Rookie sensation Leka Halasima will make his Test debut as One New Zealand Warriors clubmates face off again on the international stage in round two of the Pacific Championships this weekend.
The 20-year-old will be in the furnace of the ultimate Pasifika battle when Tonga and Toa Sāmoa meet at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday (3.00pm kick-off local time; 6.00pm NZT).
He has been named on the interchange for the Tongans’ first outing of the series while Warriors teammate Demitric Vaimauga has been listed as 18th man.
After last Sunday’s combative series-opening 18-24 loss to the New Zealand Kiwis, the battered Sāmoans back up in what will be an equally memorable match between the island nations.
Lining up again for Sāmoa will be Warriors Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Chanel Harris-Tavita – Tuivasa-Sheck at fullback and Harris-Tavita on the bench – while ex-Warrior Jazz Tevaga has been named at hooker although he left the field with a head knock against the Kiwis and didn’t return.
As well as Halasima and Vaimauga, the Tongans have former Warriors Addin Fonua-Blake, Siliva Havili and Eliesa Katoa.
Making their entrance in the women’s Pacific Cup competition on Sunday will be the Australian Jillaroos taking on Fetu Sāmoa in the early game at Suncorp Stadium (1.00pm kick-off local time; 4.00pm NZT).
Coming off a heart-breaking 20-22 loss to the Kiwi Ferns, Sāmoa will again be led by Brisbane premiership-winning prop Annetta Nuuausala, who has signed to rejoin the Warriors for the 2026 NRLW season.
Two matches will again be played in the Pacific Bowl competitions in Port Moresby on Saturday.
In the men’s match-up, the PNG Kumuls face a Cook Islands Aitu side boasting 20-year-old Warrior Caelys Putoko named at standoff (although he was used at fullback last week).
Used in the centres and at fullback during the season, Putoko was named the Warriors’ Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) emerging player of the year. In his only New South Wales Cup match he scored two tries on debut and last weekend made his maiden international appearance in the Cook Islands’ 24-44 loss to the Fiji Bati.
The Cooks include three players who came through the Warriors’ system in centre and captain KL Iro, winger Paul Ulberg, halfback Cassius Cowley and loose forward Pride Petterson-Robati.
Five Warriors players are involved in the women’s Pacific Bowl match in Port Moresby between the Cook Islands Moana and Tonga.
The Cooks, impressive 34-6 winners over the PNG Orchids last Saturday, have Warriors Lydia Turua-Quedley, Lavinia Kitai, Ashlee Matapo and Kaiyah Atai in their lineup while Emmanita Paki is at halfback for Tonga’s first match of the series.
Pacific Championships | Warriors watch
Men
Pacific Cup
Tonga v Toa Sāmoa
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
6.00pm NZDT, Sunday, October 26
Tonga: Leka Halasima named on the bench, Demitiric Vaimauga 18th man. Former Warriors included: Prop Addin Fonua-Blake, hooker Siliva Havili and second rower Eliesa Katoa.
Toa Sāmoa: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck named at fullback, Chanel Harris-Tavita on the bench, former Warrior Jazz Tevaga at hooker.
Pacific Bowl
PNG Kumuls v Cook Islands Aitu
National Football Stadium, Port Morseby
6.00pm NZDT, Saturday, October 25
Cook Islands: Caelys Putoko named at standoff. Former Warriors included are winger Paul Ulberg, centre KL Iro, halfback Cassius Cowley and loose forward Pride Petterson-Robati.
Women
Pacific Bowl
Cook Islands Moana v Tonga
National Football Stadium, Port Morseby
4.00pm NZDT, Ssaturday, October 25
Cook Islands: Lydia Turua-Quedley named at halfback, Lavinia Kitai and Ashlee Matapo as starting props and Kaiyah Atai in the second row.
Tonga: Emmanita Paki named at halfback.
Pacific Cup
Jillaroos v Fetu Sāmoa
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
4.00pm NZDT, Sunday, October 26
Fetu Sāmoa: Warrior-to-be Netta Nuuausala named at prop and captain.
