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The 14 Super League players called up to play in the 2024 Pacific Championships

Tonga international and Super League half-back Tui Lolohea

The 2024 Pacific Championships get underway this weekend as international rugby league returns to our TV screens. It will be just the third time the Pacific Championships have been held down under with six teams competing against each other for the chance to pick up some silverware.

Of course, Samoa won’t be involved as they travel to England for a two-match Test series this autumn. But, six of the world’s top 10 nations will be involved, with the Pacific Cup and the Pacific Bowl on offer.

Australia, New Zealand and Tonga will compete for the Cup, with the team that finishes bottom of that three-team group set to take on either Papua New Guinea, Fiji or Cook Islands in the relegation/promotion play-off.

A number of Super League players will be involved, representing their countries in the coming weeks. Here’s who’s been called up.

Tonga – Tui Lolohea

Lolohea is practically a veteran on the international scene at this point with the 29-year-old collecting 18 international caps with Tonga. He’s been representing his heritage since 2015 and the Huddersfield Giants man continues to produce his best in the red and white of Mate Ma’a Tonga.

Tonga are in action this Friday at Suncorp Stadium against Australia before travelling to Auckland to take on New Zealand on November 2.

Fiji – Waqa Blake, Kevin Naiqama, Ben Nakubuwai

Naiqama has 25 caps for Fiji and at the age of 35, he is the second most senior man in the group, while Waqa Blake, who has recently been released by St Helens and Ben Nakubuwai of Leigh Leopards, who spent the second half of the season on loan with Featherstone Rovers, are also included.

Fiji host Papua New Guinea in Suva on October 19 and Cook Islands in the same venue seven days later. They’ll fancy their chances of being involved in the Pacific Championships promotion play-off.

Papua New Guinea – Edwin Ipape, Liam Horne, Lachlan Lam, Nene Macdonald, Rhyse Martin, Sylvester Namo, Daniel Russell, Rodrick Tai

It’s no surprise to see Leigh Leopards’ dynamic duo involved here, while Hull KR bound Rhyse Martin is also included. Castleford Tigers pair Sylvester Namo and Liam Horne have done enough to earn a call while Rodrick Tai has more than caught the eye in the primrose and blue of Warrington.

Nene Macdonald did enough to earn a Dream Team spot this season, such was his form, while Warrington fans will be watching Daniel Russell closely ahead of his move to England.

Papua New Guinea go to Fiji for their first game, as mentioned above, before meeting Cook Islands in Port Moresby on November 3.

New Zealand – Peta Hiku

Hiku has been called up but the Grade E charge he was handed on Monday afternoon ensures he is expected miss out on the chance to pick up silverware this autumn. The Hull KR man was punished for touching Junior Nsemba while he was down injured and while it will go to tribunal, he’s looking at a ban of between three to five games.

Cook Islands – Esan Marsters

Marsters is the sole Super League representative in the Cook Islands squad, although there are some familiar names such as former Hull KR man Brad Takairangi and ex-Leeds Rhinos man Zane Tetevano.

Cook Islands play Fiji on October 26 before heading to Papua New Guinea a week later for what could be a Bowl decider.

Samoa (to take on England) – John Asiata, Ricky Leutele, Keenan Palasia

Samoa won’t be involved this year as they travel to the Northern Hemisphere for a two-Test series, with the first being held in Wigan on October 27 before the two sides go at it again in Leeds on November 2. Hull FC bound John Asiata will fancy his chances of being involved, while Leeds fans will be keen to get their first glimpses of Palasia ahead of his move from the NRL.

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