The aim of the Pacific Rim Championship was to promote awareness of the game in the region with a view to re-establishing international fixtures and full contact with the main nations Australia, Great Britain and New Zealand in the near future.

The teams that participated in the 2004 Pacific Rim competition were: Tonga, Fiji, New Zealand Māori, Niue, Samoa and the Cook Islands.

The official opening was held as part of the pre-match programme for the Tri-Nations test match between Australia and the New Zealand Kiwis on 16 October.

A colourful parade of flags representing the participating countries was led into the stadium in front of about 20,000 spectators before kick-off.

[2] New Zealand Māori were coached by Tawera Nikau who was assisted by Terry Hermansson.