Born in Aussie or NZ, playing for the Pacific: the startling demographics of the Rugby League World Cup

The Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) is currently in its semi-final stage, featuring competitive matches with surprising results and tight scorelines. In the women's competition, New Zealand's Kiwi Ferns will face Fetu Samoa, followed by New Zealand's teams taking on unbeaten Tonga. On Sunday, the men's matches will see Australia's Jillaroos play Fiji, with their counterparts the Kangaroos facing Samoa in a rematch of the previous RLWC men's final.

All four semi-final teams represent Pacific nations; however, the majority of their players were born in Australia or New Zealand. Our analysis of the squad profiles reveals that 85% of the women's teams and 95% of the men's teams were born in these two countries. Many of these players have also represented other nations during their international careers, reflecting the close connections between Pacific countries, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as the opportunities rugby league offers players with ties to multiple nations.

Despite small populations, several Pacific nations, such as Tonga (105,000) and the Cook Islands (under 15,000), have reached the men's semi-finals. Migration, family connections, and population trends significantly influence the rugby league field. The younger populations of Pacific nations, which mirrors the demographic trends in Australia and New Zealand, present a potential "demographic dividend" for the region.

However, realizing this potential requires investment in young people's health, education, and skills, as well as opportunities to develop their talents and aspirations.