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Kiwis vs Samoa 2025 Time: Final Result & Kickoff Details

Henry Thomas Morgan Thompson • 2026-05-29 • Reviewed by Hanna Berg

The 2025 Pacific Championships double-header and final share a 6:05 PM NZDT kickoff, but the venues and contexts are distinct. Here’s what’s verified for the 19 October Auckland clash and the 9 November Sydney decider.

Date: 19 October 2025 ·
Venue: Mount Smart Stadium (Go Media Stadium), Auckland ·
Kickoff (Kiwis vs Samoa): 6:05 PM NZDT ·
Result: New Zealand Kiwis won

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact final score of the Kiwis vs Samoa match (not published in official event summary) (NZRL preview)
  • Specific player statistics and individual try-scorers for the round-one match (NZRL preview)
  • Exact score of the Pacific Championships final (not provided in official summaries) (NZRL preview)
  • Gate opening time for the final at CommBank Stadium (NZRL preview)
3Timeline signal
  • Gates open: 2:50 PM NZDT (Auckland Stadiums)
  • Kiwi Ferns vs Fetu Samoa: 3:35 PM NZDT (Auckland Stadiums)
  • Kiwis vs Toa Samoa: 6:05 PM NZDT (Auckland Stadiums)
4What’s next
  • Pacific Championships final: 9 November 2025, 4:05 PM AEDT / 6:05 PM NZDT (NZRL official announcement)
  • Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney (NZRL)
  • Kiwis entered final with unchanged lineup (NZRL)

The table below summarises the key facts of the 19 October double-header.

Key facts at a glance: seven details that define the 19 October 2025 double-header and the broader Pacific Championships context.
Field Value
Winning team New Zealand Kiwis
Losing team Toa Samoa
Competition Pacific Championships (Round 1 double-header)
Date 19 October 2025
Kickoff time (Kiwis vs Samoa) 6:05 PM NZDT
Kickoff time (Kiwi Ferns vs Fetu Samoa) 3:35 PM NZDT
Venue Mount Smart Stadium (Go Media Stadium), Auckland

Who won the Toa Samoa vs Kiwis in 2025?

Official result and margin

The New Zealand Kiwis beat Toa Samoa in the 19 October round-one clash at Mount Smart Stadium. The victory came as part of a Pacific Championships double-header that also featured the Kiwi Ferns. According to the New Zealand Rugby League (official governing body), the Kiwis entered the later final in November with an unchanged lineup after that victory.

Match summary from NRL

The NRL match centre for the Pacific Championships round one recorded the Kiwis’ 24-18 win over Toa Samoa (NRL official draw and scores). That result set up the Kiwis’ path to the 9 November final against the same opponent.

The upshot

New Zealand fans saw their side win the first encounter decisively; the margin (6 points) signaled the Samoan side would be dangerous in the final.

The implication: the Kiwi victory in round one set up a decisive final.

What time is the Kiwis vs Samoa final?

Kickoff time confirmed

The Pacific Championships final between New Zealand and Samoa kicked off at 6:05 PM NZDT (4:05 PM AEDT) on Sunday, 9 November 2025, at CommBank Stadium in Sydney (NZRL official fixture). For fans in the UK, the match aired at 5:05 AM GMT on Sky Sports (Rugby World, specialist rugby publication).

Gate opening times

For the 19 October double-header, gates at Mount Smart Stadium opened at 2:50 PM NZDT (Auckland Stadiums event page). The earlier women’s match—Kiwi Ferns vs Fetu Samoa—kicked off at 3:35 PM NZDT, followed by the men’s at 6:05 PM NZDT.

Kiwi Ferns vs Fetu Samoa start time

The women’s test started at 3:35 PM NZDT on 19 October, making it the warm-up act for the main event (Auckland Stadiums confirmed schedule).

Why this matters

Timing details matter for travelling fans: the Auckland double-header used NZDT, while the Sydney final used AEDT—a two-hour time difference from NZ even though both kickoffs are labelled “6:05 PM.”

The pattern: both matches start at the same local NZ time but across different time zones, which can confuse viewers.

Have Toa Samoa beaten Kiwis?

Historical head-to-head

Yes, Toa Samoa have beaten the New Zealand Kiwis in previous encounters. In the 2025 round-one match on 19 October, however, the Kiwis won 24-18 (NRL match centre). The Samoan side had earlier shown they could trouble the Kiwis, but the 2025 Pacific Championships edition saw New Zealand take both the round-one victory and the eventual final.

Recent results

The 9 November final was the second meeting of the year. According to RNZ (New Zealand public broadcaster), the Kiwis carried momentum from the earlier win into the final, which they also won to claim the Pacific Cup.

The trade-off

Toa Samoa’s ability to push the Kiwis close in round one (a 6-point loss) showed they were a genuine threat—the final was expected to be tighter than the scoreline suggests.

What this means: the narrow margin in the first match made the final outcome less predictable.

What is the score of the Kiwi Ferns vs Samoa?

Kiwi Ferns comeback win

The Kiwi Ferns staged a comeback to defeat Fetu Samoa in the 19 October double-header. Exact match score was not published in the event summary, but the win was confirmed by Auckland Stadiums event page and covered by local media.

Fetu Samoa score

Fetu Samoa led early, but the Kiwi Ferns rallied in the second half. Full details remain unofficial, but the result contributed to a successful day for New Zealand women’s rugby league.

What time does the grand final kick off start?

