Nations were represented, flags were raised, cultural chants bellowed and ceremonial dances – the modern-day, pre-game ritual from ancestral traditions - performed full of pride.

That's before the 188 matches kicked off in the burgeoning Pasifika Youth Cup rugby union festival which amassed a record 1550 players across 74 teams in Sydney, ran over three days before concluding with nine age-group Cup finals on Sunday.

The far reach of the rugby extravaganza included players ranging from Polynesian and Melanesian diaspora living in Australia, including playing Newcastle Pasifika, and others of Koori Indigenous heritage as well as non-Indigenous Barbarians and Harlequins lineups.

Sydney Junior Rugby Union general manager, Ben Gregory, said the game's biggest event of the state's calendar was saved for last.

The tournament required eight fields at Whalan Park in the west of Sydney to cater for matches, as well as a warm-up pitch for teams to utilise before their upcoming fixtures.

"The Pasifika Youth Cup 2024 is a celebration of culture, heritage and rugby," Gregory said on social media.

"Much like game of rugby itself – it is a fully-inclusive rugby festival.

"Not only does it celebrate the culture and heritage of Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands, the Maori, Koori and Niue – but it is also celebrates the heritage of 41 other nations, who make up the 'United Nations' of Barbarians.

"It had everything from players helping rescue a bogged ambulance to five-try heroes and hot boots (at goals).

"Stars, standouts and some great photos from the Pasifika Youth Rugby Cup 2024.

"The successful Pasifika Youth Rugby Cup will inspire a new rugby event, as early as 2025, while more interstaters and overseas teens could be added to the current titles."

NSW Samoa were the kings and the queens of the tournament after claiming five of the titles while competing in all but two finals.

But the Samoans in nearly every age group had to fight hard, with winning margins of three points or less behind four of their titles.

The Samoa under-18 boys shared one piece of silverware with Fiji, resulting in a 3-3 all draw when the sides could not be separated at extra-time after the tight battle went down to penalty goals.

The most impressive win in the finals was the Samoa under-16 girls, who downed their Māori rivals 33-7 following two tries and four conversions from captain Bailey Ma-Chong.

Samoa under-15 boys edged past Polynesian neighbours Tonga 8-5, a match decided by a penalty goal off the boot of Payton Tarau who also scored Samoa's only try against Selkirk Halabgahu's cross for Tonga.

The closest victory was from Samoa under-14 boys against Fiji, who took out the thrilling final 7-5 after captain Mathias Toailoa converted his side's sole try from Righteous Roberts.

The first of the five crowns earlier in the day came from Samoa under-12 girls in their win 17-14 over Tonga, as Shiloh Love Fukofuka and Jeneva Sautia-Tonga both scored twice for their respective sides.

But the Tongans squared the ledger in the under-12 boys final against Samoa in a 12-7 win.

Tonga under-14 girls also captured the scalp of the Māori side in a 14-7 final win, after Sillia Tuitufu and Faith Ata both scored individual tries while Tiamarni Vai converted both shots at goal.

There were just two Cup winners that held their opposition scoreless.

Maori under-16 boys triumphed 13-0 over Samoa on the back of tries from Reihana Hawea and Ryan Webster.

But the fairytale story of the tournament was the Cook Islands under-18 girls, who outplayed Tonga 15-0 for the title following tries to Chaela-lee Falls and Olivia Saley, as well as a conversion and a penalty goal from skipper Tenaria George to seal the impressive win.

There were also a number of standout performances during the earlier preliminary rounds.

Sasha Turunui, the daughter of former Australian Wallabies centre Morgan Turunui, was a the standout player of the tournament, scoring five tries in one game for the Māori under-16 girls before backing it up with four more tries in another.

Emily Afonso crossed the line four times in Samoa under-12 girls' easy victory over the Cook Islands.

Payton Tarau scored more than half of his Samoa under-15 side's points against Newcastle Pasifika to walk off the pitch with two of his side's six tries and kicking all five conversions.

Standout Koori players included Maronay Smuts in the under-18 girls, who scored two tries and two conversions while teammate Natayah Wells added a further double for their 28-17 win over a Māori lineup.