1977 Pacific Cup

1977 Pacific Cup 5 New Zealand New Zealand Māori 2 11 Pacific Cup 1975 1986 The 1977 Pacific Cup was the second edition of the Pacific Cup, a rugby league tournament held between Pacific teams. The tournament was hosted by New Zealand and eventually won by the New Zealand Māori side, who defeated Western Australia 35–12 in the final. Background The 1977 Pacific Cup was run by the New South Wales Rugby League, following the success of the inaugural 1975 Pacific Cup. The tournament involved three Australian state sides as well as Papua New Guinea, who did not yet have Test match status, and the New Zealand Māori.John Coffey, Bernie Wood 100 years: Māori rugby league, 1908-2008 Huia Publishers 2008 198–201 https://books.google.com/books?id=nklWo8vw-iIC 978-1-86969-331-2 In the end the 1977 Pacific Cup proved to be expensive to run and resulted in the cancellation of the planned 1979 Pacific Cup. Squads Each team was allowed to choose a 22-man squad for the tournament. New Zealand Māori: Reg Tamihere, Noel Rollo, James Leuluai, Pesa Sua, Ray Harris, Dennis Key, Murray Netzler, Neil Aspin, John Wilson, Josh Liavaa, T. Tolea, Ian Bell, K. Jenkinson (Auckland); Dick Uluave (Manawatu); C. Morgan, Warren Rangi, Harry Waikai, Rick Muru, Pop Raihe (c) (Waikato); Jack Knuckey (Taranaki); Eddie Orchard (Bay of Plenty); R. Tiananga (Hamilton).All Maoris from north https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19770817.2.243 The Press 17 August 1977 Christchurch 38 Papers Past Papua New Guinea: Dikana Boge, Tara Gau, Bob Greathead, Garia Kora, Steve Malum, Paul Tore, John Wagambie (c), Asi Winnie (Southern Region); Joe Gandel, Sukope Iko, Paul Kombinari, Jack Metta, Alan Rero, Stainer Sapu, Joe Tomerup, Linus Gene (Highlands Region); Openi Geno, Vai Karava, Kaiva Kako (Northern Region); Peter Pais, David Pukuntap, David Tangoa (Islands Region).Stars' exclusion an injustice https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/250319068 Post-Courier 8 September 1977 Papua New Guinea 23 Trove Team of the Tournament Following the final, a 17-man squad was named consisting of the best players in the tournament. Papua New Guinea lock John Wagambie was named the player of the tournament.League cup to Maoris https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19770930.2.189 The Press 30 September 1977 Christchurch 28 Papers Past New Zealand Māori: John Wilson, Ray Harris, Eddie Orchard, Dennis Key, Murray Netzler, Ian Bell, Warren Rangi; Papua New Guinea: Bob Greathead, John Wagambie, Alan Rero, Tara Gau Western Australia: Martin Ridley, John Fielding, Alec Lockley Northern Territory: Brian Allia, Bob Dowie Victoria: Dave McFee Results An opening ceremony was held at Turangawaewae Marae in Huntly. TeamPldWDLPts1New Zealand Māori440082Western Australia420243PNG420244Northern Territory410325Victoria41032 Round 1 #eeeeee 14 September 1977 Western Australia Western Australia 33 – 19 Maoris defend league cup https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19770915.2.179 The Press 15 September 1977 Christchurch 28 Papers Past PNG Dixon (2), Fielding (2), Castle, Walls, Ridley, Mitchell, Kennedy Rice (2), Walls Tore, Bais, Boge Geni (3), Kombinari (2) Davies Park, Huntly #eeeeee 14 September 1977 New Zealand Māori 27 – 10 Northern Territory Uluave (2), Tamihere, Morgan, Rangi, Sua, Leuluai Tamihere (3) de la Cruz, Rogers Allia, Walker Davies Park, Huntly Round 2 #eeeeee 17 September 1977 New Zealand Māori 25 – 17 Maori league walk-over https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19770919.2.25 The Press 19 September 1977 Christchurch 3 PNG Rangi, Toloa, Aspin, Key, Uluave Tamihere (5) Malum (3) Kombinari (4) Rotorua #eeeeee 17 September 1977 Western Australia Western Australia 10 – 14 Victoria Fielding, Mitchell Rice (2) Hall, Watts Wakefield (4) Rotorua Round 3 #eeeeee 18 September 1977 New Zealand Māori 78 – 0 Victoria Leuluai (5), Sua (3), Liavaa (3), Bell (3), Rollo (2), Netzler, Key Wilson (12) Tokoroa #eeeeee 18 September 1977 PNG 25 – 14 Northern Territory Rero (3), Kora, Geno Kombinari (5) Mitchell, Dowie, Elliott, Caswell Castillion Tokoroa Round 4 #eeeeee 21 September 1977 PNG 42 – 12 W. Australia, Maoris in league final? https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19770922.2.200 The Press 22 September 1977 Christchurch 32 Victoria Rero (5), Geno (2), Wagambie (2), Karava Kombinari (6) Hoyle, Wakefield, de Tournouer, Bayne Davies Park, Huntly #eeeeee 21 September 1977 Western Australia Western Australia 23 – 16 Northern Territory Fielding (2), Dixon, Walls, Bowler Rice (4) Harrison, Mitchell, Walker, Dowie Castillon (2) Davies Park, Huntly Round 5 #eeeeee 1977 New Zealand Māori 28 – 4 Western Australia Carlaw Park, Auckland #eeeeee 1977 Northern Territory Northern Territory 33 – 29 Victoria Carlaw Park, Auckland Final #eeeeee 27 September 1977 New Zealand Māori 35 – 12 Western Australia Uluave (2), Rangi (2), Sua, Netzler, Tolea, Bell Wilson (6) Walls, Adams Walls (3) Carlaw Park, Auckland Ray SeymourMaoris retain the cup with ease https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/250322340 Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 28 September 1977 36 References External links International Competitions 1977 The Vault Pacific Cup 1977 Pac Category:Pacific Cup Category:1977 in Oceanian sport