The 2026 Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship returns to Fiji this April, marking a vital moment for the sport in the Pacific. Churchill Park in Lautoka and Govind Park in Ba will play host to three test matches between Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji. This tournament remains the premier platform for high-performance competition in the region and serves as the only international XVs window hosted on Fijian soil this year. Beyond the matches, the event will feature curtain raisers for young local players under a safeguarding theme, ensuring the next generation of talent is nurtured in a safe and supportive environment.
Fiji enters the competition as the dominant force and defending champion. They secured their fifth title in 2025 by defeating Samoa 24–20 in a narrow thriller at Lawaqa Park. While the Fijiana squad has historically led the pack, the gap is closing as Samoa and Tonga continue to elevate their programs. Samoa previously made history in 2023 by clinching their first ever Oceania crown, and they will be looking to reclaim that glory during the final matchday in Ba on April 25.
The history of the tournament is relatively young but carries significant weight for global qualification. Established in 2016 to provide consistent international fixtures for Pacific nations, the championship has since evolved into a pathway for the Rugby World Cup and the WXV series. What began as a two-team playoff between Fiji and Papua New Guinea has grown into a multi-nation spectacle that occasionally includes development squads from New Zealand and Australia. As the 2026 edition approaches, the focus remains on building a sustainable future for women’s rugby while celebrating the unique, physical style of play that defines the Pacific game.
Tournament History
- 2025 – Fiji (over Samoa and Tonga)
- 2024 – Fiji (over Samoa; qualified for 2025 Rugby World Cup and WXV 3)
- 2023 – Samoa (over Fiji; both qualified for WXV)
- 2022 – Fiji (over Samoa, Tonga, and Papua New Guinea)
- 2020 – Not held (COVID-19)
- 2019 – Black Ferns Development XV (over Australia A and Fiji)
- 2018 – Fiji (over Samoa, Tonga, and Papua New Guinea)
- 2016 – Fiji (over Papua New Guinea)
Watch
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