2017 Pacific Tests

rhugh89

rhugh89

Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
England joins Pacific Test triple-header in May


Wed 15 Mar, 2017, 3:17pm
NRL.com


For the first time, the 2017 edition of the Pacific Test will see the might of England clash with the brave of Samoa as part of an all International Rugby League triple-header at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Saturday May 6.

In what is sure to be an action-packed Saturday, featuring some of the best rugby league talent from across the globe, the PNG Kumuls will take on the skill and power of the Cook Islands, before traditional rivals Fiji Bati and Mate Ma'a Tonga battle it out for Pacific ascendency in the penultimate match of the day.

The May 6 triple-header will culminate with Toa Samoa aiming to make history and dethrone England for the first time.

"We're under no illusions that this will be a tough test for us with the majority of the playing group coming from abroad, but we'll prepare the best we can," England Coach Wayne Bennett

"The Samoans are always a tough outfit, but we've got a solid group of players to choose from and I'm looking forward to getting everyone together for the match ahead of the World Cup later this year."

Similar to previous years and with generous support from Destination NSW, the week leading up to the event will include fan and community activities, school visits from NRL Pacific Ambassadors and the Pacific Youth Summit at Western Sydney University. .

"This is terrific news for South-West Sydney," Member for Camden Chris Patterson said.

"Having six international rugby league teams play at Campbelltown Sports Stadium will give us an opportunity to showcase the region and celebrate the cultural contributions Pacific Island communities have made to our neighbourhoods."

"It's fantastic for Campbelltown and the wider Macarthur community to have access to such a diverse, inclusive and exciting festival of international Rugby League, right here in our own backyard," Campbelltown Mayor, Cr George Brticevic said.

"I encourage footy fans to take advantage of the opportunity, and hope to see a packed Campbelltown Sports Stadium come May 6."

Tickets for the 2017 Pacific Test triple-header will be on sale from 3:00pm Tuesday, March 21 from nrl.com/tickets

General Public family packages are available for $65, while adult tickets are available for as little as $25.


http://www.nrl.com/england-joins-pa...in-may/tabid/10874/newsid/104673/default.aspx
 
Not getting much coverage and I reckon the Islanders will have their tails up to down the Poms. Great battles the last few Tonga v Samoa last few years.

Surely the NRL could have picked a better venue. It is a desolate place that Lurneah, even if they like to call it Campbelltown Sports Stadium. The whatever it is called now Bluetongue/2G0 Stadium at Gosford would be ideal, with train transport to the door, the CC Leagues Club across the road.
 
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Matt Parish has named 15 players he says he expects will be in the Samoa team, including Pete and Sione Mataútia.
 
England have named their squad

Sam Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs, Dewsbury Moor)
Thomas Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs, Dewsbury Moor)
Luke Gale (Castleford Tigers, Middleton Marauders)
James Graham (Canterbury Bulldogs, Blackbrook)
Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos, Oulton Raiders)
Zak Hardaker (Castleford Tigers, Featherstone Lions)
Chris Heighington (Cronulla Sutherland Sharks, Umina Bunnies)
Chris Hill (Warrington Wolves, New Springs Lions)
Josh Hodgson (Canberra Raiders, East Hull)
Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield Giants, Deighton Juniors)
Mike McMeeken (Castleford Tigers, Staines Titans)
Chris McQueen (Gold Coast Titans. Wynnum Manly Seagulls)
Sean O'Loughlin (C) (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks)
Mark Percival (St Helens, Halton Farnworth Hornets)
Scott Taylor (Hull FC, Skirlaugh)
Alex Walmsley (St Helens, Dewsbury Celtic)
Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos, Latchford Albion)
Elliott Whitehead (Canberra Raiders, West Bowling)
Gareth Widdop (St. George Illawarra Dragons, King Cross)
George Williams (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks)


http://www.rugby-league.com/england...uad-for-samoa-test-match#sthash.8zHJZUiK.dpuf
 
Seven from the NRL ~ must be looking at saving air fares. Don't know if I would call it the might of England.
 
Samoa and Tonga squads announced


Fri 28 Apr, 2017, 5:47pm
Media Release, NRL


Toa Samoa and Mate Ma'a Tonga have announced their squads ahead of next Saturday's historic international rugby league triple-header at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.

