The 1996 Pacific Challenge was a

rugby league Rugby league football, commonly known as just rugby league and sometimes football, footy, rugby or league, is a full-contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular field measuring 68 metres (75 yards) wide and 11 ...

tournament held between Pacific teams. The tournament was played over eight days and in six countries. It featured an uneven draw with every team playing twice, except for

Tonga Tonga (, ; ), officially the Kingdom of Tonga ( to, Puleʻanga Fakatuʻi ʻo Tonga), is a Polynesian country and archipelago. The country has 171 islands – of which 45 are inhabited. Its total surface area is about , scattered over in ...

and the New Zealand XIII side who both played three times, and no final.

Background

The tournament was a hastily arranged replacement for the cancelled 1996

Pacific Cup The Pacific Cup was a rugby league football competition for national teams from the Pacific region. History The Pacific Cup was started in 1975 by Keith Gittoes of the New South Wales Rugby League.1997 Oceania Cup. The tournament was held during the Superleague war that was severely affecting international rugby league at this time.

Squads

*The Cook Islands included Sonny Shepherd and Richard Piakura.Pacific Challenge
''The Vault'' *Coached by Cameron Bell, the New Zealand Māori squad included Sonny Whakarau, Frank Watene,

Paul Rauhihi Paul Rauhihi (born 3 July 1973) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand. Rauhihi played in both the National Rugby League and Super League as a . Background Rauhihi was born in Porirua, New Zeal ...

and

Matthew Sturm Matthew Sturm (born 13 December 1972) is a former professional rugby league footballer who played in New Zealand and in the Super League. Since 2007 he has been part of the Mount Albert Lions, as a player till 2012 and now part of the coaching s ...

. *The New Zealand XIII were coached by Gerard Stokes, captained by

Whetu Taewa Whetu Taewa (born 19 October 1970) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand six times between 1989 and 1996. Playing career New Zealand Whetu was born on the West Coast, New Zealand and started p ...

and included Willie McLean,

Earl Va'a Earl Va'a (born 1 May 1972)
Scrum.com is a former

Brian Jellick,

Denvour Johnston Denvour Francis Johnston is a New Zealand rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand in 1993. Playing career Johnston played for the Randwick Kingfishers club in the Wellington Rugby League competition. He represented the Cook Islands a ...

Jerry Seuseu Jerry Seuseu (born 19 April 1974) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s, as a . He represented New Zealand and Samoa at international level. After retirement he became Wellbeing and Educa ...

Stuart Lester Stuart Lester (born 8 February 1975) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played professionally for Wigan. His brother, Aaron, played professionally for the Auckland Warriors and Whitehaven. Playing career Lester ma ...

Boycie Nelson Boycie Nelson is a New Zealand coach who is the assistant coach of the New Zealand Warriors Holden Cup team and former rugby league former footballer who played as a goal-kicking . Playing career New Zealand Nelson grew up playing rugby league ...

Doc Murray David "Doc" Murray (born 10 August 1972) is a New Zealand rugby league coach and former player. His position of preference was as a . New Zealand career Murray started his rugby league career playing for the Ellerslie Eagles club in the Auckl ...

, David Bailey and

Ben Lythe Ben Lythe (born 14 October 1975 in New Zealand) is a former professional rugby league footballer. His position of preference was at Halfback. He was also a noted goalkicker. Early years Hailing from West Auckland, Lythe played for the Mt Albe ...

. *Tonga included

Paul Koloi Paul Koloi (born 25 December 1972) is a Tongan rugby league footballer who represented Tonga in the 2000 World Cup. Playing career A Riccarton-Lincoln junior in the Canterbury Rugby League, Koloi played for the Canterbury Cardinals in the 19 ...

and

Esau Mann Esau Mann (born 11 May 1971) is a Tongan former professional rugby league footballer who represented Tonga at the 2000 World Cup. He is a cousin and brother of fellow internationals Duane and George Mann. Playing career With the launch of the ...

. *Western Samoa included

Paki Tuimavave Paki Tuimavave is a Samoan former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. He played at representative level for Western Samoa, and at club level for Waitakere City and North Harbour, as a . Background Also see '' ...

and

Mike Setefano Mike Setefano is a former Samoa international rugby league footballer who played at the 1995 Rugby League World Cup. Playing career Setefano played for the Auckland City Vulcans in the 1994 Lion Red Cup, and toured New Zealand with Western Samoa ...

Results

References

{{1996 in rugby league

Pacific Cup The Pacific Cup was a rugby league football competition for national teams from the Pacific region. History The Pacific Cup was started in 1975 by Keith Gittoes of the New South Wales Rugby League.Pacific Cup Pac International rugby league competitions hosted by New Zealand