Sivo who were among the Bati’s worst, the kicking game was abhorrent while there was no organisation.
They meet a Cook Islands team coached by a professional in Karmichael Hunt and one that possesses eight players with NRL experience along with some talented players in sub-elite competitions.
Fiji are just 6-5-1 all-time against the Cook Islands and won by just four when the teams met last year.
This line is far too big, Steven Marsters has scored in four of the last six Tests he has played for the Cook Islands and Reuben Rennie comes off a strong tryscoring season for Toulouse Olympique.
Recommended Bets
- Best: Cook Islands +14.5 ($1.90)
- Next: Cook Islands 13+ ($11.50)
- Tryscorer: Steven Marsters ($13 First, $2.20 Anytime)
- SGM: Steven Marsters Try/Reubenn Rennie Try ($8.26)
Australia barely worked up a sweat last week when running in 17 tries to roll the PNG Orchids 84-0.
They will face a much stiffer Test this week when they travel to Christchurch to meet the Kiwi Ferns in likely wet and cold conditions.
Australia get Ali Brigginshaw back while Quincy Dodd is out injured. New Zealand have named a very strong team with arguably a superior pack.
These teams met in two Tests last year and both were decided by margins of six.
In tough conditions and with New Zealand well-coached and naming such a strong side, the plus is a very good bet. Amber Hall enjoyed a breakout season for the Roosters where she scored five tries in 10 appearances.
Annessa Biddle is a rising superstar who scored four tries this season and has crossed in two of three Tests and Jakiya Whitfeld is close to the fastest player on the field and comes off scoring five against PNG.
Recommended Bets
- Best: New Zealand +6.5 ($1.90)
- Next: New Zealand Win ($3.00)
- Tryscorer: Amber Hall ($5.50)
- SGM: Annessa Biddle Try/Jakiya Whitfeld Try ($10.00)
Australia were far from impressive last week in downing Tonga but will be better for the run and look a good bet against a shaky-looking Kiwis outfit.
The Kangaroos had no concerns with effort last week when keeping Tonga scoreless but it is hard to recall an Australian team that made so many elementary errors.
The attack looked clunky, the main cause, but Mal Meninga not making any changes is a positive as he will try to build cohesion.
There are a few concerns for the Kiwis, notably Phoenix Crossland being named at hooker, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad playing at No.6 and a very poor bench.
Australia will have revenge for their 30-0 loss last year front and centre and with the Kangaroos having won five of the last 10 against the Kiwis by more than 18 points, the minus looks a very good bet. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has barely played a rep game without scoring and has 30 tries in his last 36 games.
Tom Trbojevic has four tries in five Tests and Tom Dearden is a very good try sneak coming off his best tryscoring season.
Recommended Bets
- Best: Australia -11.5 ($1.90)
- Next: Australia 30+ ($5.25)
- Tryscorer: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow Try ($10.50 First, $1.85 Anytime)
- SGM: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow Try/Tom Trbojevic Try/Tom Dearden Try ($14.63)