Some of the game's most exciting players feature in each of the line-ups, including Anthony Milford, Josh McGuire and Sam Kasiano for Toa Samoa, and Michael Jennings, Will Hopoate, Andrew Fifita and representing Mate Ma'a Tonga.

The PNG Kumuls open proceedings in the first Test on May 6 when they take on the Cook Islands before traditional rivals Fiji and Tonga face off in the penultimate match of the evening. Toa Samoa complete the triple-header when on they take on the number three-ranked side, England.

Mate Ma'a Tonga coach Kristian Woolf was looking forward to the week ahead with calibre of players named in his squad.

"This is the first time since I've been involved that every player is coming straight from an elite NRL system, which is really exciting," Woolf said.

"It's the most talented group we've ever assembled, so if we work hard as a team next Saturday against Fiji, I've got no doubt we'll fulfil our potential this year."

The squads for Fiji Bati, Papua New Guinea and Cook Islands will be named on Sunday following the conclusion of Round 9 of the NRL Telstra Premiership.

Tickets for the 2017 Pacific Test triple-header are on sale now from nrl.com/tickets, with General Public family packages available for $65 and adult tickets available for as little as $25.

Toa Samoa Squad

NB: Players are listed in alphabetical order with an additional player to be included following the completion of Round 9 NRL Telstra Premiership matches.

Leeson Ah Mau – St George Illawarra Dragons
John Asiata - North Queensland Cowboys
Fa'amanu Brown – Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
Herman Ese'ese – Brisbane Broncos
Sam Kasiano – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Tim Lafai - St George Illawarra Dragons
Joseph Leilua – Canberra Raiders
Isaac Liu – Sydney Roosters
Josh McGuire– Brisbane Broncos
Peter Mata'utia – Newcastle Knights
Sione Mata'utia - Newcastle Knights
Suaia Matagi – Parramatta Eels
Anthony Milford – Brisbane Broncos
David Nofoaluma – Wests Tigers
Kaysa Pritchard – Parramatta Eels
Sauaso Sue – Wests Tigers
Antonio Winterstein – North Queensland Cowboys

Mate Ma' Tonga Squad

1. Will Hopoate – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
2. Daniel Tupou – Sydney Roosters
3. Brenko Lee - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
4. Michael Jennings – Parramatta Eels
5. Jorge Taufua – Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
6. Tuimoala Lolohea – New Zealand Warriors
7. Ata Hingano – New Zealand Warriors
8. Andrew Fifita – Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
9. Siliva Havili – St George Illawarra Dragons
10. Leilani Latu – Penrith Panthers
11. Sika Manu (c) - Hull FC
12. Felise Kaufusi – Melbourne Storm
13. Sio Siua Taukeiaho – Sydney Roosters

14. Sione Katoa – Penrith Panthers
15. Joe Ofahengaue – Brisbane Broncos
16. Siosaia Vave – Parramatta Eels
17. Addin Fonua-Blake – Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
18. Samisoni Langi – Penrith Panthers
19. Patrick Kaufusi – North Queensland Cowboys
20. Leivaha Pulu – Gold Coast Titans
21. Sione Vea – Tongan Rugby League


http://www.nrl.com/samoa-and-tonga-squads-announced/tabid/10874/newsid/106195/default.aspx
 
Updated squads: England, Tonga, Fiji, PNG


Mon 01 May, 2017, 9:00am
Media Release, NRL


Updated squads for this Saturday's historic triple-header at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.

England Squad

NB: Players listed in alphabetical order

Kevin Brown
Sam Burgess
Thomas Burgess
Luke Gale
James Graham
Ryan Hall
Zak Hardaker
Chris Heighington
Chris Hill
Josh Hodgson
Jermaine McGillvary
Mike McMeeken
Chris McQueen
Sean O'Loughlin (c)
Mark Percival
Stefan Ratchford
Scott Taylor
Alex Walmsley
Kallum Watkins
Elliott Whitehead

