The Toyota Forklifts Canberra Raiders have named their squad for the first trial game of the season, when they take on the Penrith Panthers at Shark Park on Saturday night in the NRL Pre-Season Challenge.
New recruits Ethan Sanders, Matty Nicholson and Myles Martin will get their first chance to wear the green jersey after being named in the starting side.
The side features nine players with NRL experience, including Albert Hopoate, Ata Mariota and Pasami Saulo.
Penrith Panthers v Canberra Raiders Saturday February 8, 7.30pm, Shark Park, Sydney
PNG Orchids v Fetu Samoa, Sunday 11.40am (AEDT) at CommBank Stadium
Orchids: Tahnee Norris has named an unchanged starting side for the promotion-relegation final. Shae De La Cruz has been named to start at fullback failing to finish the match against the Ferns last week after a heavy tackle. A reshuffle of the interchange sees Delailah Ahose and Mala Mark return to the bench while Lilah Malabag and Roswita Kapo move to the reserves. The new replacement player is Talitha Kunjil.
Fetu Samoa: Fullback Evania Pelite has succumbed to her leg issues and has not been named to face the Orchids. Jetaya Faifua, who helped spark Samoa's comeback against Fiji off the bench last week, will start at fullback. Other changes see Christian Pio set to start at prop with Evah McEwan moving into the second row. Laikha Clarke has not been named, with Jasmine Fogavini promoted from 18th player duties last week onto the bench, alongside Viena Tinao. The 18th player is Ella-Jaye Harrison Leaunoa.
Pacific Cup Women's Final
Jillaroos v Kiwi Ferns, Sunday 1.50pm (AEDT) at CommBank Stadium
Jillaroos: Just the one change to the squad that downed the Kiwi Ferns in Christchurch with Keeley Davis joining the bench and Jess Sergis dropping to 18th player. Davis came into the squad as injury cover after Quincy Dodd suffered a minor quad injury in the first-up win over the Kumuls. She was 18th player against the Kiwi Ferns and now comes in for her fifth Test match cap. Hooker Olivia Higgins is good to go despite dislocating her wrist in the win over New Zealand. The joint was quickly put back in place and the Knights star has avoided further damage. Co-captain Ali Brigginshaw has been named at halfback for her 25th Test match. Newcastle halfback Jesse Southwell joined the team in camp on Sunday and is listed among the reserves for the final.
Kiwi Ferns: Apii Nicholls slots straight into fullback after she was rested last week against the Orchids, moving Shanice Parker back onto the wing. Annessa Biddle is also back at second row for the final, with Najvada George heading to the bench. Last week's debutants both make way, with Mackenzie Wiki back into the reserves and Brooke Talataina sidelined by an ankle injury. Angelina Teakaraanga Katoa will start at prop with Alexis Tauaneai going to the bench. Tiana Davison is the new 18th player.
What you need to know about the 2024 Men's Pacific Championships
Pacific Cup Men's Final
Kangaroos v Tonga XIII, Sunday 4.05pm (AEDT) at CommBank Stadium
Kangaroos: Canberra's Hudson Young moves into the starting side in place of the injured Cameron Murray (wrist) while Panthers premiership winner Lindsay Smith joins the bench for his Test debut. Ben Hunt is again the 18th man.
Tonga XIII: Coach Kristian Woolf has named the same 17 that pulled off a stunning upset over New Zealand to advance to the Cup final. Edge forward Keaon Koloamatangi remains with his partner as they await the birth of their child but could be a late inclusion closer to game day.
Men's Promotion-Relegation Play-Off
Kiwis v PNG Kumuls, Sunday 6.20pm (AEDT) at CommBank Stadium
Kiwis: Roosters powerhouse Naufahu Whyte has been elevated to the starting side with Leo Thomoson moving to the interchange bench as the Kiwis fight to avoid relegation to the Bowl for 2025. Erin Clark is again the 18th man.
Kumuls: Rhyse Martin returns to captain the side after missing last week's game for personal reasons. Dan Russell goes back to 18th man and Morea Morea drops to the reserves. Liam Horne has been named to start at hooker but could swap with Judah Rimbu as he did last weekend.
Kiwis v Tonga XIII, Saturday 6.05pm (AEDT) at Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Kiwis: Coach Stacey Jones sticks with the same starting 13, with the only change coming on the bench where Newcastle's Leo Thompson from a suspension he incurred in week one of the NRL finals. Last week's debutant Jordan Riki is the man to make way. Erin Clark is again listed as 18th man.
Tonga: Just the one change for Tonga with Roosters youngster Siua Wong added to the bench in place of Keaon Koloamatangi, who has left the squad to be with his partner, who is due to give birth. Wong will make his second Test appearance for Tonga after debuting last year against England in Leeds. The rest of Kristian Woolf's squad remains the same after a first-up loss to the Kangaroos in Brisbane, with Tolu Koula listed as 18th man.
Men's Pacific Cup
PNG Kumuls v Cook Islands Aitu, Sunday 4.00pm (AEDT) at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Kumuls: Skipper Rhyse Martin will miss the game due to personal reasons, replaced in the second row by Dan Russell, who was 18th man in week one. Judah Rimbu is listed to start at hooker with Liam Horne on the bench, although they could swap on game day as they did against the Bati in Suva.
Cook Islands: No changes for the Aitu, with former Broncos captain Alex Glenn again listed among the reserves. The 36-year-old last played a Test in 2019 for Cook Islands. Veteran Brad Takairangi calls the shots in the halves alongside another experienced campaigner in Esan Marsters, while Davvy Moale shows the way in the middle after an impressive showing against Fiji.
What you need to know about the 2024 Men's Pacific Championships
Women's Pacific Bowl
Fetu Samoa v Fiji Bulikula, Saturday 3.35pm (AEDT) at Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Fetu Samoa: Jamie Soward has named the same 17 players who got the job done against Tonga for the important Rugby League World Cup play-off match against Fiji. Evania Pelite topped the metre count with 122 in her last game and returns at fullback, while captain Annetta-Claudia Nuuausala will lead the side from prop.
Fiji Bulikula: Just the one change for the historic clash against Fetu Samoa with Sereana Maragi coming into the team at prop in place of Aliti Namoce. Skipper Talei Holmes will again start at lock in the No.18 jersey. Asenaca Diranuve is the 18th player.
Women's Pacific Cup
PNG Orchids v Kiwi Ferns, Sunday 1.55pm (AEDT) at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Orchids: A major backline reshuffle sees Shae Yvonne De La Cruz come straight in at fullback, pushing Mala Mark to the wing. Centre La-Toniya Addo-Carr suffered an ACL injury against the Jillaroos, bringing in youngster Jenny Wesley for her Test debut. Ua Rava moves from hooker into halfback, with new squad member Therese Aiton to start at No.9. Leila Kerowa impressed the coach in the last game and earns a starting spot in the second row, while Sareka Mooka will start at lock. Delailah Ahose and Gloria Kaupa move to the bench, with Roswita Kapo, Meli Joe and Talitha Kunjil dropping to the reserves and Freda Waula omitted.
Kiwi Ferns: Raiders star Mackenzie Wiki makes her Test debut on the wing with Shanice Parker shifting to fullback and Apii Nicholls being rested. Forwards Annessa Biddle and Tiana Davison are also being rested after a busy schedule in recent months, with Wests Tigers second-rower Brooke Talataina called up for her Test debut off the bench. Amber Hall and Alexis Tauaneai move into the starting side with Otesa Pule added to the bench after she was 18th player against the Jillaroos.
