Ahead of tomorrow’s historic showdown at Suncorp Stadium, Toa Samoa head coach Ben Gardiner reflects on the rise of Pacific rugby league, the call for fairness, and the vision driving Samoa toward World Cup 2026.
Standing in the empty expanse of Brisbane’s iconic Suncorp Stadium, the anticipation is palpable. Tomorrow, over 45,000 fans will pack the venue to witness a clash that promises to set a new benchmark for Pacific rugby league. For Toa Samoa’s head coach, Ben Gardiner, the near-sellout is more than just numbers, it’s a statement.
“Absolutely amazing,” Gardiner shares, confirming the crowd already surpasses 45,000 ticketed fans. “There’s a few more tickets to go and we’re looking to get those people through the gate to get the full 50,000 sellout.” If achieved, it would mark a world record for a match between two Pacific nations that doesn’t involve Australia.
Gardiner emphasizes the significance of this turnout for the broader landscape of international rugby league. “For Pacific nations footy, it really puts the nations on the map and shows the fans, the NRL, and the world of rugby league where Pacific nations are, specifically Samoa and Tonga, and shows the support we have from the communities around us.”
The energy surrounding the game reflects the growing influence of Pacific nations in the sport. “In terms of the game, it shows that the Pacific nations are leading the way with rugby league at the moment. They have a lot of players in the NRL across the board, some of the most elite players in the game, and I think that it shows teams of Tonga, Samoa, NZ, Papua New Guinea, Fiji should be respected,” Gardiner explains.
He also raises the issue of fairness ahead of the 2026 World Cup. “Leading up to the World Cup, it seems like Australia have been given special conditions around their CBA in terms of the support they are getting from the NRL. If you look across the board, particularly with tomorrow’s game with Tonga and Samoa, there are a number of guys all the way across both teams who come from the NRL and they deserve fairness in terms of the way that they are supported leading into the Rugby League World Cup next year.”
Every player on both teams meets NRL standards and is governed under the same collective bargaining agreements. Gardiner stresses the importance of equal opportunities for all teams in the Pacific Championships and Pacific Cup. “It is only fair that everyone gets equal opportunities to perform at their best,” he says.
International rugby league, according to Gardiner, has never been stronger. The current eligibility rules, which allow players to represent their nation of choice, have expanded the competitive field. “In terms of the position of where the game is at the moment, particularly internationally, it’s the best that’s ever been,” he shares. “Any team could win the World Cup next year. Teams having fairness and fair treatment around things like hotels, flights, accommodation, all that sort of stuff, is particularly important so everyone has their best opportunity to perform at their best.”
Asked about a return to pre-2013 eligibility rules, Gardiner is unequivocal. “It would go back towards where it was before 2013. We’ve had a few World Cups since 2013… 2017 was the rise of Tonga, 2022 was the rise of Samoa and that all comes down to eligibility and ability for players to play for their nation of their choice. I think that puts us at the best position to be the best team that we can be, so keeping the rules the way they are now is definitely the way to stay.”
On a personal level, Gardiner is energized by the journey ahead. “I’m absolutely pumped. I’ve been involved with Samoa for my third year… I can’t wait to prepare the team to go to the World Cup next year and be at their best. The team that we’re building, the players available next year, make us super competitive. The work that’s going into building depth in our squad, our staff across the board, the way that we move as a group, goes a long way,” he shares.
For Gardiner, the vision extends beyond the 2026 World Cup. “It’s not just the World Cup for me, it’s continuing to grow Samoa to be bigger and better for the long term, and make a difference there to make sure that our game fits the synergy that we’re looking for, which is rugby league, high performance, faith, and culture… I think we’ve done a lot of great work here to prepare us for the World Cup and I’m fully embedded in making sure that we get the best result come 2026 when the World Cup kicks off.”
As the stadium prepares to roar tomorrow, Gardiner’s words echo the sentiment of a rising force in international rugby league: Pacific nations are not just participating… they’re leading.
For fans who haven’t secured their tickets yet, there’s still a chance to be part of a historic moment in Pacific rugby league. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness Samoa and Tonga come together on the field tomorrow at Suncorp Stadium, an unmissable celebration of Pasifika pride, passion, and community. Tickets available here.
