Panthers’ new rising star; code switcher’s infamous ref atrocity — Pac Champs players to watch

It’s fair to say this year’s Pacific Championships competition is stacked with talent.

With a host of big-name stars opting to represent their heritage, and more players available than ever, squads have been bolstered in a big way.

However, despite the strength of the squads this year, there’s still a host of players hopeful of making a splash, especially for the teams playing in the bowl competition.

So here, foxsports.com.au highlights several players to watch during the 2025 Pacific Championships competition!

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Note: PNG are yet to name their squad.

NAUFAHU WHYTE (New Zealand)

Fresh off a stellar season with the Roosters, Naufahu Whyte is certainly a player to watch as he attempts to stamp his mark on the international game. Not because he has a point to prove at clubland, but because the 23-year-old has the potential to become one of the NRL’s best middle forwards. Whyte started in all 23 of his appearances, playing crucial minutes in the front row and at lock as he cemented himself as one of the Tricolours’ most important players under Trent Robinson. In a forward pack that boasts big-name stars like Lindsay Collins, Spencer Leniu, Connor Watson and Angus Crichton, Whyte was the man who stood out from the bunch at various stages in the 2025 season. The rising star had the most running metres of any Roosters forward, the third most tackles and the second most tackle busts in what was an impressive campaign. Whyte has been named on the pine for New Zealand and his performances could be crucial under Stacey Jones as an impact player against a tiring opposition.

DYLAN BROWN (New Zealand)

All eyes will be on Dylan Brown, and especially those of Knights fans. The gun playmaker has been named at five-eighth alongside Kieran Foran to face Samoa, but will be plying his trade in the No.7 jersey when he turns out for Newcastle next season. The 25-year-old signed a mammoth 10-year, $13 million contract earlier this year — money no player can turn down. Brown has also acknowledged that what comes with a deal of the magnitude is more pressure, so his performances in this year’s Pacific Championships will be under the microscope. The talented playmaker has reportedly already begun training with his new Knights teammates, but will get his first chance to play alongside one in Phoenix Crossland against Samoa, who has been named on the pine. Their connection in 2026 could be a crucial one for Newcastle and any game time they get together will only benefit Justin Holbrook’s side. Brown was also left out of Jason Ryles’ Eels halves between Round 20 and Round 26, spending time in the centres before slotting back in to close out the season.

PAYNE HAAS (Samoa)

Payne Haas in Samoa colours? The fans are desperately waiting to see it. The superstar prop made the decision to defect and represent his heritage instead of the Kangaroos ahead of this year’s Pacific Championships in a huge boost for the island nation. The 25-year-old is coming off a mammoth year that has seen him win a premiership, play Origin, win the Broncos’ Player of the Year award and also earn selection in the Dally M Team of the Year. Haas is arguably the best forward in rugby league right now and Ben Gardiner now has him at his disposal to face New Zealand and Tonga, naming him in the starting side for their first clash against the Kiwis. He joins a Samoa side who already boast a wealth of talent and were finalists in the most recent World Cup in 2022, lining up alongside veteran Josh Papalii and Junior Paulo at lock. Haas will undoubtedly be gearing up to leave a dent in New Zealand’s defensive line.

SIMI SASAGI (Samoa)

Simi Sasagi is another player who had an impressive campaign at clubland and he has been named on the pine in what is a strong Samoa forward pack. The Raiders gun emerged as a crucial bench player under Ricky Stuart, and the 24-year-old even started at five-eighth in Canberra’s loss to the Sharks after Ethan Strange was sidelined due to illness. Sasagi is a versatile player and has missed out on a starting spot with both Jaydn Su’A and Jeremiah Nanai in this squad. Regardless, Sasagi will have a role to play and he will be desperate at some stage to get a starting spot to showcase his skills. In clubland, Sasagi also faces still competition to start, with Zac Hosking, Hudson Young and Matty Nicholson all vying for backrow spots. Meanwhile, Sebastian Kris and Matt Timoko have the centre positions locked down, meaning Sasagi is in a similar situation for both club and nation. Regardless, he gets a chance to add to his singular Samoa cap this weekend.

