Both Tonga and Samoa boast formidable squads to challenge at this Pacific Championships and will be out to make a statement for their nations when they take to the field in Fiji.
A place in the upcoming 2026 Women’s Rugby League World Cup is also on the line as well, giving this year’s Pacific Championship matches even more meaning.
Both sides have a majority of players who have featured in the NRLW competition throughout this season and will field strong forward packs who will have a big say in the outcome of the game.
Tonga have a number of players who featured in the recent NRLW grand final for the Sharks, while Samoa also have combinations to call on, with Titans including Evania Pelite at fullback and Sienna Lofipo at lock having an established connection that was also strengthened during Queensland's Origin campaign.
Tonga women's team will be co-captained by Sharks second-rower Vanessa Foliaki and Wests Tigers centre Natasha Penitani who both featured for the nation in last year's Pacific Championships tournament.
Match: Tonga XIII v Fetu Samoa
Week 1 -
home Team
Tonga XIII
away Team
Fetu Samoa
Venue: HFC Bank Stadium, Suva
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
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, Manilita Takapautolo, Filomina Hanisi and Foliaki are all now teammates for Tonga.
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.
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
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Interchange for Tonga XIII is number 14 Tatiana FinauInterchange for Fetu Samoa is number 14 Jetaya Faifua
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Interchange for Tonga XIII is number 15 Filomina HanisiInterchange for Fetu Samoa is number 15 Simone Karpani
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Interchange for Tonga XIII is number 16 Dannii PereseInterchange for Fetu Samoa is number 16 Pihuka Berryman-Duff
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Interchange for Tonga XIII is number 17 Paea UilouInterchange for Fetu Samoa is number 17 Evah McEwen
Reserves
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Replacement for Tonga XIII is number 18 Shannon MuruReplacement for Fetu Samoa is number 18 Jasmine Fogavini
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Reserve for Tonga XIII is number 19 Seli MailangiReserve for Fetu Samoa is number 19 Makayla Eli
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Reserve for Tonga XIII is number 20 Metanoia Fotu-MoalaReserve for Fetu Samoa is number 20 Shontelle Stowers
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Reserve for Tonga XIII is number 21 Claudia Finau
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Tonga’s squad includes 15 players with NRLW experience and 12 who played in 2024.
- Samoa has won both international clashes against Tonga (44-4 in 2003 and 40-0 in 2008).
- Tonga forwards Vanessa Foliaki and Filomina Hanisi have played State of Origin for New South Wales.
- Only three members of Samoa’s squad have not appeared in the NRLW premiership.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
