Internationals Weekly Watch: Week I

Townsville the scene for World Cup Final rematch

The Kangaroos will play their first game on home soil in over four years when they face Toa Sāmoa in a World Cup Final rematch at Townsville’s QLD Country Bank Stadium on Saturday night to kick-off the Pacific Championships.

Four debutants – Dylan Edwards, Kotoni Staggs, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Selwyn Cobbo – have been named in the backline for Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos whilst Daly Cherry-Evans lines up in the seven jersey in place of the injured Nathan Cleary.

Ben Hunt starts at hooker with Harry Grant named off the bench whilst Payne Haas makes his return to the international arena after sitting out the World Cup a year ago.

Toa Sāmoa will be without several of their World Cup stars forcing them to blood a number of promising rookies and call-up a collection of others who have been knocking on the door for some time.

Stephen Crichton will play an unfamiliar role at five-eighth with Storm speedster Sualauvi Fa’alogo the fullback, Daejarn Asi the seven, and Gordon Chan Kum Tong and Ronald Volkman sharing the hooking duties.

Murray Taulagi’s decision to ditch the Kangaroos for a Toa Sāmoa jumper sees the Maroons star partner Brian To’o on the wing whilst Luciano Leilua, Connelly Lemuelu, and Keenan Palasia make up a new-look back row.

Australia enter the clash as short-priced favourites with the Sāmoans missing the likes of Jarome Luai, Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i, Josh Papali’i, Taylan May and Jaydn Su’A.

Jillaroos, Kiwi Ferns face off in World Cup Final rematch

QLD Country Bank Stadium will play host to not one but two World Cup Final rematches on Saturday night with the Jillaroos and Kiwi Ferns meeting prior to the clash between the Kangaroos and Toa Sāmoa.

Knights Grand Final hero Tamika Upton heads a potent spine with Tarryn Aiken and Ali Brigginshaw the halves and Keeley Davis the nine.

Shannon Mato, Jessika Elliston, and Simaima Taufa make up a formidable middle with Jess Sergis and Isabelle Kelly the centres.

For the Kiwi Ferns, NRLW Rookie of the Year Annessa Biddle makes her debut on the wing with Apii Nicholls and Leianne Tufuga rounding out the back three and Shanice Parker and Mele Hufanga linking to form a dangerous centre-pairing.

Georgia Hale heads the forward pack whilst Raecene McGregor, Brooke Anderson, and Ashleigh Quinlan make up the remainder of the spine.

The Jillaroos enter the clash as short-priced favourites with bookmakers forecasting the squad to build off their world title from a year ago.

Kumuls back on home soil to face Kukis

The Kumuls will play their first international in Port Moresby since upsetting Great Britain almost three years when they take on the Cook Islands on Sunday afternoon’s Pacific Bowl opener.

Alex Johnston lines up at the back for the Kumuls with Robert Derby, Zac Laybutt, Rodrick Tai and Nene MacDonald forming an exciting group of centre-threequarters and Kyle Laybutt and Lachlan Lam again linking in the halves.

Jack de Belin makes his international debut at lock forward with Dan Russell and Jacob Alick – who both made their NRL debuts this season – joining him in the back row.

The Cook Islands are down several of their veterans but still possess a squad including the likes of Esan and Steven Marsters, Kayal Iro, Brad Takairangi, Davvy Moale, Makahesi Makatoa and Zane Tetevano.

The Kumuls enter the Pacific Bowl as tournament favourites with all of their games in Port Moresby and a number of NRL standouts among their ranks.

Fetū Sāmoa, Fiji Bulikula open the afternoon in Port Moresby

Fetū Sāmoa and Fiji Bulikula will meet prior to the Kumuls-Kukis men’s clash in Port Moresby on Sunday afternoon with both sides looking to prove themselves on the international stage.

With former Origin star Jamie Soward at the helm, Fetū Sāmoa possess a squad with a nice amount of NRLW talent including Titans trio Niall Williams-Guthrie, Destiny Mino-Sinapati, and Sienna Lofipo as well as the likes of Destiny Brill, Annetta-Claudia Nu’uausala, Christian Pio, Pihuka Berryman-Duff and Pauline Piliae-Rasabale.

Fiji Bulikula, meanwhile, will feature Sharks standouts Talei Holmes, Cassie Staples, and Sereana Naitokatoka as well as Cowboys Vitalina Naikore and Merewalesi Rokouono.

Fetū Sāmoa should have enough to get the job done against an inexperienced Fiji Bulikula side and kickstart their journey towards their first World Cup berth since 2003.

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