Pacific Championships 2023: Confirmed team lists for Australia, Samoa, PNG and Cook Islands

Liam O'Loughlin

Mark Molyneux

Pacific Championships 2023: Confirmed team lists for Australia, Samoa, PNG and Cook Islands image

The NRL season might be done and dusted, but there's still plenty of rugby league to played in 2023 with the inaugural Pacific Championships set to get underway. 

Australia, Samoa and New Zealand will do battle in one group of the tournament, while the other will feature Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Cook Islands.

Some of the biggest stars from the NRL will be in action across the four weekends of international football, while Tonga and England will have their own separate series. 

The Sporting News has all the team news for Australia, Samoa, PNG and Cook Islands below. 

 

Papua New Guinea vs. Cook Islands

(Sunday, October 15 at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby)

PNG 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. Judah Rimbu

10. Valentine Richard

11. Jacob Alick

12. Dan Russell

13. Jack de Belin
 

14. Liam Horne

15. Nixon Putt

16. Junior Rop

17. Benji Kot
 

18. Cruise Ten

19. Rhyse Martin

20. Wellington Albert

21. Justin Olam

PNG team news

Jack de Belin is set to make his Test debut for PNG after being named at lock, with his Dragons teammate Dan Russell joining him in the backrow. 

Alex Johnston will start at fullback with Cowboys young gun Zac Laybutt named in the centres. 

Kyle Laybutt will partner Lachlan Lam in the halves, while Judah Rimbu gets the nod at hooker. 

Justin Olam is the major omission with the Melbourne Storm star only listed in the reserves, alongside Rhyse Martin. 

Cook Islands confirmed team

1. Esam Ioka

2. Malachi Morgan

3. Kayal Iro

4. Esan Marsters

5. Steven Marsters

6. Brad Takairangi

7. Tevin Arona

8. Davvy Moale

9. Rua Ngatikaura

10. Makahesi Makatoa

11. Zane Tetevano

12. Ruben Porter

13. Pride Petterson-Robati


14. William Samuel

15. Rhys Dakin

16. Justin Makirere

17. Kadiyae Ioka
 

18. Takai Mokohar

19. Isaiah Cooper-Tetevano

20. Alvin Maungatti

21. Lucky Pokipoki

Cook Island team news

Kayal Iro has been named in a strong centre pairing with Esan Marsters as the Cronulla young gun looks to make an impression after a frustrating season. 

Brad Takairangi will skipper the side and starts at five-eighth with Tevin Arona named at halfback. 

Davvy Moale starts at prop in a strong engine room which also includes Makahesi Makatoa and Zane Tetevano. 

PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS WEEK 1

Australia 38 - 12 Samoa

(Saturday, 14 October at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville)

Australia Kangaroos confirmed team

1. James Tedesco (c)

2. Dylan Edwards

3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

4. Kotoni Staggs

5. Selwyn Cobbo

6. Cameron Munster

7. Daly Cherry-Evans

8. Payne Haas

9. Ben Hunt

10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

11. Cameron Murray

12. Liam Martin

13. Isaah Yeo
 

14. Harry Grant

15. Lindsay Collins

16. Pat Carrigan

17. Reuben Cotter
 

18. Nicho Hynes

Australia Kangaroos team news

Mal Meninga has named four debutants for Australia with Dylan Edwards being rewarded for his strong Panthers form with a place on the wing. 

Josh Addo-Carr was dropped following an incident at the Koori Knockout, which opened the door for Edwards to make his Test debut. 

The absence of Latrell Mitchell (finger) and Tom Trbojevic (pectoral), as well as the retirement of Jack Wighton, has allowed for two more debutants in the centres with Kotoni Staggs and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow named to start. 

Selwyn Cobbo will line up on the wing for the Kangaroos with Valentine Holmes (suspension) missing the game due to an off-field incident.

Ben Hunt has been named in the No.9 jersey, with Harry Grant set to enter the fray off the bench. Meanwhile, Payne Haas and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui will form a front row partnership with Patrick Carrigan and Lindsay Collins listed on the bench. 

Nathan Cleary (knee) was ruled out of the tournament after initially being selected in the Aussie squad, with Nicho Hynes coming in as the replacement. The Cronulla playmaker has been listed as 18th man. 

Toa Samoa confirmed team

1. Sua Faalago

2. Murray Taulagi

3. Izack Tago

4. Young Tonumaipea

5. Brian To'o

6. Stephen Crichton

7. Daejarn Asi

8. Stefano Utoikamanu

19. Justin Matamua

10. Junior Paulo

11. Luciano Leilua

12. Connelly Lemuelu

13. Keenan Palasia
 

9. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

14. Spencer Leniu

15. Terrell May

16. Heilum Luki
 

18. Royce Hunt

Toa Samoa team news

A selection shock for Samoa with Sua Faalago named to start at fullback, while Stephen Crichton fills in at five-eighth in the absence of Jarome Luai. 

Murray Taulagi will make his debut on the wing for Samoa after defecting from the Kangaroos, while Young Tonumaipea has beat out the likes of Greg Marzhew and Tommy Talau for a place in the backline. 

Gordon Chan Kum Tong has been named to start at hooker for his Test debut, playing with a powerful pack including the likes of Junior Paulo and Luciano Leilua. 

All in all, new coach Ben Gardiner has named nine debutants for Samoa – Faalogo, Taulagi, Daejarn Asi, Stefano Utoikamanu, Chan Kum Tong, Connelly Lemuelu, Terrell May, Heilum Luki and Ronald Volkman.

A host of big names from last year's World Cup side have been ruled out, with the likes of Luai, Joseph Suaalii and Jaydn Su'A sidelined due to injury. 

Meanwhile, Karl Oloapu and Jesse Arthars have dropped out of the squad after initially being named with Volkman and Talau called in. 

There has been a late change for Samoa with Gordon Chan Kum Tong dropping to the bench and Justin Matamua starting at hooker. Ronald Volkman has dropped off the interchange as a result of the switch.

Liam O'Loughlin

Liam O'Loughlin Photo

Liam has been with The Sporting News since 2019, helping lead both NRL and cricket content, as well as delving into the world of combat sports and NFL. A true rugby league tragic, he has spent the past 20 years playing, coaching and volunteering for his beloved junior club, Penshurst RSL. 

Away from work, Liam has a lifelong passion for all things pro wrestling and has travelled abroad to attend showcase events for WWE, AEW and NJPW. 

 

Mark Molyneux

Mark Molyneux Photo

Mark Molyneux is a freelance writer covering the NRL and UFC for Sporting News Australia. He has previously worked in the music industry and as a teacher around the world.