Official team lists, updates and injury news for Week 1 of the 2024 Pacific Championships Men's and Women's tournaments.
Pacific Championships Team Lists: Week 1
Kangaroos v Tonga XIII, Friday 8.10pm (AEDT) at Suncorp Stadium
Match: Kangaroos v Tonga XIII
Week 1 -
home Team
Kangaroos
away Team
Tonga XIII
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Kangaroos is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Tonga XIII is number 1 Lehi Hopoate
-
Winger for Kangaroos is number 2 Xavier CoatesWinger for Tonga XIII is number 2 Daniel Tupou
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Centre for Kangaroos is number 3 Hamiso Tabuai-FidowCentre for Tonga XIII is number 3 Mosese Suli
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Centre for Kangaroos is number 4 Tom TrbojevicCentre for Tonga XIII is number 4 Paul Alamoti
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Winger for Kangaroos is number 5 Zac LomaxWinger for Tonga XIII is number 5 Sione Katoa
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Five-Eighth for Kangaroos is number 6 Tom DeardenFive-Eighth for Tonga XIII is number 6 Tuimoala Lolohea
-
Halfback for Kangaroos is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Tonga XIII is number 7 Isaiya Katoa
Forwards
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Prop for Kangaroos is number 8 Patrick CarriganProp for Tonga XIII is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
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Hooker for Kangaroos is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Tonga XIII is number 9 Siliva Havili
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Prop for Kangaroos is number 10 Lindsay CollinsProp for Tonga XIII is number 10 Felise Kaufusi
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2nd Row for Kangaroos is number 11 Angus Crichton2nd Row for Tonga XIII is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
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2nd Row for Kangaroos is number 12 Cameron Murray2nd Row for Tonga XIII is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
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Lock for Kangaroos is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Tonga XIII is number 13 Jason Taumalolo
Interchange
-
Interchange for Kangaroos is number 14 Matt BurtonInterchange for Tonga XIII is number 14 Soni Luke
-
Interchange for Kangaroos is number 15 Mitchell BarnettInterchange for Tonga XIII is number 15 Sitili Tupouniua
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Interchange for Kangaroos is number 16 Reuben CotterInterchange for Tonga XIII is number 16 Taniela Paseka
-
Interchange for Kangaroos is number 17 Hudson YoungInterchange for Tonga XIII is number 17 Keaon Koloamatangi
Reserves
-
Replacement for Kangaroos is number 18 Ben HuntReplacement for Tonga XIII is number 18 Tolutau Koula
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Kangaroos: A new-look halves pairing for Mal Meninga with Tom Dearden and Mitch Moses both making their Test debuts, along with wingers Xavier Coates and Zac Lomax and bench forwards Mitch Barnett and Hudson Young. Sea Eagles superstar Tom Trbojevic plays his first Test match since 2018, forming a lethal centre combination with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. At the back, Panthers star Dylan Edwards takes over in the No.1 jersey, while up front it's Issah Yeo assuming the captaincy and leading an experienced pack that includes Wally Lewis Medal winner Angus Crichton and his Roosters teammate Lindsay Collins.
Tonga XIII: Panthers grand final hero Paul Alamoti has been handed his Test debut while Manly pair Lehi Hopoate and Taniela Paseka also play their first Test match. Huddersfield’s Tui Lolohea is the only member of the squad returning from the Super League and teams up in the halves with Dolphins young gun Isaiya Katoa. Veterans Addin Fonua-Blake and Felise Kaufusi are the starting props with Jason Taumalolo, Haumole Olakau'atu and Eli Katoa making up an all-star back row. The bench also boasts plenty of firepower with Keaon Koloamatangi, Paseka and Sitili Tupouniua joined by Panthers dynamo Soni Luke, who played four Tests at the 2022 World Cup.
