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Samoa vs Tonga 'could rival Origin', says Voss
Charles Goodsir • October 27th, 2025 1:50 pm
SEN’s Andrew Voss has called for a bilateral International series between Tonga and Samoa following the success of Sunday’s Pacific Championship match at Suncorp Stadium.
44,682 roaring fans attended the match in Brisbane and not even a severe weather delay could dampen their spirits as Samoa ran out 34-6 victors.
After an underwhelming International weekend that saw England underwhelm in the first Ashes Test and Cook Islands remain winless in the Pacific Championship, Voss believes Tonga and Samoa is a product that rivals State of Origin.
“It was one of the more extraordinary rugby league days that I have ever been to,” Voss declared on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“The lightning delay heightened the drama.
“What do we do with Samoa and Tonga? We have something here that is a jewel in the crown that rivals State of Origin.
“Almost 45,000 fans turn up to Suncorp Stadium to watch Tonga play Samoa. The passion, the intensity and the quality of the game rivals Origin.
Forget Origin... Are you repping Tonga or Samoa? | Afternoons
“I’m not saying that it’s better than Origin but of the same quality.
"Forget Global Round. Just park that for a moment.
“It’s tribalism (and) it’s right in our lap.
“These two teams haven’t played each other since the last World Cup which is close to three years ago.
“It could be another three years because there’s no guarantee that they play each other at the next World Cup.
“So how do we make it happen? Do you want more (because) when we talk about expansion and other things, can’t you see what we have right in front of us?
“Most of us are neutral observers and we aren’t Tongan or Samoan but it’s bloody good to watch.
“These teams are both in a golden era. It’s as good as Origin.”
Samoa has the bye in Week 3 of the Pacific Championships whilst Tonga will travel to Eden Park to take on New Zealand.
SEN’s Corey Parker believes that with the addition of world class players such as Payne Haas and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Samoa has leapfrogged England as one of the best rugby league national sides.
“The scenes were absolutely outstanding (and) we need to see more of it,” Parker said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“We need to see more of these two teams go at it because of what they produced.
“The England v Australia match just highlighted the difference between where those two nations are at.
“You see where Samoa are at and you’d have them ahead of England at the moment.”
The Pacific Championship final will be held on November 9 at CommBank Stadium in Sydney.
