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Tonga XIII v Fetu Samoa: Late change on bench; Pelite makes switch

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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. 

Team News

Tonga: A late change on the bench sees Seli Mailangi replace Tatiana Finau, with Finau reverting to be the replacement player. 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 make 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.

Samoa: The side will take the field as named during the week, with Jasmine Fogavini the replacement player. 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. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Tonga XIII is number 1 Ana Malupo
    Fullback for Fetu Samoa is number 1 Evania Pelite
  • Winger for Tonga XIII is number 2 Maatuleio Fotu-Moala
    Winger for Fetu Samoa is number 2 Mercedez Taulelei-Siala
  • Centre for Tonga XIII is number 3 Litia Fusi
    Centre for Fetu Samoa is number 3 Lindsay Tui
  • Centre for Tonga XIII is number 4 Kate Fallon
    Centre for Fetu Samoa is number 4 Sarina Masaga
  • Winger for Tonga XIII is number 5 Lavinia Tauhalaliku
    Winger for Fetu Samoa is number 5 Jessica Patea
  • Five-Eighth for Tonga XIII is number 6 Emmanita Paki
    Five-Eighth for Fetu Samoa is number 6 Tavarna Papalii
  • Halfback for Tonga XIII is number 7 Cassey Tohi-Hiku
    Halfback for Fetu Samoa is number 7 Pauline  Piliae-Rasabale

Forwards

  • Prop for Tonga XIII is number 8 Pani Hopoate
    Prop for Fetu Samoa is number 8 Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala
  • Hooker for Tonga XIII is number 9 Jade Fonua
    Hooker for Fetu Samoa is number 9 Destiny Brill
  • Prop for Tonga XIII is number 10 Tegan Dymock
    Prop for Fetu Samoa is number 10 Laikha Clarke
  • 2nd Row for Tonga XIII is number 11 Manilita Takapautolo
    2nd Row for Fetu Samoa is number 11 Monalisa Soliola
  • 2nd Row for Tonga XIII is number 12 Vanessa Foliaki
    2nd Row for Fetu Samoa is number 12 Christian Pio
  • Lock for Tonga XIII is number 13 Natasha Penitani
    Lock for Fetu Samoa is number 13 Sienna Lofipo

Interchange

  • Interchange for Tonga XIII is number 15 Filomina Hanisi
    Interchange for Fetu Samoa is number 14 Jetaya Faifua
  • Interchange for Tonga XIII is number 16 Dannii Perese
    Interchange for Fetu Samoa is number 15 Simone Karpani
  • Interchange for Tonga XIII is number 17 Paea Uilou
    Interchange for Fetu Samoa is number 16 Pihuka Berryman-Duff 
  • Interchange for Tonga XIII is number 19 Seli Mailangi
    Interchange for Fetu Samoa is number 17 Evah McEwen

Reserves

  • Replacement for Tonga XIII is number 14 Tatiana Finau
    Replacement for Fetu Samoa is number 18 Jasmine Fogavini

Match Officials

  • Referee: Todd Smith
  • Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
  • Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • Tonga’s squad includes 15 players with NRLW experience and 12 who played in 2024.
  • Samoa has won both international clashes against Tonga (44-4 in 2003 and 40-0 in 2008).
  • Tonga forwards Vanessa Foliaki and Filomina Hanisi have played State of Origin for New South Wales.
  • Only three members of Samoa’s squad have not appeared in the NRLW premiership.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

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