Tonga XIII v Fetu Samoa: Debutants on show; Pelite makes switch
Both Tonga and Samoa boast formidable squads to challenge at this Pacific Championships and will be out to make a statement for their nations when they take to the field in Fiji.
A place in the upcoming 2026 Women’s Rugby League World Cup is also on the line as well, giving this year’s Pacific Championship matches even more meaning.
Both sides have a majority of players who have featured in the NRLW competition throughout this season and will field strong forward packs who will have a big say in the outcome of the game.
Tonga have a number of players who featured in the recent NRLW grand final for the Sharks, while Samoa also have combinations to call on, with Titans including Evania Pelite at fullback and Sienna Lofipo at lock having an established connection that was also strengthened during Queensland's Origin campaign.
Tonga women's team will be co-captained by Sharks second-rower Vanessa Foliaki and Wests Tigers centre Natasha Penitani, who both featured for the nation in last year's Pacific Championships tournament.
Tonga: Emmanita Paki makes her international debut at five-eighth alongside Eels playmaker Cassey Tohi-Hiku, who moves from her regular No.6 jersey into the halfback role. Exciting young fullback Ana Malupo and centre Kate Fallon also makes their Test debuts. Vastly experienced forward Vanessa Foliaki will co-captain the Tonga side along with Natasha Penitani, who lines up for her third Test match. After squaring off in the NRLW grand final a fortnight ago, Rooster Pani Hopoate and Sharks Tegan Dymock, Manilita Takapautolo, Filomina Hanisi and Foliaki are all now teammates. In Friday's 24-hour update Noia Fotu-Moala and Claudia Finau dropped out of the squad. Seli Mailangi is the reserve and Shannon Muru is 18th player.
Samoa: Former Jillaroo Evania Pelite is joined by fellow Titans Sienna Lofipo, Sarina Masaga and Laikha Clarke in a strong Fetu Samoa outfit looking to build on an impressive win over Fiji in last year's Pac Champs. Centre Lindsay Tui bagged a double in that game while skipper Annetta-Claudia Nuuausala was also among the tries. Wests Tigers back-rower Christian Pio earns a Test debut on the back of a strong season in which she averaged 108 metres per game. Young flyer Mercedez Taulelei-Siala played centre for Queensland Under-19s against NSW this year and gets her first Test cap on the wing.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
