Samoa solve injury headache; Tonga’s left-field spine: Pacific Championships Team Lists

The second week of the Pacific Championships is here and once again a host of stacked teams face off, with Samoa solving their injury headache.

Initial fears were Ben Gardiner would be without three stars — Jazz Tevaga, Jaydn Su’A and Ata Mariota — but only two have been omitted.

Jazz Tevaga has been named despite suffering a head knock, with two utilities on the bench and star prop Terrell May listed a reserve as he eyes a return from a hamstring injury.

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Elsewhere, Tonga have named their first side of this year’s Pacific Championships, with Isaiah Iongi named in the halves alongside Isaiya Katoa.

Lehi Hopoate wears the No.1 jersey in a spine shake-up from Kristian Woolf alongside a stacked forward pack ready to go toe-to-toe with Samoa.

The PNG Kumuls will also play their first game against the Cook Islands, while the Jillaroos face Fetu Samoa and Cook Islands Moana and Tonga will also do battle.

MEN’S PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS

SATURDAY OCTOBER 25

PNG Kumuls vs Cook Islands Aitu at Santos National Football Stadium, 4:00pm AEDT

PNG Kumuls:

1. Morea Morea

2. Robert Derby

3. Zac Laybutt

4. Nen Macdonald

5. Alex Johnston

6. Gairo Voro

7. Lachlan Lam

8. Epel Kapinias

9. Edwin Ipape

10. Jack de Belin

11. Rhyse Martin

12. Nixon Putt

13. Liam Horne

14. Finley Glare

15. Jacob Alick

16. Cooper Bai

17. Sylvester Namo

18. Robert Mathias

19. Dudley Dotoi

20. Valentine Richard

Cook Islands:

1. Esan Marsters

2. Paul Ulberg

3. KL Iro

4. Reubenn Rennie

5. Esom Ioka

6. Caelys-Paul Putoko

7. Cassius Cowley

8. Makahesi Makatoa

9. Mason Teague

10. Tepai Moeroa

11. Brendan Piakura

12. Reuben Porter

13. Pride Petterson-Robati

14. Rua Ngatikaura

17. Rhys Dakin

18. Delahia Wigmore

20. Justin Makirere

19. Teapo Stoltman

SUNDAY OCTOBER 26

Tonga vs Toa Samoa at Suncorp Stadium, 4:00pm AEDT

Tonga:

1. Lehi Hopoate

2. Daniel Tupou

3. Tolutau Koula

4. Robert Toia

5. Sione Katoa

6. Isaiah Iongi

7. Isaiya Katoa

8. Addin Fonua-Blake

9. Siliva Havili

10. Stefano Utoikamanu

11. Siua Wong

12. Eliesa Katoa

13. Jason Taumalolo

14. Soni Luke

15. Leka Halasima

16. Felise Kaufusi

17. Moeaki Fotuaika

18. Demitric Vaimauga

19. Paul Alamoti

20. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

21. Will Penisini

Samoa:

1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

2. Brian To’o

3. Izack Tago

4. Deine Mariner

5. Murray Taulagi

6. Blaize Talagi

7. Jarome Luai

8. Josh Papalii

9. Jazz Tevaga

10. Payne Haas

11. Jeremiah Nanai

12. Simi Sasagi

13. Junior Paulo

14. Chanel Harris-Tavita

15. Benaiah Ioelu

16. Ativalu Lisati

17. Francis Molo

18. Lyhkan King-Togia

19. Clayton Faulalo

20. Terrell May

21. Tyrone May

WOMEN’S PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS

SATURDAY OCTOBER 25

Cook Islands Moana vs Tonga at Santos National Football Stadium, 2:00pm AEDT

Cook Islands Moana:

1. Kiana Takairangi

2. Kiarah Siauane

3. Keira Rangi

4. Deleni Paitai

5. Paulina Morris-Ponga

6. Lydia Turua-Quedley

7. Chantay Kiria-Ratu

8. Lavinia Kitai

9. Pearl Tuitama

10. Ashlee Matapo

11. Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu

19. Kaiyah Atai

13. Jazmon Tupou-Witchman

14. Kerehitina Matua

15. Porche John

16. Ngatokotoru Arakua

17. Jodeci Joseph

18. Memory Paitai

12. April Ngatupuna

20. Hannah Makira

Tonga:

1. Ana Malupo

2. Moana Courtenay

3. Fane Finau

4. Martha Mataele

5. Simina Lokotui

6. Malia Tuifua

7. Emmanita Paki

8. Natasha Penitani

9. Seli Mailangi

10. Kalosipani Hopoate

11. Shannon Muru

12. Manalita Takapautolo

13. Amelia Huakau

14. Kaylani Tavita

15. Jade Fonua

16. Tatiana Finau

17. Ruby Fifita

18. Pauline Suli-Ruka

20. Paea Uilou

21. Vanessa Foliaki

SUNDAY OCTOBER 26

Jillaroos vs Fetu Samoa at Suncorp Stadium, 2:00pm AEDT

Jillaroos:

1. Tamika Upton

2. Julia Robinson

3. Isabelle Kelly

4. Tiana Penitani Gray

5. Jessica Sergis

6. Ali Brigginshaw ©

7. Jesse Southwell

8. Rima Butler

9. Keeley Davis

10. Jessika Elliston

11. Kezie Apps

12. Yasmin Clydsdale

13. Olivia Kernick

14. Quincy Dodd

15. Keilee Joseph

16. Ellie Johnston

17. Jakiya Whitfield

18. Sarah Togatuki

19. Abbi Church

20. Jocelyn Kelleher

21. Makenzie Weale

Fetu Samoa:

1. Destiny Mino-Sinapati

2. Jessica Patea

3. Lindsay Tui

4. Sarina Masaga

5. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala

6. Taliah Fuimaono

7. Jetaya Faifua

8. Annetta-Claudia Nu’uausala

9. Destiny Brill

10. Eliza Lopamaua

11. Tavarna Papalii

12. Ryvrr-Lee Alo

13. Sienna Lofipo

14. Pihuka Berryman-Duff

15. Laikha Clarke

16. Shalom Sauaso

17. Simone Karpani

18. Ella-Jaye Harrison-Leaunoa

19. Estanoa Faitala-Mariner

20. Jaydika Tafua

21. Monica Tagoai

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