New signings among four Super League players named to Pacific Championship squads

The squads for the Pacific Championships have been confirmed with a handful of Super League players named, including some new signings.

With Australia playing England in the upcoming Ashes series, it means that the Pacific Championships will have a new winner in 2025 after the Kangaroos claimed the Cup last year.

The Pacific Championships comprise two three-team competitions, the Cup and the Bowl, with six nations competing and the seventh major nation then touring England.

As such, it will be Tonga, Samoa and New Zealand compete for the Cup, whilst Papua New Guinea, Fiji and the Cook Islands will compete for the Bowl with PNG having won that the last two years.

The opening games of the Pacific Championships take place this weekend with Fiji taking on the Cook Islands on Saturday, before New Zealand host Samoa on Sunday with both games available to watch in the UK via Sky Sports.

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Pacific Championship squads confirmed

Fiji v Cook Islands – Saturday 18th October @ 6:00 am

The first of those games will actually be played in Papua New Guinea with Fiji taking on the Cook Islands with two current Super League players named, as well as one incoming signing.

Taane Milne, who signed for Huddersfield Giants last year, will play in the second row for Fiji whilst former Huddersfield man Esan Marsters will start at full-back for the Cook Islands.

Castleford Tigers new signing Semi Valemei will play in the centres for Fiji with it still remaining unclear if the outside back will play centre or wing under Ryan Carr next year.

One name of note is Brad Takairangi, the former Hull KR man, with the 36-year-old starting in the halves for the Cook Islands.

Fiji XIII: Jahream Bula, Sunia Turuva, Semi Valemei, Michael Jennings, Jethro Rinakama, Kurt Donoghoe, Brandon Wakeham, Tui Kamikamica, Penioni Tagituimua, Michael Waqa, Taane Milne, Kitione Kautoga, Caleb Navale

Fiji interchanges: Terrell Kalo Kalo, Solomone Saukuru, Keresi Maya, Kylan Mafoa

Cook Islands XIII: Esan Marsters, Paul Ulberg, KL Iro, Reubenn Rennie, Esom Ioka, Brad Takairangi, Cassius Cowley, Makahesi Makatoa, Mason Teague, Tepai Moeroa, Brendan Piakura, Reuben Porter, Pride Petterson-Robati

Cook Islands interchanges: Ruatapu Laurence Ngatikaura, Brody Tamarua, Rhys Dakin, Delahia Wigmore

New Zealand v Samoa – Sunday 19th October @ 6:05 am

Sunday’s game is arguably the better with Samoa now looking a real danger after a number of players declaring to play for them, including the NRL’s best prop in Payne Haas.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will go up against the team he formerly played for as well in another of the key storylines.

As for Super League interest, there is just one man and that is Wakefield Trinity signing Jazz Tevaga with the outgoing Manly star set to start at hooker for Samoa.

New Zealand XIII: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Jamayne Isaako, Matthew Timoko, Casey McLean, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Dylan Brown, Kieran Foran, James Fisher-Harris, Jeremy Marshall-King, Moses Leota, Briton Nikora, Isaiah Papali’i, Joseph Tapine

New Zealand interchanges: Phoenix Crossland, Naufahu Whyte, Erin Clark, Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Samoa XIII: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Murray Taulagi, Izack Tago, Deine Mariner, Brian To’o, Blaize Talagi, Jarome Luai, Josh Papalii, Jazz Tevaga, Payne Haas, Jeremiah Nanai, Jaydn Su’a, Junior Paulo

Samoa interchanges: Chanel Harris-Tavita, Simi Sasagi, Terrell May, Francis Molo