Live: Jillaroos and Kangaroos hunt Pacific titles after PNG star sent off for ‘extremely dangerous’ spear tackle

The Australian teams’ finals aren’t the only games on at Western Sydney Stadium today.

Samoa is wrapping up a victory over the PNG Orchids in the women’s relegation game as we speak, but the last few minutes have taken age due to a pair of back-to-back ugly incidents.

First, PNG five-eighth Sera Koroi lifted Sarina Masaga and dumped the Samoa centre on her head. Masaga was in tears and trainers showed a lot of care for her head and neck, but she eventually walked off.

So to did Koroi when referee Karra-Lee Nolan called her out of the line.

“Hand between her legs, extremely dangerous, extremely high force and you lose the weight as you take her to the ground. Her head makes first contact. You’re on report and you’re sent off.”

In the next set, PNG back rower Sareka Mooka rushed out of the line to put a hit on Sienna Lofipo, and clashed heads with the Samoa lock. Both players left the field, Lofipo looking groggy and Mooka holding her jaw together.

Later tonight, New Zealand plays Papua New Guinea to see who will play in the top tier of the Pacific Championships next year.

Hello and welcome to the last day of the 2024 Pacific Championships with Australia in both the men’s and women’s finals.

First, from 1:50pm AEDT, the Jillaroos hunt revenge against New Zealand’s Kiwi Ferns, before the Kangaroos take on Tonga for the men’s crown from 4:05pm.