The NRL’s representative weekend won’t just be about Australia versus New Zealand. On Saturday May 2, we will see four Pacific powerhouses take part in a triple header at Gold Coast’s Cbus Super Stadium.
So let’s have a look at the possible squads and what we can expect to see. Game 1 will place Fiji against the rugby league mad nation of Papua New Guinea.
Fiji
1.Kevin Naiqama, 2.Marika Koroibete, 3.Alipate Noilea, 4.Wes Naiqama (captain), 5.Eto Nabuli, 6.Ryan Millard, 7.Aaron Groom, 8.Kane Evans, 9.James Storer, 10.Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 11.Junior Roqica, 12.Jayson Bukuya, 13.Korbin Sims, 14.Waqa Blake, 15.Peni Botiki, 16.Osea Sadrau, 17.Sarafu Fatiaki
Papua New Guinea
1.David Mead(captain), 2.Nene MacDonald, 3.Bland Abavu, 4.Thompson Teteh, 5.Wellington Albert, 6.Israel Eliab, 7.Ray Thompson, 8.Luke Page, 9.Kurt Baptiste, 10.Rod Griffin, 11.Rhyse Martin, 12.Tyson Martin, 13.Adam Korave, 14.Richard Kambo, 15.Josh Damen, 16.Timothy Lomai, 17.Stanton Albert
Notable omissions for Fiji include Semi Radradra – who is still battling injury – and the duo of Akuila Uate and Tariq Sims who will likely take part in the city versus country clash in a bid for a NSW jersey.
For Papua New Guinea, boom hooker James Segeyaro will take no part in future Kumuls teams as he has declared himself for Queensland, while their Super League stars such as Paul Aiton, Jessie Joe Parker and Neville Costigan all won’t play as the Kumuls opt for local talent over their UK contingent during non-World Cup years.
Fiji are probably missing the bigger names but luckily for them they have a wealth of NRL talent to choose from (especially out wide) and have the more talented line-up. Papua New Guinea plays with a lot of passion and a whole nation behind them but I think the Bati will just be too talented for them. Expect Fiji to run away with the match over the closing stages.
The main event will see Samoa and Tonga add another page to their rivalry. Samoa will look to build off what was a reasonably successful Four Nations campaign, which saw them come within two points of defeating eventual winners New Zealand.
Tonga will look to emulate their performance of 2013 where they put over 30 points on the board en route to a big win in the mid-year Test against Samoa.
Samoa
1.Peter Mata’utia, 2.Antonio Winterstein, 3.Tim Simona, 4.Joey Leilua, 5.Daniel Vidot, 6.Carlos Tuimavave, 7.Penani Manumalealii, 8.Josh McGuire, 9.Michael Sio, 10.David Fa’alogo (captain), 11.Frank Pritchard, 12.Sia Soliola, 13.Frank-Paul Nu’uausala, 14.Isaac Liu, 15.Suauso Sue, 16.Leeson Ah Mau, 17.Jesse Sene-Lafao
Tonga
1.Glen Fisi’iahi, 2.Mahe Fonua, 3.Konrad Hurrell, 4.Solomone Kata, 5.Bill Tupou, 6.Samisoni Langi, 7.Daniel Foster, 8.Brent Kite, 9.Joel Luani, 10.David Hala, 11.Sika Manu(captain), 12.Anthony Tupou, 13.Sio Siua Taukeiaho 14.Pat Politoni, 15.Ben Murdoch-Masila, 16.Peni Terepo, 17.Sitaleki Akauola
Both sides are packed full of NRL talent and both sides cancel each other out with similar strengths and weaknesses. This will be a very intense, physical and close game that will go right to the wire.
It’s a hard game to pick a winner in. I believe that Samoa will just have the edge though due to their experience gained during last year’s Four Nations tournament. Samoa to win by 4
Joe
Roar Rookie
I think this is a really great idea having this rep weekend with these games. Gives a chance for some unknowns to show their wares and hopefully catch the eye of an NRL team. Surprised Sisa Waqa isn't in the squad at centre for Fiji but he has been carrying an injury lately and probably decided to take the week off, most likely coaches orders. Still should be a cracking match with that backline. The Samoa/Tonga game should be a ripper with both sides full on NRL talent and license to play some free flowing Rugby League. Can't wait to see these matches.
Maverick1990
Roar Rookie
Somebody shoot me...
Johnno
Guest
No Mark Mexico,Siyih. He's playing in English 3rd division with Stanley Gene coached team.
Maverick1990
Roar Rookie
There's been a lot of in-fighting between the PNGRFL admin. It's the reason he and Mead left. It's crazy here in PNG, we weren't surprised when they opted to play for Oz
Maverick1990
Roar Rookie
I hope my Kumuls do well... *HOPE*...
Max
Guest
I note the NRL have got over their trouble in selling SOO tickets by giving them to safety of life workers involved in the floods which is OK but lets see them do it in a year when the stands are full. The NRL is worst of all codes for having rounds and games dedicated to various causes so that they become indistinguishable. If the NRL were serious they would give reasonable donations to these causes rather than the piddly amounts they give now. It speaks of rank opportunism
TeamListGuy
Roar Rookie
was posted a couple days after i sent the article in
Tigrances
Guest
Casper a Fijian bloke who moved to Australia as a small boy probably learned to play league here - in that case, why should Fiji take precedence over Australia?
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I think the flip-flop rule ought to be graded according national tier.
Johnno
Guest
Why can't the Penrith PNG hooker play for the kumuls this weekend if he wants too and still play for QLD. The RLIF eligibility laws need to loosen up even more, and allow the right to flip flop at anytime, not just once every 4-year world cup cycle.
Kirk
Guest
where is sisi waqa for Fiji?
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Do you mean developed locally in Australia or Pacific - most listed in the above squads have been in the Australian mix for quite some time. I think it's time to play games of this type in the Pacific to increase the games profile. Is union still the game of choice in the Pacific?
Johnny Utah
Guest
Geez Matthew, without trying to sound critical the information you have is wrong - Mead is playing for Country & Costigan has been back in Australia for a while playing for Townsville in the QCup
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Thanks. So does anyone know the answer then?
Steve
Guest
There shouldn't be any large financial rewards. Just costs covered and whatever their local federations can afford. That's just life, you can't help where you are born. I doubt Didier Drogba would get the same money playing for Ivory Coast as what Ribery gets playing for France.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
What are financial rewards for the players competing in these two Pacific Island Test matches?
Casper
Guest
Test footy should take precedence over city/country, those guys like Uate etc should turn out for their country of origin instead of taking part in a glorified trial match.
Steve
Guest
The best thing about this weekend and these tests is we get to see Se much locally developed talent. It's testament to the hard working rugby league officials in the Pacific. Whilst the game is a religion over there we need to keep it strong so that other sports don't gain a foothold.
BluesMan
Guest
wrong squads?