James Fisher-Harris and the Kiwis celebrate winning the Pacific Championships Cup Grand Final in 2023. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
The Pacific Championship sides have named their squads ahead of the rugby league tournament beginning on 18 October.
The Tonga XIII-Australia games, men's and women's, open the tournament at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
The men's side will be led by Jason Taumalolo and Addin Fonua-Blake.
Dolphins playmaker Isaiya Katoa is set to play in the halves with Huddersfield's Tui Lolohea - the only member of the squad coming from the UK Super League.
Panthers centre Paul Alamoti, who scored the try that sealed Penrith's grand final victory on Sunday night to cap his second season of NRL, is also in the team.
The Tonga women's rugby league team features the sister of one of the players named in the Jillaroos.
The team will be co-captained by Sharks second-rower Vanessa Foliaki and Wests Tigers centre Natasha Penitani, whose sister Tiana was named in the Australian squad.
Tonga's women will play Samoa on 19 October, with the Pacific Championships game also a World Cup qualifier.
The winner will meet the victor of the 26 October clash between Fiji and Cook Islands, for a place in the 2026 World Cup.
Former captain Kevin Naiqama is included in the Fiji Bati squad, as is Sydney Roosters centre Michael Jennings and Sunia Turuva, fresh off his NRL Premiership win with the Penrith Panthers.
The team will be captained by Tui Kamikamica.
Head coach Wise Kativerata told FBC several names are missing due to injury, suspension and personal commitments, including West Tigers hooker, Apisai Koroisau, due to a three-match suspension which means if he was named, he would miss out on all the Bati's Pacific Championship games.
The Kiwis coach Stacey Jones has named New Zealand Sevens silver medallist and Melbourne Storm winger William Warbrick, along with Dally M Medal-winning Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes.
Current Golden Boot winner James Fisher-Harris, fresh from a fourth consecutive NRL title win with Penrith, will again captain the side after leading the Kiwis to their record 30-0 win over Australia in last year's Pacific Championships final in Hamilton.
Penrith skipper Isaah Yeo has been given the Australia captaincy.
With Daly Cherry-Evans omitted and Penrith co-captain Nathan Cleary having shoulder surgery, Parramatta's Mitchell Moses will wear the No.7 jersey.
Cowboys five-eighth Tom Dearden will partner Moses in the halves, with Matt Burton and Ben Hunt to provide cover if either of the pair are injured during the tournament.
Pacific Championships schedule (all times local)
18 October:
- Jillaroos v PNG Orchids - Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 5.05pm
- Kangaroos v Tonga XIII (men) - Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 7.10pm
19 October
- Tonga XIII (women) v Fetu Samoa - HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, 5pm
- Fiji Bati v PNG Kumuls - HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, 7.10pm
26 October
- Fiji Bulikula v Cook Islands Moana - HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, 5pm
- Fiji Bati v Cook Islands Aitu - HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, 7.10pm
27 October
- Kiwi Ferns v Jillaroos - Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch, 3.35pm
- Kiwis v Kangaroos - Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch, 6.05pm
2 November
- TBC v TBC - Go Media Stadium, Auckland
- Kiwis v Tonga XIII - Go Media Stadium, Auckland, 8.05pm
3 November
- PNG Orchids v Kiwi Ferns - Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby, 1.55pm
- PNG Kumuls v Cook Islands Aitu - Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby, 4pm
10 November: Finals, Commbank Stadium, Parramatta
Prime Ministers' XIIIs match-ups this weekend
Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea and Australian Prime Ministers' XIIIs will play at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on 13 October.
The games include (all kickoffs PNG time):
- 9am: PNG Junior Orchids v Australian School Girls
- 11am: PNG Junior Kumuls v Australian School Boys
- 1pm: PM's XIII Women - PNG v Australia
- 3pm: PM's XIII Men - PNG v Australia
