NRL 2023, Pacific Championships Men, Pacific Championships Women, official team lists, injuries, updates, Kangaroos, Jillaroos

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Wed 11 Oct 2023, 07:21 AM

Official team lists, updates and injury news for Week 1 of the 2023 Pacific Championships Men's and Women's tournaments.

Casualty Ward: Latest injury news and details

Pacific Championships Team Lists: Week 1

Kangaroos v Toa Samoa, Saturday 8.10pm (AEDT) at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Week 1 - Week 1 - Saturday 14 Oct

Full Time

Kangaroos

Toa Samoa

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Kangaroos is number 1 James Tedesco

Fullback for Toa Samoa is number 1 Sualauvi Faalogo
Winger for Kangaroos is number 2 Dylan Edwards

Winger for Toa Samoa is number 2 Murray Taulagi
Centre for Kangaroos is number 3 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Centre for Toa Samoa is number 3 Izack Tago
Centre for Kangaroos is number 4 Kotoni Staggs

Centre for Toa Samoa is number 4 Young Tonumaipea
Winger for Kangaroos is number 5 Selwyn Cobbo

Winger for Toa Samoa is number 5 Brian To'o
Five-Eighth for Kangaroos is number 6 Cameron Munster

Five-Eighth for Toa Samoa is number 6 Stephen Crichton
Halfback for Kangaroos is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans

Halfback for Toa Samoa is number 7 Daejarn Asi

Forwards

Prop for Kangaroos is number 8 Payne Haas

Prop for Toa Samoa is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
Hooker for Kangaroos is number 9 Ben Hunt

Hooker for Toa Samoa is number 19 Justin Matamua
Prop for Kangaroos is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

Prop for Toa Samoa is number 10 Junior Paulo
2nd Row for Kangaroos is number 11 Cameron Murray

2nd Row for Toa Samoa is number 11 Luciano Leilua
2nd Row for Kangaroos is number 12 Liam Martin

2nd Row for Toa Samoa is number 12 Connelly Lemuelu
Lock for Kangaroos is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Lock for Toa Samoa is number 13 Keenan Palasia

Interchange

Interchange for Kangaroos is number 14 Harry Grant

Interchange for Toa Samoa is number 9 Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Interchange for Kangaroos is number 15 Lindsay Collins

Interchange for Toa Samoa is number 14 Spencer Leniu
Interchange for Kangaroos is number 16 Patrick Carrigan

Interchange for Toa Samoa is number 15 Terrell May
Interchange for Kangaroos is number 17 Reuben Cotter

Interchange for Toa Samoa is number 16 Heilum Luki

Reserves

Replacement for Kangaroos is number 18 Nicholas Hynes

Replacement for Toa Samoa is number 18 Royce Hunt

Match Officials

Referee: Grant Atkins
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 10/25/2023 6:14:01 AM

Kangaroos: Dylan Edwards, Kotoni Staggs, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Selwyn Cobbo will make their Kangaroos debuts as part of a new-look backline that also also includes Daly Cherry-Evans taking over from Nathan Cleary (knee) at halfback. Ben Hunt and Harry Grant will again share the hooking role with nine members of the side that won the World Cup Final last November set to take the field in Townsville. Late call-up Nicho Hynes is 18th Man.

Toa Samoa: The absence of Jarome Luai (shoulder) sees his Panthers teammate Stephen Crichton move to five-eighth to partner newcomer Daejarn Asi in the halves. Brian To'o, Izack Tago and Spencer Leniu are the other Panthers named in the 17. Cowboys edge forward Heilum Luki is in line to play his first international and fellow Cowboy Murray Taulagi makes his Samoa debut after he was part of the Kangaroos squad at the World Cup. Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu and Manly hooker gets Gordon Chan Kum Tong make their Test debut in the front row alongside inspirational leader Junior Paulo.

PNG Kumuls v Cook Islands Aitu, Sunday 4.00pm (AEDT) at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby

Week 1 - Week 1 - Sunday 15 Oct

Full Time

PNG Kumuls

Cook Islands Aitu

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for PNG Kumuls is number 1 Alex Johnston

Fullback for Cook Islands Aitu is number 1 Esom Ioka
Winger for PNG Kumuls is number 2 Robert Derby

Winger for Cook Islands Aitu is number 2 Malachi Morgan
Centre for PNG Kumuls is number 3 Zac Laybutt

Centre for Cook Islands Aitu is number 3 Kayal Iro
Centre for PNG Kumuls is number 4 Rodrick Tai

Centre for Cook Islands Aitu is number 4 Esan Marsters
Winger for PNG Kumuls is number 5 Nene Macdonald

Winger for Cook Islands Aitu is number 5 Steven Marsters
Five-Eighth for PNG Kumuls is number 6 Kyle Laybutt

Five-Eighth for Cook Islands Aitu is number 6 Brad Takairangi
Halfback for PNG Kumuls is number 7 Lachlan Lam

