The squads have been named for the second round of the Pacific Championships, and there are plenty of Super League stars preparing for international rugby league. 

Both current and future Super League players took to the field last week, as New Zealand and Samoa went head to head in a 24-18 thriller in Auckland, whilst Fiji saw off the Cook Islands in impressive fashion.

This week, two new teams enter the fray, as the round robin stage of the competition continues. In the top tier of the tournament, Tonga will play their first match, taking on Samoa in a repeat of the 2022 World Cup quarter-final match, and if that game is anything to go on, it is set to be another cracker.

In the Pacific Bowl, Papua New Guinea will open their tournament against the Cook Islands. That game in particular features many Super League contingents, with Leigh Leopards stars set for a return to international rugby league.

Super League players aplenty as Pacific Championships squads named

Samoa:

The 2022 World Cup Finalists have been handed a major boost, after receiving special dispensation to allow hooker Jazz Tevaga to play this week, despite failing a HIA against the Kiwis. The incoming Wakefield Trinity man has shown no signs of concussion since his exit from the field, and will be allowed to play against the Tongans. He has been named at hooker.

Samoa suffered multiple injuries in that defeat on Sunday, with forwards Jayden Su’A and Ata Mariota both being helped from the field due to concussions. Due to this, they have been allowed to bring in extra replacements, and one of those hails from the Super League. Tyrone May has made the journey from Hull KR to Australia, and the Grand Final winner has been named in the extended squad for the fixture.

Tonga:

New London Broncos signing, Siliva Havilii, is named at hooker, and is the only player with links to the Northern Hemisphere in the squad. NRL stars Robert Toia and Stefano Utoikamanu are set for their Tonga debuts, with the electric Isaiya Katoa keeping his place in the halves. If Tonga are to get victory this weekend, expect him to play a major role.

Papua New Guinea:

Lachlan Lam and Edwin Ipape have been at the focal point of Leigh Leopards’ success in recent years, and they will hope to continue that when they line up against Cook Islands this weekend. They will be joined by the Leopards’ 2026 recruit, Jacob Alick-Wiencke, who starts on the bench.

Another Super League Grand Final winner, Rhyse Martin, has also been named, as he starts in the back-row for the Kumuls. Martin will make his 20th PNG appearance on Sunday, and joins Salford’s Nene MacDonald in representing their country.

Castleford Tigers’ Liam Horne starts at loose forward, a position he could take up at the Onebore Stadium next year, and ex-Tigers players Nixon Putt and Sylvester Namo also feature.

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