Jillaroos v PNG Orchids, Friday 6.05pm (AEDT) at Suncorp StadiumÂ
Match: Jillaroos v PNG Orchids
Week 1 -
home Team
Jillaroos
away Team
PNG Orchids
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Jillaroos is number 1 Tamika UptonFullback for PNG Orchids is number 1 Mala Mark
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Winger for Jillaroos is number 2 Julia RobinsonWinger for PNG Orchids is number 2 Freda Waula
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Centre for Jillaroos is number 3 Isabelle KellyCentre for PNG Orchids is number 3 Belinda Gwasamun
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Centre for Jillaroos is number 18 Jessica SergisCentre for PNG Orchids is number 4 La-Toniya Norris-Addo
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Winger for Jillaroos is number 5 Jakiya WhitfeldWinger for PNG Orchids is number 5 Lyiannah Allen
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Five-Eighth for Jillaroos is number 4 Tiana PenitaniFive-Eighth for PNG Orchids is number 6 Sera Koroi
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Halfback for Jillaroos is number 7 Tarryn AikenHalfback for PNG Orchids is number 7 Delailah Ahose
Forwards
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Prop for Jillaroos is number 8 Millie ElliottProp for PNG Orchids is number 8 Essay Banu
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Hooker for Jillaroos is number 9 Quincy DoddHooker for PNG Orchids is number 9 Ua Ravu
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Prop for Jillaroos is number 10 Shannon MatoProp for PNG Orchids is number 10 Elsie Albert
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2nd Row for Jillaroos is number 11 Kezie Apps2nd Row for PNG Orchids is number 11 Sareka Mooka
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2nd Row for Jillaroos is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale2nd Row for PNG Orchids is number 12 Emily Veivers
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Lock for Jillaroos is number 13 Simaima TaufaLock for PNG Orchids is number 13 Gloria Kaupa
Interchange
-
Interchange for Jillaroos is number 14 Olivia HigginsInterchange for PNG Orchids is number 14 Roswita Kapo
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Interchange for Jillaroos is number 15 Sarah TogatukiInterchange for PNG Orchids is number 15 Jessikah Reeves
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Interchange for Jillaroos is number 16 Keilee JosephInterchange for PNG Orchids is number 16 Talitha Kunjil
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Interchange for Jillaroos is number 17 Mahalia MurphyInterchange for PNG Orchids is number 17 Leila Kerowa
Reserves
-
Replacement for Jillaroos is number 19 Abbi ChurchReplacement for PNG Orchids is number 18 Lilah Malabag
Match Officials
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Peter Gough
Last updated:
Jillaroos: Ali Brigginshaw and Kezie Apps will lead a Jillaroos side boasting three debutantes in starting hooker Quincy Dodd and her back-up Olivia Higgins, as well as bench forward Sarah Togatuki. Nine members of the side that lost last year's Pac Champs final to New Zealand are back on deck, including fullback Tamika Upton and chief playmaker Tarryn Aiken, who shifts from five-eighth to halfback. Lauren Brown is listed among the reserves after suffering a hamstring injury playing for the PM's XIII on Sunday.Â
Orchids: After sitting out the PM's XIII match to be kept fresh for the Pac Champs, PNG legend Elsie Albert will captain her country against Australia. Cowboys duo Essay Banu and Sareka Mooka bring plenty of class to the forward pack while experienced centre Belinda Gwasamun has been playing with Wentworthville Magpies and was named joint winner of the Tahnee Norris Medal at the NRL’s Harvey Norman Women’s National Championships. Hooker Ua Ravu represented the Orchids at the World Cup in 2022 and has racked up four Tests for the Orchids. Jessikah Reeves and Sera Koroi both have NRLW experience with the Cowboys.
Tonga XIII v Fetu Samoa, Saturday 5.00pm (AEDT) at HFC Bank Stadium, Suva
Match: Tonga XIII v Fetu Samoa
Week 1 -
home Team
Tonga XIII
away Team
Fetu Samoa
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Tonga XIII is number 1 Ana MalupoFullback for Fetu Samoa is number 1 Evania Pelite
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Winger for Tonga XIII is number 2 Maatuleio Fotu-MoalaWinger for Fetu Samoa is number 2 Mercedez Taulelei-Siala
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Centre for Tonga XIII is number 3 Litia FusiCentre for Fetu Samoa is number 3 Lindsay Tui
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Centre for Tonga XIII is number 4 Kate FallonCentre for Fetu Samoa is number 4 Sarina Masaga
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Winger for Tonga XIII is number 5 Lavinia TauhalalikuWinger for Fetu Samoa is number 5 Jessica Patea
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Five-Eighth for Tonga XIII is number 6 Emmanita PakiFive-Eighth for Fetu Samoa is number 6 Tavarna Papalii
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Halfback for Tonga XIII is number 7 Cassey Tohi-HikuHalfback for Fetu Samoa is number 7 Pauline Piliae-Rasabale
Forwards
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Prop for Tonga XIII is number 8 Pani HopoateProp for Fetu Samoa is number 8 Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala
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Hooker for Tonga XIII is number 9 Jade FonuaHooker for Fetu Samoa is number 9 Destiny Brill
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Prop for Tonga XIII is number 10 Tegan DymockProp for Fetu Samoa is number 10 Laikha Clarke
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2nd Row for Tonga XIII is number 11 Manilita Takapautolo2nd Row for Fetu Samoa is number 11 Monalisa Soliola
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2nd Row for Tonga XIII is number 12 Vanessa Foliaki2nd Row for Fetu Samoa is number 12 Christian Pio
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Lock for Tonga XIII is number 13 Natasha PenitaniLock for Fetu Samoa is number 13 Sienna Lofipo
Interchange
-
Interchange for Tonga XIII is number 15 Filomina HanisiInterchange for Fetu Samoa is number 14 Jetaya Faifua
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Interchange for Tonga XIII is number 16 Dannii PereseInterchange for Fetu Samoa is number 15 Simone Karpani
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Interchange for Tonga XIII is number 17 Paea UilouInterchange for Fetu Samoa is number 16 Pihuka Berryman-Duff
-
Interchange for Tonga XIII is number 19 Seli MailangiInterchange for Fetu Samoa is number 17 Evah McEwen
Reserves
-
Replacement for Tonga XIII is number 14 Tatiana FinauReplacement for Fetu Samoa is number 18 Jasmine Fogavini
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Tonga: Emmanita Paki makes her international debut at five-eighth alongside Eels playmaker Cassey Tohi-Hiku, who moves from her regular No.6 jersey into the halfback role. Exciting young fullback Ana Malupo and centre Kate Fallon also makes their Test debuts. Vastly experienced forward Vanessa Foliaki will co-captain the Tonga side along with Natasha Penitani, who lines up for her third Test match. After squaring off in the NRLW grand final a fortnight ago, Rooster Pani Hopoate and Sharks Tegan Dymock, ManilitaTakapautolo, Filomina Hanisi and Foliaki are all now teammates for Tonga
Fetu Samoa: Former Jillaroo Evania Pelite is joined by fellow Titans Sienna Lofipo, Sarina Masaga and Laikha Clarke in a strong Fetu Samoa outfit looking to build on an impressive win over Fiji in last year's Pac Champs. Centre Lindsay Tui bagged a double in that game while skipper Annetta-Claudia Nuuausala was also among the tries. Wests Tigers back-rower Christian Pio earns a Test debut on the back of a strong season in which she averaged 108 metres per game. Young flyer Mercedez Taulelei-Siala played centre for Queensland Under-19s against NSW this year and gets her first Test cap on the wing.
