Toa Samoa and Fetu Samoa fell to the Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns stood tall in Auckland on Sunday as the 2025 Pacific Championships dished up two epic contests.

Toa Samoa lost 24-18 while Fetu were unlucky, going down 22-20.

The Kiwis also had to come from behind against Toa Samoa, who led 12-6 after 29 minutes when Blaize Talagi scored.

By half-time, the Kiwis had fought back to lead 16-12, and they went on to win 24-18 thanks to a double to Casey McLean and a superb display from Dylan Brown, who scored the match-winner.

After missing the Pacific Cup final last year, the Kiwis are hell bent on avenging that disappointment and taking down Samoa and Tonga to claim the crown.

With the first half of that mission complete, they now turn their attention to a week three contest against Tonga in Auckland.

Samoa will dust themselves off and count the cost of injuries before heading to Brisbane next Sunday for a blockbuster against Tonga.

Fetu Samoa took control of the game to lead 20-0 at the break before the class of the Kiwi Ferns shone through, and a runaway try to Mele Hufanga got them home 22-20 in a classic contest.