The squads for the final round of the Pacific Championships group stages have been named, and two Super League players can count themselves unlucky, after dropping out of the squad.
In the first tier of the competition, New Zealand take on Tonga. The Kiwis will join Samoa in the final of the tournament should they avoid defeat by 17 points or more.
In the Pacific Bowl, it will be a dress rehearsal for their final next week, as Papua New Guinea take on Fiji. Both sides have one win each over the Cook Islands, and have already progressed to the last two.
In the women’s side of the draw, Wigan Warriors star Emily Vievers will represent the Kumuls in their match against Tonga, before the Australian Jillaroos take on the Kiwi Ferns the following day.
Leigh Leopards duo dropped as Pacific Championship squads revealed
New Zealand vs Tonga
London Broncos signing Siliva Havili is the only player in the Tongan squad that is a past, present or future player in the Northern Hemisphere, and whilst it is unlikely, he will be hoping to end his season with a Pacific Championships final appearance against the Samoans.
New Zealand have drafted in utility player Zach Dockar-Clay to their squad, however he is not expected to feature. The former Hull KR man has been named as a reserve, however if he is selected he will make his international debut.
Papua New Guinea vs Fiji
This game is where the Super League stars are on show, with PNG naming four players in their starting line-up. Salford’s Nene MacDonald, Hull KR’s Rhyse Martin and Leigh Leopards duo Edwin Ipape and Lachlan Lam are all in the starting 13, as the Kumuls look to go into next week’s final with a win over the Bati.
However, there is no place in the squad for Leigh signings Liam Horne and Jacob Alick-Wiencke. The pair have been left out of the 17 and named in the reserves. Cooper Bai, son of former Leeds Rhinos winger, Marcus, will continue his breakout season with another international appearance. He will start on the bench once again.
For Fiji, incoming Castleford Tigers signing Semi Valemei is named in the centres. Huddersfield Giants back-rower Taane Milne keeps his place in the side despite picking up a fine in the first round of matches for dangerous contact. Former Leigh man Ben Nakubuwai is named on the Bati’s bench.
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