RUGBY LEAGUE, PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP, KANGAROOS v TONGA PLUS JILLAROOS v PNG ORCHIDS

Rugby ball on the ground Rugby League

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18th, 2024, SUNCORP STADIUM BRISBANE

Relegation and Promotion Introduced in 2024 Pacific Championships

The 2024 Pacific Championships are just around the corner, and this year the stakes are even higher with the introduction of relegation and promotion.

Australia, New Zealand, and Tonga Battle for the Pacific Cup

Once again, the tournament will feature two divisions, with Australia, New Zealand, and Tonga vying for the Cup.

Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Cook Islands Set to Compete for the Bowl

Meanwhile, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and the Cook Islands will compete for the Bowl.

Mal Meninga Names Kangaroos Squad for Pacific Championships

Australia coach Mal Meninga has announced his 21-man squad for the Kangaroos ahead of the Pacific Championships.

Kangaroos Return to Brisbane for the First Time Since 2017

The opening match against Tonga at Suncorp Stadium will mark the Kangaroos’ first appearance in Brisbane since the 2017 World Cup final. Their last game in Sydney was also during RLWC2017, where they faced Lebanon.

Australia will take on Tonga in Brisbane on October 18, followed by a clash with the Kiwis in Christchurch on October 27.

Eight Kangaroos Debutants Selected for Pacific Cup Showdowns

The Kangaroos have named eight debutants in their squad for this year’s Test matches against Tonga and New Zealand in the Pacific Cup.

Australia’s Grand Final Stars Bolster Pacific Cup Squad

Australia’s squad also features six players from the NRL Grand Final, where the Penrith Panthers secured a 14-6 victory over the Melbourne Storm.

Isaah Yeo to Captain Kangaroos, Harry Grant Named Vice-Captain

Isaah Yeo will captain the Kangaroos, stepping in for James Tedesco, who wasn’t selected this time. Yeo will be supported by vice-captain Harry Grant.

Mitch Moses and Xavier Coates Ready for Kangaroos Debuts

Additionally, there are two potential Kangaroos debutants who have previously represented other nations. Parramatta half-back Mitch Moses has played for Lebanon in the last two World Cups, while Melbourne winger Xavier Coates, born in Port Moresby, has represented Papua New Guinea.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow Switches Allegiance to Australia Once Again

The duo are set to follow in the footsteps of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who switched his allegiance to Australia after representing Samoa at the 2022 Rugby League World Cup. Tabuai-Fidow joined the Kangaroos during last year’s Pacific Championships.

New Halves Pairing for Kangaroos as Dearden and Moses Make Test Debuts

Mal Meninga’s squad will feature a new halves pairing, with both Tom Dearden and Mitch Moses making their Test debuts, alongside debutant wingers Xavier Coates and Zac Lomax, and bench forwards Mitch Barnett and Hudson Young. Sea Eagles star Tom Trbojevic returns to the Test arena for the first time since 2018, forming a formidable centre pairing with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. At fullback, Panthers ace Dylan Edwards will wear the No.1 jersey, while Isaah Yeo takes on the captaincy, leading a seasoned forward pack that includes Wally Lewis Medalist Angus Crichton and his Roosters teammate Lindsay Collins.

Kangaroos

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Xavier Coates 3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 4. Tom Trbojevic , 5. Zac Lomax 6. Tom Dearden 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Harry Grant 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Cameron Murray 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Matt Burton 15. Mitch Barnett , 16. Reuben Cotter 17. Hudson Young 18. Ben Hunt 19. Lindsay Smith 20. Reece Robson, 21. Bradman Best

Tonga

1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Daniel Tupou 3 Mosese Suli 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Sione Katoa, 6. Tuimoala Lolohea 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Siliva Havili 10. Felise Kaufusi, 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Eliese Katoa 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Soni Luke 15. Sitili Tupouniua, 16. Taniela Paseka 17. Keaon Koloamatangi 18. Tolutau Koula 19. Siua Wong 20. Isaiah Iongi , 21. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Panthers Grand Final Hero Paul Alamoti Earns Test Debut

Panthers grand final hero Paul Alamoti has earned his Test debut, while Manly fullback Lehi Hopoate will also play in his first Test match. Huddersfield’s Tui Lolohea is the only Super League player in the squad, partnering with Dolphins rising star Isaiya Katoa in the halves.

