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

Pacific Championships Team Lists: Week 1

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

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:

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

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:

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

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:

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

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:

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.

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National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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