Stars galore for Kiwis, Tonga, PNG, Samoa, Fiji, Cook Islands, NSW, Queensland

Queensland: 

1. Tamika Upton – Central Queensland Capras
2. Emily Bass – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
3. Evania Pelite – Souths Logan Magpies
4. Shenae Ciesiolka – Brisbane Tigers
5. Julia Robinson – West Brisbane Panthers
6. Tarryn Aiken – Tweed Seagulls
7. Ali Brigginshaw – Brisbane Tigers
8. Chelsea Lenarduzzi – Burleigh Bears
9. Brittany Breayley-Nati – Souths Logan Magpies
10. Shannon Mato – Tweed Seagulls
11. Tallisha Harden – Burleigh Bears
12. Tazmin Gray – Burleigh Bears
13. Destiny Brill – North Queensland Gold Stars
14. Lauren Brown – Burleigh Bears
15. Jessika Elliston – Tweed Seagulls
16. Steph Hancock – Souths Logan Magpies
17. Tiana Raftstrand-Smith – Burleigh Bears
18. Zahara Temara – Burleigh Bears
19. Karina Brown – Burleigh Bears
20. Romy Teitzel – North Queensland Gold Stars
21. Keilee Joseph – Central Coast Roosters – NSWRL
22. Sara Sautia – Souths Logan Magpies

Saturday, June 25

Kiwi Ferns v Mate Ma’a Tonga Women: 1.10pm (AEST) at Mt Smart Stadium

Kiwi Ferns: Amy Turner, Annetta-Claudia Nu’uausala, Autumn-Rain Stephens Daly, Charlotte Scanlan, Christyl Stowers, Georgia Hale, Hailee-Jay Maunsell, Kararaina Wira-Kohu, Karli Hansen, Katelyn Vaha’akolo, Krystal Rota, Laishon Albert-Jones, Madison Bartlett, Mya Hill-Moana, Ngatokotoru Arakua, Nita Maynard, Page, McGregor, Raecene McGregor, Roxy Murdoch.

Mate Ma’a Tonga: Laikha Clarke (Gold Coast Titans), Tegan Dymock (St George Illawarra Dragons), Keisharn Hala (Brisbane Tigers), Elenoa Havea, Haylee Hifo (Mounties), Kalosipani Hopoate (Sydney Roosters), Bridget Hoy (Tweed Seagulls) Mary Latu, Amelia Mafi, Seli Mailangi (Parramatta Eels), Shannon Muru (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Kimberly Nikua (St Marys), Monica Samita, Natasha Penitani (Cronulla Sharks), China Polata (Brisbane Broncos), Pier Pritchard (North Sydney Bears), Erana Reti (St George Dragons), Luisa Sekona (West Brisbane Panthers), Lavinia Tauhalaliku, Ana Taumalolo.

Jesse Bromwich is tackled in the 2019 Test between the Kiwis and Tonga at Mt Smart Stadium. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

New Zealand v Mate Ma’a Tonga: 3.20pm AEST at Mt Smart Stadium

New Zealand have named a 25-man squad full of Test and NRL experience for their clash with Tonga at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday June 25. Recently dumped Wests Tigers mentor Michael Maguire will coach the side in its first outing since November, 2019.

Storm veterans Jesse and Kenny Bromwich, Brandon Smith and Nelson Asofa-Solomona will form the nucleus of a tough pack while veteran playmaker Kieran Foran is vying with Dylan Brown to partner Jahrome Hughes in the halves after Shaun Johnson was overlooked.

Te Maire Martin, who has made a tremendous comeback from retirement for the Broncos this season, has been rewarded for his stellar form and is a strong chance to fill the No.1 jersey left vacant by Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s switch to rugby.

Roosters star Joey Manu will also add a touch of class out wide while Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo, who was controversially ruled ineligible for Queensland last year, has been selected in his first Kiwis squad.