Veterans Addin Fonua-Blake and Felise Kaufusi start as props, with Jason Taumalolo, Haumole Olakau’atu, and Eli Katoa forming a star-studded back row. The bench adds even more firepower with Keaon Koloamatangi, Taniela Paseka, and Sitili Tupouniua, alongside Panthers livewire Soni Luke, who played four Tests in the 2022 World Cup.

Referee, Gerard Sutton, Bunker, Ashley Klein

9 of the last 10 Australian victories have been by 18 points or more.

Mitch Moses averaged 470 Kick Metres per game in 2024, 4th most in the NRL

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scored 2 tries in the 2023 Pacific Championships as well as 4 tries for QLD in State of Origin this year. 

Daniel Tupou scored 21 tries this season, has scored the most tries for Tonga and led the NRL in Line breaks in 2024 with 31.

The women’s teams are.

Australia Jillaroos v PNG Orchids, 6:05pm at Suncorp Stadium

Ali Brigginshaw and Kezie Apps will captain a Jillaroos side featuring three debutants: starting hooker Quincy Dodd, her back-up Olivia Higgins, and bench forward Sarah Togatuki. Nine players from the team that lost last year’s Pacific Championships final to New Zealand return, including fullback Tamika Upton and key playmaker Tarryn Aiken, who moves from five-eighth to halfback. Lauren Brown, who sustained a hamstring injury playing for the PM’s XIII on Sunday, is listed among the reserves.

Jillaroos

1. Tamika Upton 2. Julia Robinson 3. Isabelle Kelly 4. Tiana Penitani, 5. Jakiya Whitfeld 6. Ali Brigginshaw 7. Tarryn Aiken 8. Millie Elliot 9. Quincy Dodd 10. Shannon Mato 11. Kezie Apps 12. Yasmin Clydsdale 13. Simaima Taufa 14. Olivia Higgins 15. Sarah Togatuki , 16. Keilee Joseph 17. Mahalia Murphy 18. Jessica Sergis 19. Abbi Church 20. Jessika Ellison, 21. Lauren Brown

PNG Orchids Name Experienced Side to Challenge Jillaroos

After sitting out the PM’s XIII match to be kept fresh for the Pac Champs, PNG legend Elsie Albert will captain her country against Australia. Cowboys duo Essay Banu and Sareka Mooka bring plenty of class to the forward pack while experienced centre Belinda Gwasamun has been playing with Wentworthville Magpies and was named joint winner of the Tahnee Norris Medal at the NRL’s Harvey Norman Women’s National Championships. Hooker Ua Ravu represented the Orchids at the World Cup in 2022 and has racked up four Tests for the Orchids. Jessikah Reeves and Sera Koroi both have NRLW experience with the Cowboys.

PNG Orchids. 

1. Mala Mark 2. Freda Waula 3. Belinda Gwasamun 4. Latoniya Norris, 5. Lyiannah Allan 6. Sera Koroi 7. Delailah Ahose 8. Essay Banu 9. Ua Ravu 10. Elsie Albert , 11. Sareka Mooka 12. Emily Veivers 13. Gloria Kaupa 14. Roswita Kapo 15. Jessikah Reeves, 16. Talitha Kunjil 17. Leila Kerowa 18. Lilah Malabag 19. Meli Joe 20. Yolanda Taute 21. Frida Anthony

Referee, Belinda Sharpe, Touch Judge, Dave Munro, Bunker, Peter Gough

Prediction.

Australia to win both match’s comfortably.

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