Halfback for Cook Islands Aitu is number 7 Tevin Arona

Forwards

Prop for PNG Kumuls is number 8 Epel Kapinias

Prop for Cook Islands Aitu is number 8 Davvy Moale
Hooker for PNG Kumuls is number 9 Judah Rimbu

Hooker for Cook Islands Aitu is number 9 Rua Ngatikaura
Prop for PNG Kumuls is number 10 Valentine Richard

Prop for Cook Islands Aitu is number 10 Makahesi Makatoa
2nd Row for PNG Kumuls is number 11 Jacob Alick

2nd Row for Cook Islands Aitu is number 11 Zane Tetevano
2nd Row for PNG Kumuls is number 12 Dan Russell

2nd Row for Cook Islands Aitu is number 12 Reuben Porter
Lock for PNG Kumuls is number 13 Jack De Belin

Lock for Cook Islands Aitu is number 13 Pride Petterson-Robati

Interchange

Interchange for PNG Kumuls is number 14 Liam Horne

Interchange for Cook Islands Aitu is number 15 Rhys Dakin
Interchange for PNG Kumuls is number 15 Nixon Putt

Interchange for Cook Islands Aitu is number 16 Justin Estall-Makirere
Interchange for PNG Kumuls is number 16 Junior Rop

Interchange for Cook Islands Aitu is number 17 Kadiyae Ioka
Interchange for PNG Kumuls is number 17 Benji Kot

Interchange for Cook Islands Aitu is number 18 Takai Mokohar

Reserves

Replacement for PNG Kumuls is number 18 Cruise Ten

Replacement for Cook Islands Aitu is number 14 William Samuel

Match Officials

Referee: Peter Gough
Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 10/25/2023 6:14:01 AM

Kumuls: Jack de Belin will make his Test debut at lock for Justin Holbrook's side and joins Dragons teammate Dan Russell and Titans prospect Jacob Alick in the forward pack. Storm centre Justin Olam is the major omission from the 17 and is under an injury cloud, but has been included in the wider squad, with Zac Laybutt and Rodrick Tai named in the centres. Alex Johnston moves from his usual spot on the wing to line up at fullback. Edwin Ipape is serving a one-game suspension from the RFL and has not been named.

Cook Islands: Brad Takairangi is the new five-eighth for the Cook Islands, partnering Tevin Arona in the halves. Esan and Steven Marsters are set to combine on the same edge as the centre-wing pairing, while NRL established forwards Davvy Moala and Zane Tetevano headline the side's forward pack. Cronulla young gun Kayal Iro is one to watch after being named in the centres.

Jillaroos v Kiwi Ferns, Saturday 6.00pm (AEDT) at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Week 1 - Week 1 - Saturday 14 Oct

Full Time

Jillaroos

Kiwi Ferns

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Jillaroos is number 1 Tamika Upton

Fullback for Kiwi Ferns is number 1 Apii Nicholls
Winger for Jillaroos is number 2 Jaime Chapman

Winger for Kiwi Ferns is number 2 Annessa Biddle
Centre for Jillaroos is number 3 Jessica Sergis

Centre for Kiwi Ferns is number 3 Shanice Parker
Centre for Jillaroos is number 4 Isabelle Kelly

Centre for Kiwi Ferns is number 4 Mele Hufanga
Winger for Jillaroos is number 5 Julia Robinson

Winger for Kiwi Ferns is number 5 Leianne Tufuga
Five-Eighth for Jillaroos is number 6 Tarryn Aiken

Five-Eighth for Kiwi Ferns is number 6 Ashleigh Quinlan
Halfback for Jillaroos is number 7 Ali Brigginshaw

Halfback for Kiwi Ferns is number 7 Raecene McGregor

Forwards

Prop for Jillaroos is number 8 Shannon Mato

Prop for Kiwi Ferns is number 8 Mya Hill-Moana
Hooker for Jillaroos is number 9 Keeley Davis

Hooker for Kiwi Ferns is number 9 Brooke Anderson
Prop for Jillaroos is number 10 Jessika Elliston

Prop for Kiwi Ferns is number 10 Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa
2nd Row for Jillaroos is number 11 Kezie Apps

2nd Row for Kiwi Ferns is number 11 Otesa Pule
2nd Row for Jillaroos is number 12 Olivia Kernick

2nd Row for Kiwi Ferns is number 12 Laishon Albert-Jones
Lock for Jillaroos is number 13 Simaima Taufa

Lock for Kiwi Ferns is number 13 Georgia Hale

Interchange

Interchange for Jillaroos is number 14 Emma Tonegato

Interchange for Kiwi Ferns is number 14 Tyla Nathan-Wong
Interchange for Jillaroos is number 15 Caitlan Johnston

Interchange for Kiwi Ferns is number 15 Najvada George
Interchange for Jillaroos is number 16 Kennedy Cherrington

Interchange for Kiwi Ferns is number 16 Jasmine Fogavini
Interchange for Jillaroos is number 18 Lauren Brown

Interchange for Kiwi Ferns is number 17 Amelia Pasikala

Reserves

Replacement for Jillaroos is number 17 Shaylee Bent

Replacement for Kiwi Ferns is number 18 Abigail Roache

Match Officials

Referee: Todd Smith
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Touch Judge: Darian Furner
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 10/25/2023 6:16:02 AM

Jillaroos: Knights superstar Tamika Upton makes her Test debut at fullback as part of a star-studded backline that includes World Cup winners Jess Sergis, Isabelle Kelly, Julia Robinson, Tarryn Aiken and Ali Brigginshaw. The injury to Evania Pelite opens the door for Titans teammate Jaime Chapman to grab a wing spot while her Titans teammate Jessika Elliston makes her Test debut at prop. Kezie Apps will co-captain the side along with Brigginshaw.