The Women's Pacific Championship draw explained
Fiji Bati v PNG Kumuls, Saturday 7.10pm (AEDT) at HFC Bank Stadium, Suva
Match: Fiji Bati v PNG Kumuls
Week 1 -
home Team
Fiji Bati
away Team
PNG Kumuls
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Fiji Bati is number 1 Sunia TuruvaFullback for PNG Kumuls is number 1 Nene Macdonald
-
Winger for Fiji Bati is number 2 Maika SivoWinger for PNG Kumuls is number 2 Elijah Roltinga
-
Centre for Fiji Bati is number 3 Michael JenningsCentre for PNG Kumuls is number 3 Robert Mathias
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Centre for Fiji Bati is number 4 Waqa BlakeCentre for PNG Kumuls is number 4 Rodrick Tai
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Winger for Fiji Bati is number 5 Semi ValemeiWinger for PNG Kumuls is number 5 Robert Derby
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Five-Eighth for Fiji Bati is number 6 Kevin NaiqamaFive-Eighth for PNG Kumuls is number 6 Kyle Laybutt
-
Halfback for Fiji Bati is number 7 Kurt DonoghoeHalfback for PNG Kumuls is number 7 Lachlan Lam
Forwards
-
Prop for Fiji Bati is number 8 Tui KamikamicaProp for PNG Kumuls is number 8 Valentine Richard
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Hooker for Fiji Bati is number 9 Penioni TagituimuaHooker for PNG Kumuls is number 14 Liam Horne
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Prop for Fiji Bati is number 10 Ben NakubuwaiProp for PNG Kumuls is number 10 Jacob Alick-Wiencke
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2nd Row for Fiji Bati is number 11 Viliame Kikau2nd Row for PNG Kumuls is number 11 Rhyse Martin
-
2nd Row for Fiji Bati is number 15 Taane Milne2nd Row for PNG Kumuls is number 12 Jeremiah Simbiken
-
Lock for Fiji Bati is number 13 Caleb NavaleLock for PNG Kumuls is number 13 Jack De Belin
Interchange
-
Interchange for Fiji Bati is number 12 Kitione KautogaInterchange for PNG Kumuls is number 9 Judah Rimbu
-
Interchange for Fiji Bati is number 14 Joe LovoduaInterchange for PNG Kumuls is number 15 Koso Bandi
-
Interchange for Fiji Bati is number 17 Jordan MillerInterchange for PNG Kumuls is number 22 Ila Alu
-
Interchange for Fiji Bati is number 20 Nathan Kegg-KingInterchange for PNG Kumuls is number 23 Sylvester Namo
Reserves
-
Replacement for Fiji Bati is number 16 Kylan MafoaReplacement for PNG Kumuls is number 18 Dan Russell
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Fiji Bati: Storm big man Tui Kamikamica will captain a vastly experienced Bati outfit that includes former skipper Kevin Naiqama, who lines up for his 25th Test match, as well as blockbusting winger Maika Sivo in his 11th Test for Fiji and Viliame Kikau in his 17th Test. Panthers premiership winner Sunia Turuva is the fullback while Dolphins playmaker Kurt Donoghoe wears the No.7. Emerging NRL forwards Caleb Navale (Sea Eagles) and Kitione Kautoga (Bulldogs) are back in the pack after featuring in last year's Pacific Championships.
PNG Kumuls: Rhyse Martin skippers a Kumuls side that includes Jack de Belin at lock, Lachlan Lam at halfback and Nene Macdonald at fullback. With star hooker Edwin Ipape sidelined by injury, cult figure Judah Rimbu takes over in the No.9 on the back of a classy display for the PM's XIII. Five-eighth Kyle Laybutt plays his 12th Test match and will form a dangerous combination with Lam, who has 10 Tests to his name. Titans forward Jacob Alick will show the way up front after representing the Kumuls at the 2022 World Cup and 2023 Pac Champs.
