1997 Oceania Cup

The 1997 Oceania Cup was an international rugby league football tournament played in the Pacific region. The tournament was operated and contested by Super League-aligned countries during the Super League war as an alternative to the Pacific Cup.

1997 (1997) Oceania Cup  ()
Number of teams6
Host country New Zealand
Winner New Zealand XIII
Matches played12
Tournaments
 < 1996

Six teams contested the Cup. The 1997 tournament went ahead following the previous year's cancellation due to the unavailability of Australian teams when the tournament was replaced with a Pacific Challenge Series. Western Samoa withdrew from the tournament in disagreement with Super League-aligned authorities over promises that they believed were given to them.

The tournament was originally scheduled to have two pools, one based in New Zealand and one in Tonga, and the final was to be played as a curtain raiser to the Super League Tri-series final.[1]

Teams

New Zealand Māori were coached by Cameron Bell and included Dean Clark, Tukere Barlow, Frank Watene, Darryl Beazley and Solomon Kiri.[1]

New Zealand XIII were coached by Gary Kemble and included Glenn Coughlan, Blair Harding, Mike Dorreen, Iva Ropati, Shane Endacott, captain Aaron Whittaker, Mark Faumuina, Denvour Johnston, Hitro Okesene, Jerry Seuseu, Bryan Henare, Meti Noovao, Brad Williams, Joe Galuvao, Fa'ausu Afoa, Ben Fahey, Jason Kerapa, Keneti Asiata and Paul Staladi.[1] Richard Stewart replaced Shane Endacott when he withdrew due to injury.[2] Before the series began the New Zealand Māori bet the New Zealand XIII 21-19 at Ericsson Stadium.

Results

Round 1
11 May 1997
Cook Islands  22 – 14  Fiji
11 May 1997
Māori  46 – 10  Tonga

Round 2
13 May 1997
Māori  32 – 12  Fiji
13 May 1997
New Zealand XIII 32 – 10  Tonga
13 May 1997
Papua New Guinea  34 – 12  Cook Islands

Round 3
15 May 1997
Tonga  14 – 14  Fiji
15 May 1997
Māori  34 – 6  Papua New Guinea

Table
Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
1 Māori 330011228846
2 New Zealand XIII 33009930696
3 Papua New Guinea 31025867-92
4 Cook Islands 31023694-582
5 Fiji 30124068-281
6 Tonga 30123492-581

5th place play-off
18 May 1997
Fiji  22 – 20  Tonga

3rd place play-off
18 May 1997
Papua New Guinea  38 – 14  Cook Islands

Final
18 May 1997
New Zealand XIII 20 – 15  Māori
Tries: Paul Staladi (2)
Darryn Avery
Fa'asu Afoa
Goals: Glenn Coughlan (2)		 Tries: Ricky Henry
Shane Edwards
Goals: Tama Hohaia (3, 1 FG)
Carlaw Park, Auckland
Referee: Jim Stokes

References
  1. John Coffey, Bernie Wood (2008). 100 years: Māori rugby league, 1908-2008. Huia Publishers. p. 301. ISBN 978-1-86969-331-2.
  2. New Zealand Rugby League Annual '97, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1997. p.124
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