New Zealand will host Samoa this afternoon in an international blockbuster to kick off the 2025 Pacific Cup.
MATCH CENTRE: New Zealand v Samoa, scores, stats, live blog
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It’s the first time the Pacific Cup won’t feature Australia, who are in England preparing for a three-match Ashes series. Instead, New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga will fight it out.
In a late blow, the visitors will be without star prop Terrell May.
Just 24 hours before kick off, May was ruled out with a hamstring issue. According to Code Sports, May flew back to Sydney but is every chance to be back in the Samoan camp ahead of their clash against Tonga in Brisbane next week.
Raiders star Ata Mariota is expected to replace May in the 17.
Samoa will be out for retribution after being thrashed by the Kiwis 50-0 when the two teams met last in the 2023 Pacific Championships.
Kiwis team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Casey McLean 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Dylan Brown 7. Kieran Foran 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Moses Leota 11. Briton Nikora 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Joseph Tapine 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Erin Clark 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 18. Xavier Willison 19. Keano Kini 20. Scott Sorensen 21. Sebastian Kris
Samoa team: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Murray Taulagi 3. Izack Tago 4. Deine Mariner 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Jarome Luai 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Payne Haas 11. Jeremiah Nanai 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Junior Paulo 14. Chanel Harris-Tavita 15. Simi Sasagi 19. Ata Mariota 17. Francis Molo 18. Benaiah Ioelu 20. Clayton Faulalo 21. Lyhkan King-Togia
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