<p>The opening round of the 2025 Rugby League Pacific Championships did not disappoint.</p> <p>There was plenty of free-flowing attacking footy on display as Fiji defeated the Cook Islands 44-24, a result which included a hat-trick in the opening 12 minutes from Tigers and Bati No.1 Jahream Bula.</p> <p>The other match between New Zealand and Samoa lived up to its headline billing, with the Kiwis sneaking home 24-18 in an all-time epic, thanks to a late Dylan Brown try.</p> <p>Round 2 of the Pacific Championships sees both the Cook Islands and Samoa back in action, with Fiji and New Zealand getting a rest before the final round.</p> <p>The Cook Islands will travel to PNG to take on the Kumuls, while Samoa will face Tonga at Suncorp Stadium, in a must-watch encounter.</p> <p>For all the latest news, analysis, odds, and betting tips ahead of these two games, check out our expert Rugby League Pacific Championships Round 2 tips and predictions below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Papua New Guinea Kumuls vs Cook Islands Aitu Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, October 25, 4:00pm AEDT – Santos National Football Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Cook Islands will be looking to bounce back from last week’s high scoring defeat to Fiji when they head to Port Moresby to take on PNG.</p> <p>The 24 points they scored against Fiji were nowhere near enough, as their defence leaked 44 points, with Batil fullback Bula crossing for four tries in the first half.</p> <p>PNG won’t pack the same amount of attacking punch as Fiji, but it’s without the ball where the Kumuls are known for doing the most damage.</p> <p>Along with their bone-rattling defence, The Cook Islands will have to deal with PNG’s Super League star, halfback Lachlan Lam and former NSW Origin Lock Jack De Belin.</p> <p>Throw in the raucous home crowd that will await them in Port Moresby and it could be 0/2 for the Cook Islands on their 2025 Pacific Championships adventure.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/international-matches/papua-new-guinea-v-cook-islands-9751899">Papua New Guinea.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Lachlan Lam anytime try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Tonga XIII vs Toa Samoa Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, October 26, 4:00pm AEDT – Suncorp Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>This is not only the headline match of Round 2, but arguably the headline match of the entire Pacific Championships.</p> <p>Over the last decade both Tonga and Samoa have gradually been pressing their case as worthy rivals of both Australia and New Zealand on the international stage and now it looks as though they have arrived.</p> <p>There’s no other way to put it, both squads are completely stacked and as it will be played on the mutual turf of Suncorp Stadium, trying to find an edge for either team seems almost impossible.</p> <p>That’s probably why at the time of writing the H2H odds have this one as a dead heat, with both nations paying 1.90 a piece.</p> <p>There’s only one thing for certain here, with names like Addin Fonua-Blake, Leka Halasima, Eliesa and Isaiya Katoa, Robert Toia and Jason Taumalolo going up against the likes of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Brian To'o, Jarome Luai and Payne Haas, this is a math not to be missed.</p> <p>The battle between the two halfbacks Isaiya Katoa and Jarome Luai is particularly compelling, with Luai being a NSW Origin incumbent and Katoa touted as his long-term successor.</p> <p>Playing for the Dolphins, Katoa will be far more familiar with his surroundings at Lang Park and he and his teammates have the luxury of not having played yet these Championships.</p> <p>These factors are enough when you’re looking to decide a literal coinflip, so we’re taking Tonga here, but not by more than a solitary try.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/international-matches/tonga-v-samoa-9751876">Tonga.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> SGM – Leka Halasima, Eliesa Katoa and Brian To’o anytime try scorers.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Where Can I Watch the Pacific Championships in Australia?</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>All games of the 2025 Rugby League Pacific Championships will stream in Australia on Kayo, Foxtel and 9Now.</p> <p>The Pacific Championships start on Saturday October 18 and run through to Sunday November 9.&nbsp;</p>