The New Zealand Kiwis turned an eight-point deficit into a commanding 36-14 victory over Toa Samoa on November 9, 2025, claiming their second Pacific Championships title at CommBank Stadium in Sydney. The 4:05pm AEDT kickoff time worked for viewers across three time zones.

Final Score: New Zealand Kiwis 36-14 Samoa · Kick-off: 4:05pm AEDT · Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney · Winner: New Zealand Kiwis

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Kiwis won 36-14 at CommBank Stadium (NZ Herald)
  • Kickoff at 4:05pm AEDT / 6:05pm NZDT / 5:05am GMT (Rugby World)
2What’s unclear
  • Individual try-scorer breakdown from the final
  • Official attendance figures for the match
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Tournament expansion anticipated for 2026 cycle
  • Toa Samoa rebuilding with Pacific talent pool
Detail Information
Event Pacific Championships Final
Teams New Zealand Kiwis vs Toa Samoa
Date 9 November 2025
Kick-off 4:05pm AEDT / 6:05pm NZDT
Score Kiwis 36-14 Samoa
Venue CommBank Stadium, Sydney

What time is the Kiwis vs. Samoa final?

The Pacific Championships Final kicked off at 4:05pm AEDT on November 9, 2025. For viewers in New Zealand, that translated to 6:05pm local time under NZDT, while UK audiences needed to tune in at 5:05am GMT.

Kick-off in AEDT

The 4:05pm AEDT start time placed the match in the late afternoon slot typical for major Pacific rugby league finals. According to Rugby World, this timing maximised viewership across the trans-Tasman broadcast region.

Local NZ time

New Zealand viewers in the NZDT zone caught the action live at 6:05pm. The double-header earlier on October 19 had seen Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns face Samoa at Go Media Stadium in Auckland, with those matches starting at 6:05pm local time as well.

USA viewing time

American fans faced an early morning slot, with the 4:05pm AEDT start converting to approximately 8:05pm ET on November 8. The NRL’s international streaming platform provided coverage options for viewers outside the primary broadcast markets.

Bottom line: The 4:05pm AEDT kickoff meant NZDT viewers watched at 6:05pm while UK audiences had to wake at 5:05am to catch the action live.

Who won the Toa Samoa vs Kiwis 2025?

The New Zealand Kiwis claimed their second Pacific Championships title with a 36-14 victory over Toa Samoa. The NZ Herald reported that New Zealand turned an eight-point deficit into a commanding win in the second half, with the final margin reflecting their dominance after the break.

Final result confirmation

The Kiwis entered the final as favourites after defeating Samoa 24-18 in the opening round at Go Media Stadium. Their victory on November 9 validated that favouritism, though Samoa showed enough in the first half to suggest their tournament return after missing the 2024 edition was no fluke.

Pacific Cup champions

This championship marked New Zealand’s second Pacific Championships title, establishing them as the tournament’s dominant force in its early years. According to NRL.com, Samoa returned to the men’s Cup draw after touring the UK in 2024, making their final appearance a significant milestone.

Why this matters

The Kiwis’ victory is remembered as one of the best New Zealand victories of the last decade, per NZ Herald. The 22-point margin understates how dominant New Zealand became after weathering Samoa’s early challenge.

What was the Kiwis vs. Samoa score?

The final score read New Zealand 36, Samoa 14 at CommBank Stadium. NRL Highlights on YouTube confirmed the result, which represented the Kiwis’ second Pacific Championships title in the tournament’s short history.

Full-time score

The 36-14 scoreline reflected New Zealand’s tactical adjustment at halftime. After trailing by eight points early, the Kiwis’ superior fitness and structured play in the second half wore down the Samoan defence.

Key scoring moments

Both teams had beaten Tonga in convincing fashion to reach the final, according to Rugby World. Samoa’s ability to score twice against New Zealand in the final demonstrated their growth, even as the Kiwis’ firepower proved decisive.

What time is the Pacific Championship kick off?

The 2025 Pacific Championships ran across three countries and four consecutive weekends, according to NRL.com. Finals day at CommBank Stadium featured a full schedule: gates opened at 11:00am AEDT, with the Women’s Pacific Cup Final at 1:35pm AEDT and the men’s final at 4:05pm AEDT.

Round 1 vs Final timings

The opening round on October 19 featured a double-header at Go Media Stadium with Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns facing Samoa and Fetu Samoa respectively. NRL.com confirmed the Women’s Pacific Cup Final featured the Jillaroos and Kiwi Ferns, with the Jillaroos having defeated the Kiwi Ferns 10-4 in their previous meeting at Eden Park.

Broadcast details

Viewers across different regions had distinct viewing options. Rugby World documented the broadcast landscape: Channel 9 with free streaming on 9Now covered Australia, Sky Sport 1 served New Zealand, and Sky Sports broadcast to UK audiences. Sky Sport Now in New Zealand offered a day pass for $29.99 or monthly plan for $54.99, while Sky Sports UK provided long-term TV packages for £35 per month or short-term streaming through NowTV.

