All the representative squads bursting with NRL talent for the Pacific Tests have been announced, along with the NSW and Queensland teams for Origin II in Perth and Kotoni Staggs will be able to line up for Tonga after being dropped by the Blues.
The under 19 Origin squads as well as the women’s NSW and Queensland teams have also been announced.
Staggs will slot in at five-eighth for Tonga alongside Dragons young gun Junior Amone in the halves. Manly’s Christian Tuipulotu has been named make his Test debut on the wing after Daniel Tupou was chosen by NSW while Tonga have also selected Sea Eagles rookie Tolu Koula, Parramatta’s Will Penisini and Dragons centre Moses Suli out wide.
New Zealand on Wednesday morning finalised their game-day line-up to face Tonga with Joey Manu picked at fullback, Dylan Brown partnering Jahrome Hughes in the halves and hooker Brandon Smith completing a top-class spine on Saturday in Auckland.
New Zealand will be without veteran forward Isaac Liu as he will be with his partner, Jessica, for the birth of the couple’s second child this week. The 31-year-old eight-Test Kiwi was named in the initial squad for the encounter at Mt Smart Stadium.
“It’s an exciting time for everyone involved having international rugby league back on deck after so long,” said coach Michael Maguire. “There’s a real buzz among the players for what is such a significant occasion for the Kiwi jersey and for the game as a whole.
“We’ve been able to bring together a group of players who have been in tremendous form so far this season and they’re desperate to do well for their country. It’s a special thrill giving debuts to Dylan, Marata, Ronaldo and Moses. They really deserve this opportunity.”
Papua New Guinea announced their team for their Campbelltown clash with Fiji. Storm centre Justin Olam, Rabbtiohs winger Alex Johnston, Broncos veteran David Mead and Roosters utility Lachlan Lam will form the basis of the Kumuls side.
Fiji will feature the likes of Storm prop Tui Kamikamica, Panthers forward Viliame Kikau, Rabbitohs centre Taane Milne and wing threats Maika Sivo (Parramatta) and Mikaele Ravalawa (Dragons).
Samoa have also named a team filled with NRL talent for their clash with Cook Islands. Martin Taupau, Jaydn Su’A and David Nofoaluma will be at the forefront of the Toa Samoa squad. Esan Marsters, Makahesi Makatoa and Brendan Piakura headline the players with NRL experience in the Cook Islands team.
Kotoni Staggs. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Friday features the women’s Origin clash in Canberra before New Zealands host top-class rugby league for the first time since 2019 when the Kiwis take on Tonga in Auckland.
Campbelltown will be the venue for the Pacific double header featuring Samoa against the Cook Islands, followed by Papua New Guinea taking on Fiji.
The Representative Round ends with the men’s Origin showdown in Perth where NSW need to win to keep the series alive after Queensland’s 16-10 upset in game one.
Representative Round (all times AEST)
Origin women’s under 19 at Leichhardt Oval on Thursday June 23: Women’s game at 5.45pm, men’s game at 7.45pm
Women’s State of Origin at Canberra’s GIO Stadium on Friday, June 24 at 7.45pm
New Zealand Kiwi Ferns v Tonga women’s Test in Auckland on Saturday, June 25 at 1.10pm
New Zealand Kiwis v Tonga men’s Test in Auckland on Saturday, June 25 at 3.20pm
Pacific double header featuring Samoa v Cook Islands at 5.40pm and PNG v Fiji at Campbelltown Stadium on Saturday, June 25 at 7.50pm
State of Origin II at Perth’s Optus Stadium on Sunday, June 26 at 7.50pm
Thursday, June 23
Women’s U19 State of Origin: 5.45pm at Leichhardt Oval
NSW
Jada Taylo
Petera Lio
Andie Robinson
Mia Middleton
Cassey Tohi-Hiku
Losana Lutu
Tayla Montgomery
Monalisa Soliola
Rueben Cherrington
Ruby-Jean Kennard
Leilani Wilson
Chantel Tugaga
Iesha Duckett
Anneka Wilson
Tiana Kore
Tahleisha Maeva
Jules Kirkpatrick
Rosemarie Beckett
Chloe Jackson
Alanna Dummett
Salma Nour
Milly Lupo
Queensland
Chantay Kiria-Ratu
Jetaya Faifua
Jasmine Peters
Emmanita Paki
Helen Uitualagi
Jada Ferguson
Jayde Herdegen
April Ngatupuna
Lily-Rose Kolc
Fiona Jahnke
Otesa Pule
Hannah Larson
Georgina Tuitaalili
Montana Mook
Lavinia Kitai
Felila Kia
Jacinta Carter
Ellie Williamson
