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Tapine ready for Kiwis to face 'blood bath' against Samoa
Jaxin Daniels • October 16th, 2025 5:32 pm
Joseph Tapine after scoring in last year's Pacific Championship for the Kiwis | Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport
Kiwis star Joseph Tapine joined Sport Nation’s Sam Ackerman to preview the Pacific Championships opener against Toa Samoa at Go Media Stadium this weekend.
Joining the Kiwis camp after the NRL season is a pretty quick turnaround, but Tapine knows what’s needed to click as a team.
“It’s a tough one,” Tapine said.
“We all play footy and we know how to play, it’s probably just building combinations.
“We trained the other day, a pretty intense one, and we’ve got another big session today so we’re just making sure our they have good intent in them.
“Going off the other day, the boys are firing.”
Payne Haas, Junior Paulo and Josh Papali’i will face Tapine, James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota in the middle, something that host Ackerman suggests could be Earth shattering.
“I hope that Go Media Stadium has some earthquake proofing,” Ackerman suggested.
“The first 15 to 20 minutes is going to be a blood bath,” Tapine replied.
“That’s what we train for, we’re keen. The boys have been talking about that and going after them so that’s our goal this week.”
Ackerman is particularly excited to see Tapine face his Raiders teammate and friend, Josh Papali’i.
“We’ll go at it during the game and enjoy a cold one after,” Tapine said.
“He’s probably one of my best mates.
“I know there’ll be no love lost after the game, but we’re playing for our country, so it’s going to be pretty intense out there.”
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NZ Warriors fans are familiar with Tapine’s intensity, something he put on full display when his Raiders played the Wahs in Auckland this year, winning 16-10 in Round 12.
“Coming home and getting booed, it gave me a bit of extra fire,” Tapine said.
“I could tell the Warriors fans didn’t really like me after that, I had to turn my messages off.”
But those fans can turn from haters to fans as the No. 13 looks to use this year's tournament as preparation for next year’s Rugby League World Cup.
“Going into the World Cup next year, we have to build into that,” Tapine said.
“We need to put that jersey where it belongs and put some respect on our jersey.
“There will be a point to prove this year.
“Some of their players across the forward packs are the most dominant in the NRL, I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
The Kiwis play Toa Samoa at 6:05pm on Sunday 19 October at Go Media Stadium.
Listen to the full interview below:
