NRL 2025, Pacific Championships, Ashes, best forward packs, Addin Fonua-Blake, Payne Haas, Kangaroos

Author: Cameron Mee NRL Reporter
Timestamp: Mon 27 Oct 2025, 09:20 AM

The votes are in and the fans have declared the Kangaroos have the best forward pack in international rugby league.

Nearly 6000 supporters had their say, with 30% of the voters throwing their support behind the Australian unit. New Zealand were close behind on 24%, with Tonga third on 21%. Samoa were a touch further back with 20% and England finished fifth with 5% of the vote.

The Kangaroos backed it up on the field last weekend, with Angus Crichton leading the side to a commanding victory over England in the opening game of the Ashes series.

England v Kangaroos: First Test

Despite losing captain Isaah Yeo to a head knock in the ninth minute, the Australian pack was superb in laying the foundation for Reece Walsh and the backline at Wembley Stadium.

As the Kangaroos and England prepare to go at it again at a sold-out Everton Stadium, the focus of the Pacific Championships shifts to Auckland for a must-win battle between New Zealand and Tonga.

A place in the Pacific Cup final is on the line, with Tonga desperate to rebound from last week's loss to Samoa.

Tonga XIII v Toa Samoa

Inspirational skipper Jason Taumalolo is on track to return from a knee injury in a major boost for Kristian Woolf.

The Kiwis flexed their muscle in a tight win over Samoa in the opening round of the competition, with Joe Tapine and James Fisher-Harris laying the foundation up front.

On Sunday afternoon they will go toe to toe with Taumalolo, Addin Fonua-Blake and Eli Katoa at Eden Park.

Waiting in the wings is a Samoan pack led by Payne Haas, who booked their place in the decider at CommBank Stadium with a commanding victory over Tonga last weekend.