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Mate Ma'a Tonga will kick off their 2023 Pacific Championships campaign when they head to Auckland to meet with a new-look Kiwi Ferns side. 

While Tonga didn't qualify for last year's World Cup, they are familiar with the international powerhouse that is the Kiwi Ferns after facing off in last year's mid-year Test match. 

The Tongan side went down 50-12 in Auckland last year but the Ferns can expect a more experienced Mate Ma'a side this year with a number of new NRLW stars featuring in the side including former Jillaroo Tiana Penitani. 

Meanwhile, the Ferns couldn't get the job done against the Aussies on Saturday and coach Ricky Henry has made several positional changes as his side looks to hit back in front of a passionate home crowd at Auckland. 

After losing the World Cup final by 50 points last November, the Ferns will have taken plenty of heart from their 16-10 effort against the Jillaroos but look to have gone back to the drawing board as they prepare for next week's rematch after meeting Tonga on Saturday.

Team News

Kiwi Ferns: Coach Ricky Henry has made a number of changes to the squad which went down to the Jillaroos 16-10 last week, the most significant of which sees Shanice Parker shift from centre to fullback and Tyla Nathan-Wong join the starting side at five-eighth, after making her Test debut off the bench against Australia. Apii Nicholls and Ashleigh Quinlan drop back to the wider reserves after starting last week, as does Laishon Albert-Jones, whose place in the second row is taken by Annessa Biddle. Biddle made a try-scoring debut on the wing against the Jillaroos, with her positional switch opening the door for Cheyelle Robins-Reti to debut on the flank. Abigail Roache comes into the centres and Tiana Davison is the new face on the bench.

Mate Ma'a Tonga: NSW outside back Tiana Penitani is a surprise selection in the No.7 jersey and will form a halves combination with Eels centre Cassey Tohi Hiku, in what will be both players’ first outing for Tonga. Penitani is joined in the squad by her sister Natasha, who was part of the Tongan side that played New Zealand last year in Auckland. Former Jillaroo Vanessa Foliaki heads up a forward pack which includes Titans prospect Dannii Perese, Parramatta second-rower Amelia Mafi and Sharks middle Tegan Dymock. Maroons representative China Polata will play centre after being used on the wing and at prop during the 2023 NRLW season with the Cowboys.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Kiwi Ferns is number 1 Shanice Parker
    Fullback for Mate Ma'a is number 1 Langi Veainu
  • Winger for Kiwi Ferns is number 2 Cheyelle Robins-Reti
    Winger for Mate Ma'a is number 2 Lavinia   Tauhalaliku
  • Centre for Kiwi Ferns is number 3 Mele Hufanga
    Centre for Mate Ma'a is number 3 China Polata
  • Centre for Kiwi Ferns is number 4 Abigail Roache
    Centre for Mate Ma'a is number 4 Litia Fusi
  • Winger for Kiwi Ferns is number 5 Leianne Tufuga
    Winger for Mate Ma'a is number 5 Haylee Hifo
  • Five-Eighth for Kiwi Ferns is number 6 Tyla Nathan-Wong
    Five-Eighth for Mate Ma'a is number 6 Cassey Tohi-Hiku
  • Halfback for Kiwi Ferns is number 7 Raecene McGregor
    Halfback for Mate Ma'a is number 7 Tiana Penitani

Forwards

  • Prop for Kiwi Ferns is number 8 Mya Hill-Moana
    Prop for Mate Ma'a is number 8 Folau Vaki
  • Hooker for Kiwi Ferns is number 9 Brooke Anderson
    Hooker for Mate Ma'a is number 14 Jade Fonua
  • Prop for Kiwi Ferns is number 10 Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa
    Prop for Mate Ma'a is number 10 Tegan Dymock
  • 2nd Row for Kiwi Ferns is number 11 Otesa Pule
    2nd Row for Mate Ma'a is number 11 Amelia Mafi
  • 2nd Row for Kiwi Ferns is number 12 Annessa Biddle
    2nd Row for Mate Ma'a is number 12 Vanessa Foliaki
  • Lock for Kiwi Ferns is number 13 Georgia Hale
    Lock for Mate Ma'a is number 13 Dannii Perese

Interchange

  • Interchange for Kiwi Ferns is number 14 Capri Paekau
    Interchange for Mate Ma'a is number 9 Seli Mailangi
  • Interchange for Kiwi Ferns is number 15 Najvada George
    Interchange for Mate Ma'a is number 15 Natasha Penitani
  • Interchange for Kiwi Ferns is number 16 Amelia Pasikala
    Interchange for Mate Ma'a is number 16 Ilaisaane Taufa
  • Interchange for Kiwi Ferns is number 17 Tiana Davison
    Interchange for Mate Ma'a is number 17 Shannon Muru

Reserves

  • Replacement for Mate Ma'a is number 18 Fatafehi Hanisi
  • Reserve for Kiwi Ferns is number 18 Jasmine Fogavini

Match Officials

  • Referee: Wyatt Raymond
  • Touch Judge: Peter Gough
  • Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • Kiwi Ferns centre Mele Hufanga made an incredible 17 tackle breaks against the Jillaroos in Townsville last weekend.
  • New Zealand lock Georgia Hale made the most tackles in last year's World Cup with 176 over four games. 
  • Tonga hooker Shirley Mailangi racked up the most tackles for her side (30) in last year's Test against the Ferns.
Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.