International Pacific Championship

[Zaggo]

I had a look at how many seats are left for our home games, and gee the sales look to be pretty dire.

NZRL will be hoping for a massive surge of late interest now that squads are out and the NRL is over - I am too, because I know otherwise I'll need to put up with bloody Cantabs bleeting on that they should've got a game.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Tonga is so strong. Will Leka get a run?

They have half a dozen good NRL quality backrowers!

 

[Shogun]

Cook Islands squad for 2025 Pacific Championships

Brad Takairangi (South West Goannas)
Brendan Piakura (Brisbane Broncos)
Brody Tamarua (Norths Devils)
Cassius Cowley (Wynnum-Manly Seagulls)
Davvy Moale (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Delahia Wigmore (Penrith Panthers)
Esan Marsters (Salford Red Devils)
Esom Ioka (Northern Pride)
Justin Makirere (Norths Devils)
KL Iro (Cronulla Sharks)
Marata Niukore (New Zealand Warriors)
Makahesi Makatoa (Sydney Roosters)
Mason Teague (Newcastle Knights)
Paul Ulberg (Toulouse Olympique)
Pride Petterson-Robati (Souths Logan Magpies)
Reuben Porter (Wests Tigers)
Reubenn Rennie (Toulouse Olympique)
Rua Ngatikaura (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Teapo Stoltman (Souths Logan Magpies)
Tepai Moeroa (North Sydney Bears)​

 

[Shogun]

Fiji’s 20-man squad for 2025 Pacific Championships

Tui Kamikamica
Ben Nakubuwai
Michael Waqa
Caleb Navale
Kylan Mafoa
Kitione Kautoga
Taane Milne
Keresi Maya
Kurt Donoghoe
Brandon Wakeham
Terrell Kalo Kalo
Peni Tagituimua
Sunia Turuva
Solomone Saukuru
Semi Valemei
Jethro Rinakama
Akuila Qoro
Ronald Philitoga
Jahream Bula
Michael Jennings

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Fiji’s 20-man squad for 2025 Pacific Championships

Tui Kamikamica
Ben Nakubuwai
Michael Waqa
Caleb Navale
Kylan Mafoa
Kitione Kautoga
Taane Milne
Keresi Maya
Kurt Donoghoe
Brandon Wakeham
Terrell Kalo Kalo
Peni Tagituimua
Sunia Turuva
Solomone Saukuru
Semi Valemei
Jethro Rinakama
Akuila Qoro
Ronald Philitoga
Jahream Bula
Michael Jennings

Where’s this from?

Mark Nawaqanitawase was named a few days ago but not there now? Confirmed Aussie has him?

 

[Playdaball]

Cook Islands squad for 2025 Pacific Championships​

​

Brad Takairangi (South West Goannas)​

Brendan Piakura (Brisbane Broncos)​

Brody Tamarua (Norths Devils)​

Cassius Cowley (Wynnum-Manly Seagulls)​

Davvy Moale (South Sydney Rabbitohs)​

Delahia Wigmore (Penrith Panthers)​

Esan Marsters (Salford Red Devils)​

Esom Ioka (Northern Pride)​

Justin Makirere (Norths Devils)​

KL Iro (Cronulla Sharks)​

Marata Niukore (New Zealand Warriors)​

Makahesi Makatoa (Sydney Roosters)​

Mason Teague (Newcastle Knights)​

Paul Ulberg (Toulouse Olympique)​

Pride Petterson-Robati (Souths Logan Magpies)​

Reuben Porter (Wests Tigers)​

Reubenn Rennie (Toulouse Olympique)​

Rua Ngatikaura (South Sydney Rabbitohs)​

Teapo Stoltman (Souths Logan Magpies)​

Tepai Moeroa (North Sydney Bears)​

The Kukis love to roll out older guys such as Brad Takairangi.

 

[Playdaball]

NAS could be on fire as potentially playing for a contract

 

[Shogun]

Where’s this from?

Mark Nawaqanitawase was named a few days ago but not there now? Confirmed Aussie has him?

loverugbyleague.com a british rl site

 

[WHB]

Tonga is so strong. Will Leka get a run?

They have half a dozen good NRL quality backrowers!

No Paseka/Taukeiaho and still a kick ass team.

 

[WA Warrior]

Really happy for Keon. I always back the players no matter who they decide to represent.
The hypocrisy out there from the main stream media, commentators and Ex players is unbelievable though.
No talk about defection or turning his back on the Tongan jersey.
The ridicule Haas went through and Tino getting called out for even thinking about playing for Toa.

'One jersey I wanted': Koloamatangi takes big step towards childhood dream

Keaon Koloamatangi has revealed his desire to achieve a childhood dream triggered his decision to change his representative allegiance from Tonga to the Kangaroos.

www.nrl.com

 

[Boats n Hoes]

Not sure about Sorenson for the Kiwis. Strikes me as a player thats so club centric to Penrith, in that he's a role player that fits their systems.......but take him out of that or use him in a different way (as with the Kiwis last year} his limitations are evident, rather like a number of Storm players of yesteryear when they went to other clubs Hoffman etc. Possibly will be starting 2nd rower along with Nikora with Papali'i coming off the bench. Just feel the Kiwi's might be a bit underpowered there with some of the edges Tonga and Samoa will be churning out.

 

[Warriors55]

Not having Hughes is the biggest problem for us. He is on a much higher level than Foran is these days. I would even say Tonga and Samoa may have the edge in the halves which has not been the case in the past. These three squads look very even.

 

[Shogun]

Not having Hughes is the biggest problem for us. He is on a much higher level than Foran is these days. I would even say Tonga and Samoa may have the edge in the halves which has not been the case in the past. These three squads look very even.

Tonga don't have a 6 + Luai and the overrated Talagi couldn't score more than 18 points vs England

 

[WA Warrior]

Tonga don't have a 6 + Luai and the overrated Talagi couldn't score more than 18 points vs England

I will push back a little against the Toa halves criticism, they didn’t have Haas, Paulo, Papa, To’o, Taulagi etc laying a platform for them.
Last years Samoan side was almost a C team.

 

[Warriors4lyfe]

TMM been called into kiwis team?
Seen him in a couple of pics as well as the team photo.

 

[juju]

6.05pm Sunday is such an annoying time to attend this game.

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

Weather might be a factor in Stacey selections. Supposed to be raining in Auckland on Sunday.

Does he go with size and power?
Who would miss out?
Team named at 6pm?

Obviously Hughes is on a whole different level but, I genuinely believe Foran will be fine a 7.
A Foran/Brown combo is better than a SJ/CNK combo.

It’s where he puts CNK that’s got me concerned. If the weather is shit I’d play him at fullback over Kini and promise Kini the Tonga game.

 

[Zaggo]

It’s where he puts CNK that’s got me concerned. If the weather is shit I’d play him at fullback over Kini and promise Kini the Tonga game.

Flawed approach though because what if we smoke them by 50, and/or CNK has an absolute blinder? You'd look silly swapping them based on a decision made before the game.

I hope Stace doesn't overthink it and just picks who he believes to be the better player. For me, that would be Kini - especially given the platform our forwards will probably lay.

 

[Teets]

TMM been called into kiwis team?
Seen him in a couple of pics as well as the team photo.

If Foran goes down which is always a chance, i'd prefer him at 7 than Crossland or Brown.

 

[WahsaurusRex]