Kiwi Ferns: Experienced campaigners Georgia Hale, Apii Nicholls and Mya Hill-Moana will look to lead the way with Raecene McGregor steering the ship from halfback. Broncos powerhouse Mele Hufanga will look to continue her run of tryscoring form and is joined in the centres by Knights star Shanice Parker while Cronulla's rookie sensation Anessa Biddle makes her Test debut on the wing and Ashleigh Quinlan gets her first cap at five-eighth. The bench features four international newcomers in Olympic gold medallist and dual code star Tyla Nathan-Wong, Broncos forward Jasmine Fogavini, Rooster Amelia Pasikala and Wests Tigers lock Najvada George.

Fetu Samoa v Fiji Bulikula, Sunday 1.45pm (AEDT) at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby

Week 1 - Week 1 - Sunday 15 Oct

Full Time

Fetu Samoa

Fiji Bulikula

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Fetu Samoa is number 1 Destiny Mino-Sinapati

Fullback for Fiji Bulikula is number 1 Cassie Staples
Winger for Fetu Samoa is number 2 Taylor Mapusua

Winger for Fiji Bulikula is number 2 Vitalina Naikore
Centre for Fetu Samoa is number 3 Petesa Lio

Centre for Fiji Bulikula is number 3 Merewalesi Rokouono
Centre for Fetu Samoa is number 4 Niall Williams-Guthrie

Centre for Fiji Bulikula is number 4 Patricia Raikadroka
Winger for Fetu Samoa is number 5 Lindsay Tui

Winger for Fiji Bulikula is number 5 Asena Rokomarama
Five-Eighth for Fetu Samoa is number 6 Pauline Piliae-Rasabale

Five-Eighth for Fiji Bulikula is number 6 Sienna Laing
Halfback for Fetu Samoa is number 7 Sienna Lofipo

Halfback for Fiji Bulikula is number 7 Sereana Naitokatoka

Forwards

Prop for Fetu Samoa is number 8 Fiona Jahnke

Prop for Fiji Bulikula is number 8 Aliti Namoce
Hooker for Fetu Samoa is number 9 Destiny Brill

Hooker for Fiji Bulikula is number 9 Teaghan Laing
Prop for Fetu Samoa is number 10 Janelle Williams

Prop for Fiji Bulikula is number 10 Anastacia Shum-Cottrell
2nd Row for Fetu Samoa is number 12 Malaela Sua

2nd Row for Fiji Bulikula is number 11 Talei Holmes
2nd Row for Fetu Samoa is number 15 Onjeurlina Hunt

2nd Row for Fiji Bulikula is number 12 Ema Rainima
Lock for Fetu Samoa is number 13 Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala

Lock for Fiji Bulikula is number 13 Josephine Maejiirs

Interchange

Interchange for Fetu Samoa is number 16 Pihuka Berryman-Duff

Interchange for Fiji Bulikula is number 14 Siniva Sa'anga
Interchange for Fetu Samoa is number 18 Tafao Asaua

Interchange for Fiji Bulikula is number 15 Grace Waqa
Interchange for Fetu Samoa is number 19 Tamerah Leati

Interchange for Fiji Bulikula is number 16 Mere Kilawekana
Interchange for Fetu Samoa is number 21 Makayla Eli

Interchange for Fiji Bulikula is number 17 Adi Sokula Waqa

Reserves

Replacement for Fetu Samoa is number 17 Sauleone Saipele

Replacement for Fiji Bulikula is number 18 Alesi Kilawekana

Match Officials

Referee: Liam Kennedy
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 10/25/2023 6:16:02 AM

Fetu Samoa: Niall Williams-Guthrie starts in the centres while Titans young guns Destiny Mino-Sinapati and Sienna Lofipo headline an impressive Samoa spine that also includes Wests Tigers playmaker Pauline Piliae-Rasabale. Origin winner Destiny Brill is the hooker with Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala named at lock.

Fiji Bulikula: Sharks winger Cassie Staples moves to fullback while Patricia Raikadroka, who represented the Australian Prime Minister's XIII in 2018 and 2019 has been named in the centres. Former Dragon, Eel and current Shark Sereana Naitokatoka is the halfback with Sienna Laing named at five-eighth. Her sister Teaghan Laing, who was one of the first women to represent Fiji in rugby league has been named at hooker.