Kiwis squad
Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Storm), Jesse Bromwich (Storm), Kenneath Bromwich (Storm), Dylan Brown (Eels), Erin Clark (Titans), James Fisher-Harris (Panthers), Kieran Foran (Sea Eagles), Peta Hiku (Cowboys), Jahrome Hughes (Storm), Moses Leota (Panthers), Isaac Liu (Titans), Joseph Manu (Roosters), Te Maire Martin (Broncos), Ken Maumalo (Tigers), Ronaldo Mulitalo (Sharks), Griffin Neame (Cowboys), Briton Nikora (Sharks), Marata Niukore (Eels), Isaiah Papalii (Eels), Jordan Rapana (Raiders), Jordan Riki (Broncos), Brandon Smith (Storm), Scott Sorensen (Panthers), Joseph Tapine (Raiders), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors)

Daniel Tupou. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

Tonga coach Kristian Woolf named a squad filled with NRL talent for the Test with the Kiwis and while he gets Kotoni Staggs back from Origin duty, he has lost Sharks centre Siosifa Talakai to NSW.

Manly forward Haumole Olakau’autu was an outside chance of being picked by the Blues but will now wear the red of Tonga next weekend.

Cowboys assistant Dean Young will coach Tonga as Woolf is in England with St Helens.

The Tongan forwards will be led by Cowboys lock Jason Taumalolo and also feature Rabbitohs second-rower Keaon Koloamatangi, Roosters veteran Siosiua Taukieaho, Canterbury’s Tevita Pangai jnr and Titans prop Moeaki Fotuaika, who represented Queensland in the Origin arena last year but was overlooked for game one last week.

In the backs, Dragons centre Moses Suli, Parramatta rising star Will Penisini, Sharks winger Sione Katoa and Sea Eagles rookie Tolu Koula have plenty of attacking potency while St George Illawarrra young gun Talatau Amone is in line for his Test debut in the halves alongside Penrith teenager Isaiya Katoa, who has signed with the Dolphins next year.

Tonga squad: Tolotau Koula (Sea Eagles), Daniel Tupou (Roosters), Siosifa Talakai (Sharks), Moses Suli (Dragons), Sione Katoa (Sharks), Kotoni Staggs (Broncos), Talatau Amone (Dragons), Siosiua Taukieaho (Roosters), Siliva Havili (Rabbitohs), Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors), Sitili Tupouniua (Roosters), Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs), Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys), Soni Luke (Panthers), Haumole Olakau’atu (Sea Eagles), Tevita Pangai jnr (Bulldogs), Tevita Tatola (Rabbitohs), Moeaki Fotuaika (Titans), Will Penisini (Eels), Isaiya Katoa (Panthers), Andrew Fifita (Sharks), Joe Ofahengaue (Wests Tigers), Starford To’a (Wests Tigers), Christian Tuipulotu (Sea Eagles), Eliesa Katoa (Warriors)

Martin Taupau. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

Samoa v Cook Islands: 5.40pm at Campbelltown Sports Stadium

Samoa: Young Warriors playmaker Ronald Volkman, who is making his NRL debut in Round 15 against Penrith, is a chance to earn his first Test jersey next weekend, likely on the bench with club teammate Chanel Harris-Tavita and Knights veteran Anthony Milford also in Samoa’s squad to face Cook Islands at Campbelltown in the Saturday double-header.

Matt Parish’s team features plenty of seasoned NRL first-graders with international experience, including Marty Taupau, Jaydn Su’A, David Nofoaluma, Luciano Leilua and Josh Aloiai.

Samoa: Anthony Milford (Newcastle Knights), Bunty Afoa (Warriors), Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors), Charlie Staines (Penrith Panthers), David Nofoaluma (Wests Tigers), Francis Molo (St George Illawarra Dragons), Izack Tago (Penrith Panthers), Jaxson Paulo (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Jaydn Su’A (St George Illawarra Dragons), Jazz Tevaga (Warriors), Josh Aloiai (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles), Josh Schuster (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles), Keenan Palasia (Brisbane Broncos), Luciano Leilua (North Queensland Cowboys), Martin Taupau (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles), Mathew Feagai (St George Illawarra Dragons), Ronald Volkman (Warriors), Spencer Leniu (Penrith Panthers), Taylan May (Penrith Panthers), Toafofoa Sipley (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)

Cook Islands: Tinirau Arona (Wakefield), Geoff Daniela (St Marys), Anthony Gelling (NZ), Kayal Iro (Newtown Jets), Andre Iro (Southport), Reece Joyce (NZ), Makahesi Makatoa (Parramatta Eels), Steven Marsters (Thirroul Butchers), Esan Marsters (Gold Coast Titans), Davvy Moale (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Malachi Morgan (Southport), Moses Noovao-McGreal (Norths Devils), Pride Pettersen-Robati (Warriors), Brendan Piakura (Brisbane Broncos), Reuben Porter (Tweed Heads), Reuben Rennie (Newtown Jets), Vincent Rennie (Newtown Jets), Brodie Tamarua (NZ), Aaron Teroi (Central Queensland Capras), Xavier Willison (Brisbane Broncos)

