Mate Ma'a Tonga will kick off their 2023 Pacific Championships campaign when they head to Auckland to meet with a new-look Kiwi Ferns side.
While Tonga didn't qualify for last year's World Cup, they are familiar with the international powerhouse that is the Kiwi Ferns after facing off in last year's mid-year Test match.
The Tongan side went down 50-12 in Auckland last year but the Ferns can expect a more experienced Mate Ma'a side this year with a number of new NRLW stars featuring in the side including former Jillaroo Tiana Penitani.
Meanwhile, the Ferns couldn't get the job done against the Aussies on Saturday and coach Ricky Henry has made several positional changes as his side looks to hit back in front of a passionate home crowd at Auckland.
After losing the World Cup final by 50 points last November, the Ferns will have taken plenty of heart from their 16-10 effort against the Jillaroos but look to have gone back to the drawing board as they prepare for next week's rematch after meeting Tonga on Saturday.
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Team News
Kiwi Ferns: Coach Ricky Henry has made a number of changes to the squad which went down to the Jillaroos 16-10 last week, the most significant of which sees Shanice Parker shift from centre to fullback and Tyla Nathan-Wong join the starting side at five-eighth, after making her Test debut off the bench against Australia. Apii Nicholls and Ashleigh Quinlan drop back to the wider reserves after starting last week, as does Laishon Albert-Jones, whose place in the second row is taken by Annessa Biddle. Biddle made a try-scoring debut on the wing against the Jillaroos, with her positional switch opening the door for Cheyelle Robins-Reti to debut on the flank. Abigail Roache comes into the centres and Tiana Davison is the new face on the bench.
Mate Ma'a Tonga: NSW outside back Tiana Penitani is a surprise selection in the No.7 jersey and will form a halves combination with Eels centre Cassey Tohi Hiku, in what will be both players’ first outing for Tonga. Penitani is joined in the squad by her sister Natasha, who was part of the Tongan side that played New Zealand last year in Auckland. Former Jillaroo Vanessa Foliaki heads up a forward pack which includes Titans prospect Dannii Perese, Parramatta second-rower Amelia Mafi and Sharks middle Tegan Dymock. Maroons representative China Polata will play centre after being used on the wing and at prop during the 2023 NRLW season with the Cowboys.
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Stat Attack
- Kiwi Ferns centre Mele Hufanga made an incredible 17 tackle breaks against the Jillaroos in Townsville last weekend.
- New Zealand lock Georgia Hale made the most tackles in last year's World Cup with 176 over four games.
- Tonga hooker Shirley Mailangi racked up the most tackles for her side (30) in last year's Test against the Ferns.