Fresh faces are set to light up the Pacific Championships with debutants and underrated stars aiming to put their best foot forward for their countries.
With the tournament being played across three countries in two pools in both the men's and the women's competitions, there is plenty of rugby league to keep the fans entertained and some big names set to make the international stage their own.
Pacific Cup – Men's
Teams: Australia, New Zealand, Samoa
Mal Meninga named a number of players in line to make their debuts in the green and gold in the Australian squad, with Selwyn Cobbo capping another great year with his first selection in the Kangaroos team to face Samoa. Part of a young Broncos side who fell just short in the decider, Cobbo is a proven try scorer who has shown he can handle the big occasions.
Three-time premiership-winning prop Moses Leota will be one to watch in this tournament and will be expected to step up and help fill the void in experience that has been left in the forwards with no Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and no Bromwich brothers. Leota had an injury-disrupted Rugby League World Cup campaign for the Kiwis last year, playing only two games, but this tournament should see the Panthers powerhouse - who has played previously for Samoa - establish himself in the black jersey for many years to come.
Moses Leota Try
Part of Samoa's extended squad in the World Cup last year, the versatile Connelly Lemuelu was a strong performer for the Dolphins this year and has been named to make his run-on debut for Samoa this Saturday in the opener against Australia. Lemuelu, who found a home in the second row for the 'Phins, but can also play in the centres or at prop, crossed the line for seven tries and made 11 linebreaks to finish in the top 50 of the season.
Pacific Cup – Women's
Teams: Australia, New Zealand, Tonga
Given just how dominant she has been in the NRLW competition in recent seasons, it is hard to imagine that this will be the first time fans see Tamika Upton in action for the Jillaroos. Her State of Origin appearances have shown she is not one to get overawed on the representative stage and will prove a handful for all oppositions once she runs out for Australia.
Tamika Upton's 2023 Dally M reel
This year's NRLW rookie of the year winner, Annessa Biddle, headlines the changing face of the Kiwi Ferns and is one of 11 potential debutantes named in the squad for the Pacific Championships. Biddle was outstanding for the Sharks in her first season, also making 620 post-contact metres, the second most in the competition behind Shannon Mato.
Tonga are blessed with a number of talented rookies who look ready to rise to the occasion, with forward Dannii Perese adding to her rugby league resume this year with selection in the national squad. Perese also won the BMD Premiership grand final earlier this season and is fresh from featuring in the grand final as one of the Gold Coast's five teenage Titans, after overcoming an injured hand to make her NRLW debut.
Pacific Bowl – Men's
Teams: Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Fiji
Cowboys youngster Zac Laybutt won plenty of new fans when he stepped up for the Papua New Guinea side in the recent Prime Minister's XIII clash in Port Moresby. Slotting three from three conversions as the home side came within a whisker of upsetting the visitors, Laybutt - who will again be playing for PNG with his older brother Kyle - made his NRL debut this year and will be pressing to claim a centre spot for the Cowboys next season.
Zac Laybutt gets his first career double
The biggest name in the Cook Islands squad may well be that of their coach - Karmichael Hunt - and captain Brad Takairangi. But despite their shortage in experience, the squad do have plenty of players keen to put their best foot forward on the international stage, including Wynnum Manly Seagulls forward William Samuel, who has been in-and-around NRL systems before, including a train-and-trial with the Storm.
A rookie of the year nominee, Jahream Bula was a shining light for Wests Tigers this season and the club will be hoping to see his star continue to rise with his opportunity to represent Fiji. The skilled fullback showed plenty of flair in attack and heart in defence and will be a key member of the Bati side.
Pacific Bowl – Women
Teams: Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa
Inspired by the journey taken by superstar Elsie Albert, PNG Orchids centre Belinda Gwasumun moved to Australia this season to take part in the QRL's BMD Premiership with Norths Devils and experience challenging competition on a more consistent basis. While she is one of the more experienced players in the squad, having served as co-captain in the recent Prime Minister's XIII clash, Gwasumun is yet to fully reach her potential on the big stage, but the recent match against the Australian PM's side did see her display some strong defence. Orchids fans will be excited to see what she can do with the ball in attack.
In last year's Rugby League World Cup, fans got a sneak peek at what halfback Chantay Kiria-Ratu was capable of when she appeared for the Cook Islands. Following a full season of NRLW this year, she will be one of the more experienced in the squad and expected to help guide the likes of players, like Jazmon Tupou-Witchman who have featured in the NRLW, but will relish the opportunity to again step up and learn on the international stage.
Kiria-Ratu's star continues to rise
Samoa coach Jamie Soward has lured one of the more experienced 'rookies' to represent their country in this tournament, with the squad to be captained by rugby sevens convert Niall Williams-Guthrie. A gold medal winner in that sport for New Zealand, the centre made a successful transition to rugby league with the Titans this year, with the Gold Coast making it all the way to the NRLW grand final.
'Making the switch': Williams-Guthrie's journey to NRLW
Fiji's women's side has named six local players in the Bulikula team, with Adi Sokula Waqa, Asenaca Diranuve, Mere Kilawekana, Salote Sukakinamena, Asena Rokomaramam and Alesi Kilawekana gaining selection following strong performances in the country's newly revived open women's competition. Their inclusion will be seen as a huge positive to help inspire more local players to take up rugby league. However, they will lean heavily on players like Sharks second-rower Talei Holmes, who has four season of NRLW under her belt, and will be expected to step up and help lead the inexperienced squad.
