The NRL season might be done and dusted, but there's still plenty of rugby league to enjoy this year with the Pacific Championships set to get underway.
Australia will start their shot at redemption at home to Tonga in the Pacific Cup, with Mal Meninga opting to usher in a host of new faces following their heavy defeat to New Zealand in the decider last year.
Kristian Woolf's side will make their Pacific Championships debut after missing the inaugural edition due to their tour of England.
In the opening match of the Pacific Bowl, Fiji hosts Papua New Guinea in a repeat of last year's final.
MORE: Pacific Championships - Every nation's squad
Australia vs. Tonga
Friday, October 18 at Suncorp Stadium (7.10pm AEDT)
Australia predicted team:
1. Dylan Edwards
2. Zac Lomax
3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
4. Tom Trbojevic
5. Xavier Coates
6. Tom Dearden
7. Mitch Moses
8. Patrick Carrigan
9. Harry Grant
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Angus Crichton
12. Cameron Murray
13. Isaah Yeo
14. Ben Hunt
15. Reuben Cotter
16. Mitch Barnett
17. Hudson Young
Kangaroos team news:
Dylan Edwards is set to play in the No.1 jersey for the Aussies for the first time after usurping former captain James Tedesco.
Zac Lomax and Xavier Coates are the only recognised wingers in the squad so will need to be managed during the tournament.
Tom Trbojevic is set to start in the centres after last featuring there for the national side in 2018, while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Bradman Best will likely be competing for the other spot in the backline.
Mitch Moses will debut at halfback and is likely to be partnered in the halves by Tom Dearden, with Matt Burton also competing for the vacant No.6 jersey after Cam Munster was ruled out through injury.
Patrick Carrigan will play in the front row with Isaah Yeo to be named at lock after also being handed the captaincy.
Yeo is set to be joined in the backrow by fellow NSW teammate Angus Crichton and Cameron Murray.
The South Sydney skipper or Reuben Cotter will come into the starting side after Liam Martin withdrew from the tournament due to injury with Hudson Young taking his spot in the squad.
Ben Hunt is likely to serve as the utility on the bench with Reece Robson his competition for the No.14 jersey.
Mitch Barnett could make his Kangaroos debut off the bench with the Warriors enforcer expected to be ahead of Lindsay Smith in the pecking order.
Tonga predicted team:
1. Lehi Hopoate
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Paul Alamoti
4. Moses Suli
5. Sione Katoa
6. Tolutau Koula
7. Tuimoala Lolohea
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Soni Luke
10. Taniela Paseka
11. Haumole Olakau’atu
12. Eli Katoa
13. Jason Taumalolo
14. Siliva Havili
15. Felise Kaufusi
16. Keaon Koloamatangi
17. Sitili Tupouniua
Tonga team news:
Lehi Hopoate could be set to make his international debut at fullback with Isaiah Iongi likely to be also fighting for the No.1 jersey.
Daniel Tupou will line up on the wing with Sione Katoa on the opposite flank, while the centre pairing is likely to be Paul Alamoti and Moses Suli.
Tolutau Koula could be forced to play in an unfamiliar position in the halves and will partner Tuimoala Lolohea.
Addin Fonua-Blake and Taniela Paseka will start up front with Panthers hooker Soni Luke taking the No.9 jersey ahead of Siliva Havili, who looks set for a place on the pine as the utility.
An all-star backrow could feature any number of combinations although Haumole Olakau’atu, Eli Katoa
and Jason Taumalolo could get the nod in the opening fixture.
Felise Kaufusi, Keaon Koloamatangi and Sitili Tupouniua are set to take the remaining spots in the 17 ahead of Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Siua Wong.
Fiji vs. Papua New Guinea
Saturday, October 19 at HCF Bank Stadium (7.10pm AEDT)
Fiji predicted team:
1. Sunia Turuva
2. Maika Sivo
3. Michael Jennings
4. Waqa Blake
5. Semi Valemei
6. Kurt Donoghoe
7. Kevin Naiqama
8. Tui Kamikamica
9. Penioni Tagituimua
10. Ben Nakubuwai
11. Viliame Kikau
12. Taane Milne
13. Caleb Navale
14. Joe Lovodua
15. Kitione Kautoga
16. Jordan Miller
17. Kylan Mafoa
Bati team news:
Sunia Turuva will take over at fullback with Jahream Bula missing this year due to injury.
Maika Sivo and Semi Valemei are set to be on the wings ahead of rookie Bulldog Jethro Rinakama with an experienced centre pairing of Michael Jennings and Waqa Blake.
Kurt Donoghoe or Bayleigh Bentley-Hape are set to be partnered in the halves by former captain Kevin Naiqama, who may be handed the No.7 jersey, or Tigers prospect James Valevatu.
Captain Tui Kamikamica will start up front and is likely to be supported by Leigh forward Ben Nakubuwai.
Viliame Kikau is back on deck for the tournament after missing last year's through injury with Taane Milne and Caleb Navale joining him in the backrow.
Joe Lovodua, who plays for Doncaster in the UK, could be handed the No.14 jersey. He could be accompanied on the pine by Tigers prop Jordan Miller.
Kylan Mafoa and lock Nathan Kegg-Smith could be competing to make their debuts for Fiji off the bench.
Papua New Guinea predicted team:
1. Sanny Wabo
2. Robert Derby
3. Elijah Roltinga
4. Rodrick Tai
5. Nene Macdonald
6. Kyle Laybutt
7. Lachlan Lam
8. Sylvester Namo
9. Edwin Ipape
10. Valentine Richard
11. Rhyse Martin
12. Daniel Russell
13. Jack De Belin
14. Judah Rimbu
15. Liam Horne
16. Jeremiah Simbiken
17. Jacob Alick Wienke
Kumuls team news:
Plenty of question marks around the make up of the Kumuls team with star men Alex Johnson and Justin Olam out injured.
As the only recognised fullback in the squad, Sanny Wabo could be given the nod for his debut at the back, although at 165cm, expect him to be targeted in the air.
Robert Derby and Nene Macdonald are expected to keep their spots on the wings, with another potential debutant in Elijah Roltinga a chance to feature in the centres, opposite Rodrick Tai.
Kyle Laybutt and Lachlan Lam have plenty of experience in the halves, as does Edwin Ipape at dummy half.
The exact mix of the forward pack could change but the backrow or Rhyse Martin, Daniel Russell and Jack De Belin will likely stay put.
Valentine Richard may be given the task in the middle, alongside Sylvester Namo.
Off the bench, Judah Rimbu and Liam Horne offer plenty of versatility, while the NRL-listed Jacob Alick Wienke and Jeremiah Simbiken will be pushing for a start.