DEMETRIC VAIMAUGA (Tonga)

Demetric Vaimauga enjoyed an impressive season for the Warriors, becoming a key forward under Andrew Webster. The 21-year-old’s minutes off the bench were crucial for New Zealand and he got better as the season rolled on. Vaimauga, alongside Leka Halasima, has emerged as the best of the Warriors’ rising crop of forwards and now potentially gets a chance to showcase his skills at international level. However, there’s a chance Vaimauga will have to bide his time, with the likes of Addin Fonua-Blake, Stefano Utoikamanu, Jason Taumalolo, Moeaki Fotuaika and Felise Kaufusi all being middle forwards. Of those, Kaufusi is the most likely to be leapfrogged by Vaimauga, with the Dolphins veteran managing only 16 games in 2025, with majority of those coming at prop. Regardless, Vaimauga will get a chance to shine at some point under Kristian Woolf and his stocks will only continue to grow with a strong Pacific Championships.

DELAHIA WIGMORE (Cook Islands)

Delahia Wigmore made his NSW Cup debut against the Raiders in Round 26, coming off the bench and playing 41 minutes for the Panthers. Wigmore played in the centres during last year’s Pacific Championships, featuring in two games in the Cook Islands’ losses to Fiji and Papua New Guinea. The rising star spent time during Penrith’s Jersey Flegg campaign in the back row, having started on an edge in their grand final loss to the Storm. The 21-year-old has been named on the bench to face Fiji in Round 1, with Brendan Piakura and Reuben Porter being the preferred edge pairing. Meanwhile, KL Iro and Reubenn Rennie take up the centre spots. Wigmore will be utilised as a versatile option off the pine and Panthers bosses could be watching his performances closely as he attempts to work through the grades at the NRL powerhouse at the foot of the mountain.

MORE GRAND FINAL NEWS

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ESOM IOKA (Cook Islands)

Esom Ioka made his international debut during the 2023 Pacific Championships, turning out at fullback for two games while one more came in the No.1 jersey and another on the wing in 2024. Ioka has been named on the flank against Fiji this weekend, with Esan Marsters getting the nod at fullback. Ioka has previously been involved with the Cowboys, playing in the centres in this year’s pre-season challenge loss to the Dolphins. The 22-year-old also turned out 19 times for the Northern Pride in 2025, plying his trade across the backline after making the switch from the Western Clydesdales. The talented flyer could put himself in the shopfront of NRL clubs with some strong Pacific Championships performances and his impressive turn of pace and ability to reel in wayward passes and kicks will be on full display as he comes face-to-face with Tigers star Sunia Turuva.

KERESI MAYA (Fiji)

Keresi Maya is the only player in this Fijian squad that plys his trade in the island nation’s local competition, playing for Vodafone Cup team Fiji Navy Albatross. The 24-year-old was named in the extended squad in 2024, but has now been named to make his debut off the pine against the Cook Islands, completing a huge, and turbulent, rise. Maya’s journey has been far from smooth sailing and in 2020 he earned a six-year ban from rugby union for an incident which took place during an under 19s clash between Naitasiri and Tailevu. Maya punched referee Peni Talemaivavalgi, leaving him on the ground with a broken nose after disagreeing with a decision he made. A permanent stay was put on the criminal charges levelled against Maya, whose football career looked to be over. According to Rugby Pass, Maya was preparing to sign a development contract with the Sharks at the time, which was ultimately dashed following the shock moment. The Fijian then spent time as a sideline referee and playing rugby league, before he ultimately earned his place in the Bati squad and will now make his international debut.

RONALD PHILITOGA (Fiji)

Ronald Philitoga has been named on the extended bench for Fiji and he got a chance to showcase his skills alongside the new premiers in the 2025 pre-season. Philitoga had a train-and-trial contract with the Broncos to begin the season and played 14 games for Wynnum-Manly in the Queensland Cup this year, scoring 11 tries. Alongside that, he also got a game off the bench for Brisbane in the pre-season challenge, showing he is on the radar of NRL clubs. While Philitoga won’t initially get a chance to run out for his nation, there’s every chance he gets a game at some point during the Pacific Bowl competition. One injury and he is likely to join the backline, or should head coach Wise Kativerata want to rotate his squad, Philitoga will be one of the first to slot in. He is also yet to make his international debut in what could be a proud moment for the talented flyer.

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