Papua New Guinea v Fiji: 7.50pm at Campbelltown Sports Stadium

Papua New Guinea take on Wales in the opening round of the RLWC. (Image: NRL)

St George Illawarra’s Jack de Belin has not been included in Papua New Guinea’s squad for their upcoming Test against Fiji but newly appointed head coach Stanley Tepend is hopeful the lock will accept a call-up later in the year. 

Tepend and his predecessor Michael Marum have held discussions with De Belin about representing his grandmother’s birth nation over the last 12 months.

De Belin only returned to the NRL last year and hasn’t played representative football since 2018, with the 31-year-old ruling himself out of Kumuls selection for next week’s Test at Campbelltown.

PNG squad: Alex Johnston (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Robert Derby (Northern Pride), David Mead (Brisbane Broncos), Justin Olam (Melbourne Storm), Terry Wapi (PNG Hunters), Lachlan Lam (Sydney Roosters), Epel Kapinias (Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Wartovo Puara (PNG Hunters), Sylvester Namo (PNG Hunters), Nixon Putt (Central Capras), Daniel Russell (Easts Tigers), Liam Horne (Norths Devils), Kyle Laybutt (Townsville Blackhawks), Emmanuel Waine (PNG Hunters), McKenzie Yei (Central Capras), Jacob Alick (Gold Coast Titans), Dilbert Issac (PNG Hunters), Sherwin Tanabi (PNG Hunters), Cruise Ten (Souths Logan)

Fiji: Tui Kamikamica (Melbourne Storm), Vuate Karawalevu (Sydney Roosters), Viliame Kikau (Penrith Panthers), Issac Lumelume (Canterbury Bulldogs), Iosefo Masi (North Queensland Cowboys), Taane Milne (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Laitia Moceidreke (North Queensland Cowboys), Kevin Naiqama (Sydney Roosters), Mikaele Ravalawa (St George Illawarra Dragons), Taniela Sadrugu (North Queensland Cowboys), Maika Sivo (Parramatta Eels), Penioni Tagituimua (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Sunia Turuva (Penrith Panthers), Semi Valemei (Canberra Raiders), Brandon Wakeham (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Mesake Kurititoga (Nadera Panthers), Lamar Liolevave (Tweed Seagulls), Netane Masima (Wests Magpies), Keylen Miller (Mounties), Tikiko Noke (Parkes Spacemen), Waqasaqa Qiolevu (Yasawa Saints), Nasoki Ralulu (Bomballa Blue Heelers),  Joseva Rasiga (Parkes Spacemen), Joseph Ratu (Tweed Seagulls), Ethan Robinson, Pio Seci (Avignon), Pio Sokobalavu (Mounties) Maika Tudravu (Sarina Crocs), Marika Turagaiviu (USP Raiders),  Ratu Inoke Vasuturaga (Kinoya Eagles).

Maika Sivo (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Sunday, June 26

State of Origin II: 7.50pm AEST at Optus Stadium

New South Wales: 

1. James Tedesco (c)
2. Brian To’o
3. Matt Burton
4. Stephen Crichton
5. Daniel Tupou
6. Jarome Luai
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Payne Haas
9. Api Koroisau
10. Jake Trbojevic
11. Cameron Murray
12. Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo
    Interchange
14. Damien Cook
15. Angus Crichton
16. Junior Paulo
17. Siosifa Talakai
18. Nicho Hynes
19. Joseph Suaalii
20. Jordan McLean
21. Clint Gutherson
22. Victor Radley

Queensland: 

1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Selwyn Cobbo
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Dane Gagai
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Cameron Munster
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Lindsay Collins
9. Ben Hunt
10. Josh Papalii
11. Kurt Capewell
12. Felise Kaufusi
13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
14. Harry Grant
15. Jai Arrow
16. Patrick Carrigan
17. Jeremiah Nanai
18. Tom Dearden
19. Thomas Flegler
20. Beau Fermor
21. Corey Oates
22. Reece Walsh