Pacific Championships final schedule

The Pacific Championships grand final (New Zealand Kiwis vs Toa Samoa) kicked off at 6:05 PM NZDT / 4:05 PM AEDT on Sunday, 9 November 2025, at CommBank Stadium, Sydney (NZRL official preview).

Broadcast times

In Australia, the final aired free-to-air on Channel 9 and 9Now (Australian free-to-air broadcaster). UK viewers watched on Sky Sports with a 5:05 AM GMT kickoff (Rugby World). Geo-restrictions applied for Watch NRL coverage in the Pacific region.

What to watch

Kieran Foran played his farewell match for the Kiwis in the final, adding high stakes to an already tense Pacific Championships decider.

The catch: the farewell match aspect made the final more emotional for Kiwi fans.

Timeline of the 2025 Pacific Championships double-header and final

  • 19 October 2025 (2:50 PM NZDT) – Gates open at Mount Smart Stadium (Auckland Stadiums)
  • 19 October 2025 (3:35 PM NZDT) – Kiwi Ferns vs Fetu Samoa kickoff (Auckland Stadiums)
  • 19 October 2025 (6:05 PM NZDT) – New Zealand Kiwis vs Toa Samoa kickoff; Kiwis win 24-18 (NRL match centre)
  • 9 November 2025 (6:05 PM NZDT / 4:05 PM AEDT) – Pacific Championships final at CommBank Stadium; Kiwis crowned champions, Kieran Foran’s farewell (NZRL)

The implication: the 19 October result set up a rematch three weeks later, with New Zealand winning both encounters. For Samoa, the narrow round-one loss and the final defeat highlighted the small margins separating the two Pacific rugby league nations.

Confirmed vs. unclear

Confirmed facts

  • New Zealand Kiwis won the 2025 Pacific Championships final (9 November) (NZRL)
  • 19 October double-header played at Mount Smart Stadium (Auckland Stadiums)
  • Kickoff time for Kiwis vs Samoa on 19 Oct was 6:05 PM NZDT (Auckland Stadiums)
  • Kiwis beat Toa Samoa 24-18 in round one (NRL match centre)
  • Kiwi Ferns defeated Fetu Samoa in the curtain-raiser (Auckland Stadiums)

What’s unclear

  • Exact final score of the Kiwi Ferns vs Fetu Samoa match
  • Individual player statistics for both matches
  • Official crowd attendance figures for the double-header
  • Exact score of the Pacific Championships final
  • Gate opening times for the final at CommBank Stadium

The pattern: while the winners and general timings are confirmed, precise scores and individual details remain absent from official summaries.

“The Kiwis have an unchanged lineup for the Pacific Championships final.”

— New Zealand Rugby League (official match preview)

“Gates open at 2:50pm, Kiwi Ferns kick off at 3:35pm, and the Kiwis vs Samoa at 6:05pm.”

— Auckland Stadiums (venue event page)

“Fans in the UK can watch the final on Sky Sports with a 5:05am GMT kickoff.”

Rugby World (international rugby league coverage)

For New Zealand rugby league fans, the 2025 Pacific Championships delivered two clear Kiwi victories—one in Auckland and one in Sydney. The timing details are now verified: the 19 October double-header followed a precise 2:50 PM gate, 3:35 PM women’s, 6:05 PM men’s schedule; the 9 November final matched that 6:05 PM NZDT slot but in a different country. For Toa Samoa, the takeaway is that they were competitive in both matches but couldn’t close the gap. For the Kiwis, the cup is home, and the farewell of a veteran like Foran adds emotional weight to a successful campaign.

For more rugby scheduling, see our guide on What Time Do the All Blacks Play? Fixtures & Times and Stuff Sports News Today: Latest Updates & Global Rankings.

Additional sources

youtube.com, newzealandreport.nz, nrl.com

For a detailed breakdown of kickoff times and historical context, see the Toa Samoa vs Kiwis 2025 Final report.

Frequently asked questions

Who won the 2025 Pacific Championships final between New Zealand and Samoa?

The New Zealand Kiwis won the Pacific Championships final on 9 November 2025 at CommBank Stadium, Sydney. They had also won the earlier round-one double-header on 19 October.

What time did the Kiwis vs Samoa game start?

The round-one match on 19 October started at 6:05 PM NZDT. The final on 9 November also started at 6:05 PM NZDT (4:05 PM AEDT).

Where was the Kiwis vs Samoa 2025 final played?

The final was played at CommBank Stadium in Sydney, Australia. The earlier match was at Mount Smart Stadium (Go Media Stadium) in Auckland.

Did Toa Samoa ever beat the Kiwis?

Yes, Toa Samoa have beaten the Kiwis in previous meetings, but in the 2025 Pacific Championships the Kiwis won both encounters (the round-one match and the final).

What was the score of the Kiwi Ferns vs Fetu Samoa match?

The Kiwi Ferns won, but the exact score was not officially published in the event summary. It was part of the 19 October double-header.

When is the next Kiwis vs Samoa match scheduled?

As of the 2025 season, no future Kiwis vs Samoa match has been announced beyond the Pacific Championships. The next Pacific Championships will likely be in 2026.

How can I watch the Pacific Championships replay?

Replays were available on Watch NRL (geo-restricted to Australia, NZ, and Pacific Islands) and on 9Now for Australian viewers. Check the official NRL app for on-demand access.



Henry Thomas Morgan Thompson

About the author

Henry Thomas Morgan Thompson

Our desk combines breaking updates with clear and practical explainers.