The Future of Rugby League in Australia, New Zealand & Pacific: Why the Game is Turning Brown

The Future of Rugby League in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific is Brown

The future of rugby league across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific region is changing – and it is proudly Pacific. While the jerseys may be green and gold, black and white, red or blue, the direction of the sport is unmistakably being driven by the rise of Pacific Island talent, culture, and loyal supporters.

As the New Zealand Kiwis and Toa Samoa gear up for the Pacific Championship Pacific Cup final, the world is seeing how Pacific athletes have elevated the level of the game like never before. Their performances, skill, and passion have become a powerhouse force in international rugby league.

The Future of Rugby League: A New Era Led by Pacific Powerhouses

The excitement surrounding the Pacific Championships has only grown each week. Toa Samoa’s thrilling victory over Mate Ma’a Tonga in Brisbane and Papua New Guinea’s third consecutive Pacific Bowl win over Fiji Bati showed how competitive and dynamic this competition has become.

This Sunday promises another action-packed finale, including the Kiwi Ferns vs Australian Jillaroos in the women’s championship decider.

The tournament itself represents a major shift in rugby league’s identity. Established by the NRL, the Pacific Championships evolved from the Oceania Cup, which replaced the former Australia vs New Zealand-only ANZAC Test. Today, the competition reflects a new reality: the Pacific Islands are now driving rugby league’s growth.

Fans Bringing a New Level of Passion

Māori, Pacific, and Indigenous Australian players now make up more than half of NRL player contracts, but another major force has emerged – the fans.

Pacific supporters have transformed stadium atmospheres into something unmatched in other rugby league events. The scenes in Brisbane two weeks ago showed nearly 45,000 Samoan and Tongan fans creating an electric environment that even traditional rugby giants envy.

As commentator Andrew Voss said the next morning:

“What do we do with Samoa and Tonga? We have something here that rivals State of Origin.”

This is more than sport; it is the continuation of a historic rivalry that existed long before State of Origin – even before modern Australia. When Tonga met New Zealand at Eden Park, their “Sea of Red” again dominated the stands in a record 38,144-strong crowd.

These fans are loyal, proud, vocal, and deeply patriotic. They have helped lift the status of Pacific rugby league from the ground up, building a global rugby identity that stands alongside State of Origin – and could soon surpass it.

A Shift in Player Loyalty

More elite Pacific players are beginning to represent their heritage instead of their adopted nations. Superstars like Payne Haas, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Jason Taumalolo, and Isaiya Katoa are choosing to wear the colours of Samoa, Tonga, or other Pacific nations.

Australia will likely continue to produce world-class talent due to its depth and pathways, but the New Zealand Kiwis may feel the shift more directly. For decades, many Pacific players moved through New Zealand rugby league systems and ended up representing the Kiwis at the highest level.

Now that Samoa and Tonga are serious test contenders, New Zealand faces a new reality: competition for Pacific players is no longer one-directional. While this creates uncertainty, it also opens opportunities for more young Pacific athletes to reach the international stage.

Rugby League’s Future is Brown – And Bright

The growth of Pacific rugby league is not just about athletic skill. It is about culture, identity, community, and belonging. The Pacific Islands are the new centre of gravity for international rugby league, both on the field and in the stands.

The future of the sport is unquestionably brown – and the challenge for Australia and New Zealand now is to embrace it and invest in it. Because nurturing Pacific rugby league means nurturing the future of the entire game.