Canberra Raiders Team Lists

Kiwis: Panthers enforcer James Fisher-Harris takes over as Kiwis captain and will lead a powerful forward pack that includes Moses Leota, Briton Nikora and Joseph Tapine. Warriors star Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad gets the nod at fullback with Joey Manu to line up in the centres along with Test debutant Matt Timoko. Hooker Fa'amanu Brown and bench forwards Leo Thompson and Griffin Neame will also make their Kiwi debuts. Storm playmaker Jahrome Hughes and Eels livewire Dylan Brown will call the shots in the halves.

Toa Samoa: Marion Seve has come into the side at centre in place of his Storm teammate Young Tonumaipea. Sea Eagles youngster Gordon Chan Kum Tong is named to start at hooker after coming off the bench last week although he may again swap on game day with Justin Matamua. Sharks enforcer Royce Hunt is again 18th Man.

Fiji Bati v Cook Islands Aitu, Sunday 4.00pm (AEDT) at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby

Fiji: Dally M rookie of the year Sunia Turuva will play centre with experienced duo Maika Sivo and Mikaele Ravalawa on the wings. Wests Tigers young gun Jahream Bula makes his Test debut at fullback with his club teammate Brandon Wakeham in the No.7 in his eighth Test for the Bati. Storm big man Tui Kamikamica takes over as captain from Kevin Naiqama. Experienced Rabbitoh Taane Milne lines up for his 11th Test as part of a forward pack that includes debutants Gordon Whippy (Ipswich Jets), and Kitione Kautiga (Bulldogs) and Caleb Navale (Sea Eagles).

Cook Islands:  Esan Marsters moves to halfback in place of Tevin Arona (facial fracture) and Alvin Maungaati comes into the centres. William Samuel comes in at prop in place of Makahesi Makatoa, who suffered a suspected pectoral injury against the Kumuls. Back-rower Reuben Porter ran for 152 metres against the Kumuls and will again look to lead the way alongside Davvy Moale and Zane Tetevano. The new 18th Man is Isaiah Cooper-Tetevano.

Kiwi Ferns v Mate Ma'a, Saturday 1.45pm (AEDT) at Eden Park, Auckland

Kiwi Ferns: Coach Ricky Henry has made a number of changes to the squad which went down to the Jillaroos 16-10 last week, the most significant of which sees Shanice Parker shift from centre to fullback and Tyla Nathan-Wong join the starting side at five-eighth, after making her Test debut off the bench against Australia. Apii Nicholls and Ashleigh Quinlan drop back to the wider reserves after starting last week, as does Laishon Albert-Jones, whose place in the second row is taken by Annessa Biddle. Biddle made a try-scoring debut on the wing against the Jillaroos, with her positional switch opening the door for Cheyelle Robins-Reti to debut on the flank. Abigail Roache comes into the centres and Tiana Davison is the new face on the bench.

Mate Ma'a Tonga: NSW centre/wing Tiana Penitani is a surprise selection in the No.7 jersey and will form a halves combination with Eels centre Cassey Tohi Hiku, in what will be both players' first outing for Tonga. Penitani is joined in the squad by her sister Natasha, who was part of the Tongan side that played New Zealand last year in Auckland. Former Jillaroo Vanessa Foliaki heads up a forward pack which includes Titans prospect Dannii Perese, Parramatta second-rower Amelia Mafi and Sharks middle Tegan Dymock. Maroons representative China Polata will play centre after being used on the wing and at prop during the 2023 NRLW season with the Cowboys.

PNG Orchids v Cook Islands, Sunday 1.45pm (AEDT) at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby

PNG Orchids: The return of captain Elsie Albert from injury provides a huge boost for Ben Jeffries' side, with the Parramatta forward leading a starting pack that includes Cowboys NRLW players Essay Banu and Jessikah Reeves. Versatile Raider Ua Ravu will play in the halves alongside the experienced Sera Koroi. After both playing in the centres against the Australia Prime Minister's XIII last month, Shellie Long and Belinda Gwasamun have retained their spots, with Freda Waula moving to the wing to make way for Latoniya Norris at fullback.

Cook Islands: Former Kiwi Fern Toru Arakua will co-captain the side from the front row and is joined in the 17 by fellow one-time New Zealand representatives Kiana Takairangi and Crystal Tamarua. Powerhouse Raiders NRLW player Kere Matu is named to start in the second row, while sibling duo Annemarie and Chantay Kiria-Ratu combine in the spine at fullback and five-eighth respectively.

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

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 while he has been included in the wider squad he looks set to miss out on a spot, with Zac Laybutt and Rodrick Tai the preferred options. Alex Johnston moves from his usual spot on the wing to line up at fullback. There is no sign of hooker Edwin Ipape who comes off a strong season in the Super League.

Cook Islands: To be confirmed.

Jillaroos v Kiwi Ferns, Saturday 6.00pm (AEDT) at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

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

Fetu Samoa: To be confirmed.

Fiji Bulikula: To be confirmed.