The trade-off

International viewers without access to regional broadcasters faced the Watch NRL streaming platform at £39 per month, a premium price for coverage outside Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Islands. Fans in those primary markets had free or lower-cost options.

What time is kick off Samoa vs Kiwis?

The men’s Pacific Championships Final kicked off at 4:05pm AEDT on November 9, 2025. Auckland Stadiums confirmed the earlier Round 1 double-header on October 19 started at 6:05pm local NZ time, with gates opening earlier to accommodate the full schedule.

Stadium gates

NRL.com reported that gates opened at 11am AEDT for the Pacific Championships Finals day, giving fans nearly six hours before the main event. A Men’s World Cup qualifier between Cook Islands and South Africa at 11:25am AEDT opened the day’s action.

Pre-match events

The Women’s Pacific Cup Final between the Jillaroos and Kiwi Ferns at 1:35pm AEDT served as the curtain-raiser to the men’s championship match. This double-header format mirrored the successful October 19 double-header at Go Media Stadium.

Timeline

Three key dates shaped the 2025 Pacific Championships schedule.

Date Event
19 October 2025 Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns vs Samoa double-header at Go Media Stadium, Auckland (6:05pm local)
9 October 2025 Pacific Championships Finals Day at CommBank Stadium, Sydney
9 October 2025 – 1:35pm AEDT Women’s Pacific Cup Final: Jillaroos vs Kiwi Ferns

Confirmed vs Unconfirmed

Confirmed facts

What’s unclear

  • Individual try scorers and detailed player statistics
  • Official attendance figures
  • Post-match coach and player commentary
  • Injury reports from the match

What the experts said

The Kiwis’ victory is remembered as one of the best New Zealand victories of the last decade.

— NZ Herald (New Zealand’s leading news publication)

The Pacific Championships was played across three countries and four consecutive weekends, showcasing the growth of international rugby league in the Pacific region.

NRL.com (Official governing body for Australian rugby league)

The Kiwis’ 36-14 victory over Toa Samoa on November 9, 2025, cemented New Zealand’s position as the dominant force in Pacific international rugby league. Their second championship in two years, achieved after overturning an eight-point deficit, demonstrated the gap between the top tier and the rest of the field.

For Toa Samoa, the final appearance marked their return after a 2024 hiatus and offered proof of their growing competitiveness. The 22-point margin flattered New Zealand, given Samoa’s strong first-half showing.

Related reading: Live Rugby Scores Today

Additional sources

nrl.com, youtube.com, youtube.com

In the Toa Samoa vs Kiwis 2025 at CommBank Stadium on November 9, the New Zealand Kiwis secured a decisive 36-14 victory to win the Pacific Championships.

Frequently asked questions

Where was the Kiwis vs Samoa 2025 match played?

The 2025 Pacific Championships Final was held at CommBank Stadium in Sydney, Australia. Gates opened at 11am AEDT on Finals day, with the women’s final at 1:35pm AEDT preceding the men’s championship match.

How can I watch highlights of Kiwis vs Samoa?

NRL Highlights on YouTube published extended highlights of the final. Regional broadcasters including Channel 9 (Australia), Sky Sport 1 (New Zealand), and Sky Sports (UK) provided full match coverage.

What is the date of Kiwis vs Samoa Round 1?

The opening round of the Pacific Cup took place on October 19, 2025, at Go Media Stadium in Auckland. New Zealand won that encounter 24-18, with both teams then progressing to the finals via victories over Tonga.

Who broadcast the Pacific Championships final?

Channel 9 and 9Now covered the match in Australia. Sky Sport 1 broadcast to New Zealand viewers. UK audiences watched via Sky Sports or NowTV streaming. International fans outside these markets accessed coverage through the Watch NRL platform.

What are the Kiwi Ferns vs Samoa timings?

The Kiwi Ferns faced Fetu Samoa in the women’s double-header on October 19 at Go Media Stadium, starting at 6:05pm local NZ time. At the finals on November 9, the Women’s Pacific Cup Final between the Jillaroos and Kiwi Ferns kicked off at 1:35pm AEDT.

How many Pacific Championships titles has New Zealand won?

New Zealand won their second Pacific Championships title in 2025, establishing themselves as the tournament’s most successful nation in its brief history. The Kiwis defeated Samoa in both the opening round (24-18) and the final (36-14).

What stats defined the Kiwis win?

The Kiwis overturned an eight-point halftime deficit to win 36-14. The 22-point margin reflected New Zealand’s dominance after the break, with their structured play and superior fitness ultimately decisive against a Samoan side that had shown promise in the opening rounds.

For rugby league fans across the Pacific, the Kiwis’ dominant performance offered clear evidence of New Zealand’s depth and tactical sophistication. Samoa’s final appearance, despite the loss, signalled their intent to challenge for the title in future editions of the tournament.