Mate Ma' Tonga Squad

1. Will Hopoate – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
2. Daniel Tupou – Sydney Roosters
3. Konrad Hurrell – Gold Coast Titans
4. Brenko Lee – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
5. Moses Suli – Wests Tigers
6. Tuimoala Lolohea – New Zealand Warriors
7. Mafoa’aeata Hinganao – New Zealand Warriors
8. Leilani Latu – Penrith Panthers
9. Siliva Havili – St George Illawarra Dragons
10. Addin Fonua-Blake – Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
11. Felise Kaufusi – Melbourne Storm
12. Tony Williams – Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
13. Joe Ofahengaue – Brisbane Broncos

14. Sione Katoa – Penrith Panthers
15. Patrick Kaufusi – North Queensland Cowboys
16. Leivaha Pulu – Gold Coast Titans
17. Siosaia Vave – Parramatta Eels
18. Samisoni Langi – Penrith Panthers
19. Sione Vea – Tongan Rugby League

Fiji Bati Squad

NB: Players are listed in alphabetical order

Waqa Blake (Penrith)
Kane Evans (Sydney Roosters)
Tui Kamikamica (Melbourne Storm)
Viliame Kikau (Penrith Panthers)
Apisai Koroisau (Manly Sea Eagles)
Taane Milne (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Marcelo Montoya (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Sitiveni Moceidreke (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Ben Nabubuwai (Gold Coast Titans)
Kevin Naiqama (Wests Tigers)
Ben Nakubuwai (Sunshine Coast)
Tyrone Phillips (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Henry Raiwalui (Manly Sea Eagles)
Daniel Saifiti (Newcastle Knights)
Jacob Saifiti (Newcastle Knights)
Korbin Sims (Brisbane Broncos)
James Storer (Illawarra)
Eloni Vunakece (Sydney Roosters)
Suliasi Vunivalu (Melbourne Storm)

Papua New Guinea

1. Stargroth Amean – PNG Hunters
2. Justin Olam - Melbourne Storms
3. Thompson Teteh - Redcliffe Dolphins
4. Nene McDonald - St George Illawarra Dragons
5. Adex Were - PNG Hunters
6. Watson Boas - PNG Hunters
7. Ase Boas - PNG Hunters
8. Henry Noki - PNG Hunters
9. Wartovo Puara Jnr - PNG Hunters
10. Luke Page - Burleigh Bears
11. Rod Griffin – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
12. Rhys Martin – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
13. Stanton Albert - PNG Hunters

14. Tommy Butterfield - East Tigers
15. Willie Minoga - PNG Hunters
16. Wellington Albert - PNG Hunters
17. Richard Pandia - Ipswich Jets
18. Nixon Put - PNG Hunters


http://www.nrl.com/updated-squads-england-tonga-fiji-png/tabid/10874/newsid/106278/default.aspx
 
Cook Islands Squad

Uiti Baker
Geoff Daniela
Carney Doyle-Manga
Jonathon Ford
Alex Glenn
Ezra Howe
Isaac John
Makahesi Makatoa
Esan Marsters
Sam Mataora
David Munro
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Marata Niukore
Moses Noovao-McGreal
Reuben Porter
Reubenn Rennie
Kobe Tararo
Aaron Teroi
 
I really feel for the Tongan side. Andrew Fifita not considered for the Kangaroos and agreed to play with Tonga.

Woods and Boyd go down with injuries and selectors want Fifita back in the Australian squad. Mind you cannot blame Fifita. Australian players to be paid $20,000.000 per game. Tonga $500.00!
 
Uiti baker starting over Mataora is a suprise.

Be good to see how Luke Page goes today... still think we could have him on our books
 
88Knight4life said:
Uiti baker starting over Mataora is a suprise.

Be good to see how Luke Page goes today... still think we could have him on our books
Click to expand...
I was quite suprised uiti wasnt offered a contract with us this year. a good performance today may change that though
 
Fiji v tonga has been great to watch, got pretty meesythe final 10mins but some classy footy and big hits.
Korbs best on ground for meters in the forwards.
Dan started with 43m in the first set of 6 then 9m for the next 18mins on field.
Jacob has fallen away imo... needs a rocket up his bum.
 
Absolutely filthy on the officials.... evens gets hit with a shoulder charge to the head knocks on and the ref calls scrum to Tonga and they go on to score and win the game!
 
Very impressive Samoa team full of NRL talent, Would love to see them beat England !!
 
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