Sunny Gerrard
Tahlia Marshall
Lillian Yarrow
Atlanta Peters
Men’s U19 State of Origin: 7.45pm at Leichhardt Oval
NSW
Terrell Kalo Kalo (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Utuloa Asomua (Canberra Raiders)
Paul Alamoti (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Brad Morkos (Canberra Raiders)
Jack Bostock (Illawarra Steelers)
Thomas Weaver (Tweed Seagulls)
Jonah Pezet (Melbourne Storm)
Max Bradbury (Newcastle Knights)
Tyler Moriarty (Sydney Roosters)
Justin Matamua (Wests Tigers)
Oryn Keeley (Newcastle Knights)
Brandon Tumeth (Wests Tigers)
Trey Mooney (Canberra Raiders)
Jack Cole (Penrith Panthers)
Toby Couchman (Illawarra Steelers)
Larry Muagututia (Parramatta Eels)
Jacob Webster (Illawarra Steelers)
Charlie Thompson (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
Oskar Bryant (Tweed Seagulls)
Samuela Fainu (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
Jaylan De Groot (Tweed Seagulls)
Queensland
Isaiah Iongi (Penrith Panthers)
Jacob Mene (Townsville Blackhawks)
Jojo Fifita (Gold Coast Titans)
Robert Toia (Sydney Roosters)
Xavier Chatfield-Mooka (Sydney Roosters)
Harradyn Wilson (Souths Logan Magpies)
Thomas Duffy (Townsville Blackhawks)
Xavier Va’a (Sydney Roosters)
Blake Mozer (Brisbane Broncos)
Paul Bryan (Newcastle Knights)
Eddie Hampson (Townsville Blackhawks)
Jack Howarth (Melbourne Storm)
Luke Jack (Townsville Blackhawks)
Jye Gray (Souths Logan Magpies)
Ben Te Kura (Norths Devils)
Josiah Pahulu (Burleigh Bears)
Kuli Finefeuiaki (Townsville Blackhawks),
Ragarive Wavik (Townsville Blackhawks)
Tane Kiriona (Canberra Raiders)
Kaleb Ngamanu (Tweed Seagulls)
Shaun Packer (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)
Angus Hinchey (Norths Devils)
(Photo by Dan Peled/Getty Images)
Friday, June 24
Women’s State of Origin: 7.45pm at GIO Stadium
NSW
1. Emma Tonegato (St George Illawarra Dragons) 2. Yasmin Clydsdale (Sydney Roosters) 3. Jess Sergis (Sydney Roosters) 4. Isabelle Kelly (Sydney Roosters) 5. Tiana Penitani (Parramatta Eels) 6. Kirra Dibb (Newcastle Knights) 7. Rachael Pearson (St George Illawarra Dragons) 8. Simaima Taufa (Parramatta Eels) 9. Keeley Davis (St George Illawarra Dragons) 10. Millie Boyle (Newcastle Knights) 11. Kezie Apps (c) (St George Illawarra Dragons) 12. Shaylee Bent (St George Illawarra Dragons) 13. Hannah Southwell (Newcastle Knights) 14. Quincy Dodd (St George Illawarra Dragons) 15. Sarah Togatuki (Sydney Roosters) 16. Caitlan Johnston (Newcastle Knights) 17. Olivia Kernick (Sydney Roosters) 18. Sam Bremner (Cronulla Sharks – NSW Women’s Premiership) 19. Teagan Berry (St George Illawarra Dragons) 20. Filomina Hanisi (Parramatta Eels) 21. Talei Holmes (St George Illawarra Dragons) 22. Corban Baxter (Sydney Roosters)
Queensland
Tamika Upton – Central Queensland Capras
Emily Bass – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Evania Pelite – Souths Logan Magpies
Shenae Ciesiolka – Brisbane Tigers
Julia Robinson – West Brisbane Panthers
Tarryn Aiken – Tweed Seagulls
Ali Brigginshaw – Brisbane Tigers
Chelsea Lenarduzzi – Burleigh Bears
Brittany Breayley-Nati – Souths Logan Magpies
Shannon Mato – Tweed Seagulls
Tallisha Harden – Burleigh Bears
Tazmin Gray – Burleigh Bears
Destiny Brill – North Queensland Gold Stars
Lauren Brown – Burleigh Bears
Jessika Elliston – Tweed Seagulls
Steph Hancock – Souths Logan Magpies
Tiana Raftstrand-Smith – Burleigh Bears
Zahara Temara – Burleigh Bears
Karina Brown – Burleigh Bears
Romy Teitzel – North Queensland Gold Stars
Keilee Joseph – Central Coast Roosters – NSWRL
Sara Sautia – Souths Logan Magpies
Saturday, June 25
Kiwi Ferns v Mate Ma’a Tonga Women: 1.10pm (AEST) at Mt Smart Stadium
Fiji v PNG should be a good even game, Tong v NZ also. Samoa gunna smash Cook islands. Samoa are in that interesting space where they are short of Tonga & NZ but well in advance of the others. Do the French play League internationals these days?? should be on par with Samoa?
I'm looking forward to the Samoan and Tonga war cries, the crowd absolutely goes off....
2022-06-16T08:50:14+00:00
He def has potential but still very green and unproven.. and by the looks of it, will have to carry the play making duties..
Hope the best for him.
Oh dear boy, it's I who thanks you. More posts more cash. Keep them coming.
