Official team lists, updates and injury news for Week 2 of the 2025 Pacific Championships Men’s and Women’s tournaments.
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Pacific Championships Late Mail: Week 2
Jillaroos v Fetu Samoa, Sunday 2.00pm (AEDT) at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Jillaroos: The Jillaroos will line up 1-17 as named. Coach Jess Skinner has named three debutantes with Jesse Southwell taking over as halfback from the injured Tarryn Aiken, while props Rima Butler and Ellie Johnston also get their first taste of international football. Co-captain Kezie Apps moves to her more favoured second-row position, while Olivia Kernick takes over at lock with Simaima Taufa out of the squad with injury. After coming off the bench in the Jillaroos’ most recent match in Las Vegas, Roosters star Jess Sergis will start on one wing with Broncos premiership winner Julia Robinson on the other. Sarah Togatuki is 18th player.
Fetu Samoa: Powerhouse back-rower Shalom Sauaso has been added to the starting side and hour before kick-off with Pihuka Berryman-Duff reverting to the bench. A new-look backline with Jetaya Faifua moving from fullback to halfback to take over from Pauline Piliae-Rasabale, who is out injured. Titans young gun Destiny Mino-Sinapati slides to fullback and Mercedez Taulelei-Siala comes in on the wing for her fourth Test appearance. Vice-captain Sienna Lofipo suffered a head knock in the closing stages against the Kiwi Ferns and will sit out this week. Simone Karpani is again the 18th player.
Tonga XIII v Toa Samoa, Sunday 4.00pm (AEDT) at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Tonga XIII: A switch on game day with Leka Halasima joining the starting side along with Felise Kaufusi who came in on Saturday for Jason Taumalolo (knee). Siua Wong goes back to the bench where he is joined by Soni Luke, Moeaki Fotuaika and Demitric Vaimauga. State of Origin centre Robert Toia will make his Test debut as will Storm prop Stefano Utoikamanu, Warriors edge forward Halasima and Eels young gun Isaiah Iongi, who will join Isaiya Katoa in the halves. Paul Alamoti is 18th man.
Toa Samoa: Hooker Jazz Tevaga will take his place after the NRL cleared him to play despite suffering a head knock last week while prop Terrell May (hamstring) is back after missing the Kiwis game. Tevaga comes from the bench with Benaiah Ioelu starting the game while May also comes off the bench. Francis Molo also starts the game with Josh Papalii going to the bench. Simi Sasagi joins the starting side in place of Jaydn Su’A (concussion). Ativalu Lisati is 18th man.
PNG Kumuls v Cook Islands Aitu, Saturday 4.00pm (AEDT) at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Kumuls: The five big inclusions who weren’t part of the PM’s XIII game are skipper Lachlan Lam, hooker Edwin Ipape, back-rower Rhyse Martin, centre Zac Laybutt and tryscoring legend Alex Johnston. After coming off the bench in his only Test appearance last November, Morea Morea grabs the coveted No.1 jersey and veteran Nene MacDonald moves to centre in his 20th international for the Kumuls. Penty of experience in the pack with Jack de Belin and Nixon Putt while son of a gun Cooper Bai makes his Test debut off the bench alongside Finley Glare, Sylvester Namo and Jacob Alick. The Kumuls will line up 1-17, with Robert Mathias the 18th man.
Cook Islands: Karmichael Hunt has switched up his backline on game day for the second week in a row. Esan Marsters will line up at halfback, with Cassius Cowley shifting to five-eighth, Caelys-Paul Putoko to the wing and Esom Ioka to fullback. Changes in the forward pack as well. Rua Ngatikaura comes off the bench to start at hooker, Mason Teague moving to lock and Pride Petterson-Robati shifting to prop. Tepai Moeroa drops out of the squad, with Brody Tamarua coming on to the bench.
Cook Islands Moana v Tonga XIII, Saturday 2.00pm (AEDT) at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Moana: A change in the centres with Keira Rangi coming in for her Test debut with Kiarah Siauane moving to the wing and Hannah Makira dropping out. Debutante Porche John and Jodeci Joseph are the new faces on the bench with Memory Paitai moving to 18th player and April Ngatupuna dropping to the reserves. No changes in Saturday’s final team update, with Paitai remaining the 18th player.
Tonga XIII: Natasha Penitani and Pani Hopoate will show the way up front for Tonga in their opening match while second-rower Shannon Muru will also offer plenty of go-forward. Bulldogs backs Moana Courtenay and Simina Lokotui make their Test debuts along with Newcastle’s Fane Finau, Parramatta’s Martha Mataele and playmaker Malia Tuifua, who will partner Emmanita Paki in the halves. Test debuts as well for Kaylani Tavita, Tatiana Finau and Iunisi-Ruby Smith-Tufulele-Fifita. A late change to the team on game day, with Manalita Takapautolo dropping out of the squad. Tatiana Finau comes into the back row, with Pauline Suli-Ruka added to the bench.
