Australia and New Zealand will do it all over again this weekend, only this time the inaugural Pacific Championships trophy will be on the line when they meet in Hamilton.
The Kangaroos recorded a comprehensive victory over the Kiwis in their first clash in Melbourne and will recall their first-choice front row partnership for the final, while Michael Maguire has made a decision on where Joey Manu will play.
Papua New Guinea and Fiji will also run it back in the Pacific Bowl final with a Penrith star ruled out once again.
MORE: Michael Maguire under fire as Kiwis coach ahead of Kangaroos final clash
The Sporting News has all the team news ahead of the final week of rugby league action for 2023.
Fiji vs. Papua New Guinea
(Sunday, November 5 at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby)
Fiji Bati confirmed team
1. Jahream Bula
2. Maika Sivo
4. Waqa Blake
5. Mikaele Ravalawa
18. Jason Qareqare
6. Kurt Donoghoe
7. Brandon Wakeham
8. Tui Kamikamica
9. Penioni Tagituimua
10. King Vuniyayawa
12. Apisalome Saukuru
13. Taane Milne
15. Caleb Navale
11. Kitione Kautoga
16. Gordon Whippy
17. Watisoni Waqanisaravi
21. Pio Seci
18. Jason Qareqare
14. Noah Nailagoliva
20. Sirilo Lovokuro
Fiji team news
Sunia Turuva missed out last week due to a calf injury and was initially named to return in the centres in a massive lift for Fiji. However, the Panthers rookie has once again been ruled out.
Mikaele Ravalawa will remain in the centres with Jason Qareqare elevated from 18th man to slot in on the wing in Turuva's absence.
Kitione Kautoga missed out against PNG last week but will also return via the bench where he is joined by Watisoni Waqanisaravi and Pio Seci.
Penioni Tagituimua and Noah Nailagoliva have been alternating between starting and coming off the bench at hooker. However, Nailagoliva drops out of the 17 for the final along with Sirilo Lovokuro.
Mesake Ravonu suffered a head knock late in the piece against PNG and has been ruled out.
Papua New Guinea confirmed team
1. Alex Johnston
2. Robert Derby
3. Zac Laybutt
4. Rodrick Tai
5. Nene Macdonald
6. Kyle Laybutt
7. Lachlan Lam
8. Epel Kapinias
9. Edwin Ipape
10. Valentine Richard
11. Rhyse Martin
12. Dan Russell
13. Jack De Belin
14. Judah Rimbu
15. Liam Horne
16. Junior Rop
17.Nixon Putt
18. Jacob Allick
19. Wellington Albert
20. Keven Appo
21. Benji Kot
Kumuls team news
Justin Holbrook has made one change to his starting side with Rodrick Tai replacing Benji Kot in the centres. However, there are a number of changes on the bench.
Keven Appo and Edwin Ipape were both charged for a dangerous throw although they will be eligible to play in the final after being issued with fines. Ipape starts at hooker, but Appo drops to the reserves.
Liam Horne and Nixon Putt missed out on selection last week and have returned to the fold via the interchange, with Junior Rop also bagging a place in the 17.
Jacob Allick and Wellington Albert drop out of the side, while MacKenzie Yei hasn't been able to overcome a knee injury in time to play.
PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS
New Zealand 30 - 0 Australia
(Saturday, November 4 at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton)
Kiwis confirmed team
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Ronaldo Mulitalo
3. Matthew Timoko
4. Joseph Manu
5. Jamayne Isaako
6. Dylan Brown
7. Jahrome Hughes
8. James Fisher-Harris
9. Kieran Foran
10. Moses Leota
11. Isaiah Papali’i
12. Briton Nikora
13. Joseph Tapine
14. Fa'amanu Brown
15. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
16. Griffin Neame
17. Leo Thompson
18. Naufahu Whyte
Kiwis team news
Michael Maguire faced a tough choice with calls growing louder to put Joey Manu at fullback following New Zealand’s heavy loss to Australia last week.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has been preferred in the No.1 jersey for the first two matches of the tournament and has once again been trusted to start at the back after the Kiwis named an unchanged side.
The New Zealand pack was outmuscled by the Kangaroos in Melbourne, but debutants Wiremu Greig and Naufahu Whyte haven't been able to break into the 17.
Maguire has instead favoured building consistency within his side as he has opted to run with the exact same engine room for the third week running.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona was charged for a high shot on James Tedesco but is free to play after only being issued with a fine.
Australia confirmed team
1. James Tedesco
2. Dylan Edwards
3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
4. Kotoni Staggs
5. Valntine Holmes
6. Cameron Munster
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Payne Haas
9. Ben Hunt
10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
12. Liam Martin
17. Rueben Cotter
13. Isaah Yeo
14. Harry Grant
15. Lindsay Collins
16. Pat Carrigan
18. Nicho Hynes
19. Tom Flegler
Kangaroos team news
A major blow for the Aussies with Cam Murray ruled out of the Test due to tendonitis with Nicho Hynes elevated from 18th man to cover his absence.
LATEST - Cameron Murray (tendonitis) RULED OUT of today’s Pacific Cup final V Kiwis.
— Zac Bailey (@ZacBailey14) November 4, 2023
Nicho Hynes comes into @Kangaroos 17 for his second Test after debuting last Saturday @NRLonNine @9NewsSyd #9News
Reuben Cotter will start in the backrow, while Flegler has been listed as 18th man.
Mal Meninga opted to hand out debuts to Hynes and Flegler in the dead rubber fixture against the Kiwis, while Jake Trbojevic was also included in the front row.
However, that trio initially returned to the reserves for the final with Payne Haas, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Liam Martin named after being rested last week.
Valentine Holmes returned from suspension and scored to make it 20 tries in 20 appearances for his country to date. The North Queensland star has maintained his spot in the backline, with Selwyn Cobbo the man to miss out again.