I also heard on the grapevine that FA were quite enthused about the FIFTEEN MILLION BIG ONES for qualifying for the WC. Wow that is a lot in your world. Less than 2 weeks in NRL but 50% up on footballs revenue. Happy days! :thumbup:
Ohh factsy, who is "he"? 25 players there champ so your very vague swings don't cut the mustard. Should we start at 0 - 1 again or you want to try claw some back from your 0 - 8?
Who's retired? Make no mistake champ, I earn more a day than your newstart pays in a fortnight. That why I get to go to all the different games and codes all over the world. You keep hiding in the dark at your mums house little man telling me what I don't like.
My recollection was last year Vlandys was against players going go play for their countries o/s and Ivan was very quick to back the master and commander. I guess PVL is ok with these games though.. Maybe that's how the blood clots that started in Ivan's knees came to be.... :silly:
Actually how good Nat! 1 bloke!
And I'm hearing on the Grapevine we have "Malta" vs "Lebanon" in Western Sydney on Wednesday hahaha
All these big tough men representing there families for countries they couldn't locate on a map.
Thanks for your continued support. It's good to see atleast 1 person defending the 2 state suburban sport
Actually really? You’re a classy chap deriding a guy for representing their family. I guess if you had someone in your life who cared about your existence you may not be so, well, like a person who needs behave like you. Mum must be proud.
Those Panthers boys that are born and bred in Western Sydney Nat? How dare they represent where they were born and grew up Actually! Actually Crichton is the only Actual Samaon.
Tonga has a population about the size of a Sydney suburb, and wealth many multiples below that. Are you seriously begrudging them not having their own development pathways? Or questioning whether their diaspora hold their cultural identity if they move to larger neighbouring countries?
Do you have a point at all?
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
And Lebanon won 30 - 14. Jeez Malta will be disappointed. It will be a day of morning in Veletta tomorrow.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Still better than Queensland's eligibility rules. (Cmon Queensland. Cmon. I'll fight ya all)
Muzz
Guest
That Kiwi side looks good. No pressure Madge.
Dan Nix
Roar Rookie
That Kiwi forward pack *swoon*. Best I've seen.
Adam
Roar Guru
They're from those new artificial wombs
Pete
Guest
Can't remember seeing a stronger NZ team in recent times. Should be a cracker but the NZ spine should get them over the line.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Fiji v PNG should be a good even game, Tong v NZ also. Samoa gunna smash Cook islands. Samoa are in that interesting space where they are short of Tonga & NZ but well in advance of the others. Do the French play League internationals these days?? should be on par with Samoa? I'm looking forward to the Samoan and Tonga war cries, the crowd absolutely goes off....
He def has potential but still very green and unproven.. and by the looks of it, will have to carry the play making duties.. Hope the best for him.
Nat
Roar Guru
Oh dear boy, it's I who thanks you. More posts more cash. Keep them coming. I also heard on the grapevine that FA were quite enthused about the FIFTEEN MILLION BIG ONES for qualifying for the WC. Wow that is a lot in your world. Less than 2 weeks in NRL but 50% up on footballs revenue. Happy days! :thumbup:
Nat
Roar Guru
Ohh factsy, who is "he"? 25 players there champ so your very vague swings don't cut the mustard. Should we start at 0 - 1 again or you want to try claw some back from your 0 - 8? Who's retired? Make no mistake champ, I earn more a day than your newstart pays in a fortnight. That why I get to go to all the different games and codes all over the world. You keep hiding in the dark at your mums house little man telling me what I don't like.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
My recollection was last year Vlandys was against players going go play for their countries o/s and Ivan was very quick to back the master and commander. I guess PVL is ok with these games though.. Maybe that's how the blood clots that started in Ivan's knees came to be.... :silly:
Eric
Guest
Actually how good Nat! 1 bloke! And I'm hearing on the Grapevine we have "Malta" vs "Lebanon" in Western Sydney on Wednesday hahaha All these big tough men representing there families for countries they couldn't locate on a map. Thanks for your continued support. It's good to see atleast 1 person defending the 2 state suburban sport
Eric
Guest
Hey Nat! I found 1.. and he never played a game in Tonga hahaha I hope you're having a good day and enjoying retirement
Nat
Roar Guru
Actually really? You’re a classy chap deriding a guy for representing their family. I guess if you had someone in your life who cared about your existence you may not be so, well, like a person who needs behave like you. Mum must be proud.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Not Junior Amone, see what he can do with some confidence and faith and freedom... :thumbup: :thumbup:
Eric
Guest
Those Panthers boys that are born and bred in Western Sydney Nat? How dare they represent where they were born and grew up Actually! Actually Crichton is the only Actual Samaon.
KenW
Roar Rookie
Tonga has a population about the size of a Sydney suburb, and wealth many multiples below that. Are you seriously begrudging them not having their own development pathways? Or questioning whether their diaspora hold their cultural identity if they move to larger neighbouring countries? Do you have a point at all?
Albo
Roar Rookie
Nat, I think they might be committed to their State next weekend . Priorities ! :happy:
Nat
Roar Guru
Samoa are the big losers here. Imagine if the Panthers boys joined that team. I hope PNG get their OS players back as well.
Nat
Roar Guru
So we can let Luai and To’o go to Samoa next weekend? :stoked: