The NRL and NRLW seasons may be over, but there are plenty of Raiders players to cheer on when they play for their respective countries in the Pacific Championships starting this weekend.
Joe Tapine and Danny Levi return to the New Zealand Kiwis squad, while Matt Timoko has been named for the first time after another strong NRL season.
The Kiwis will play Samoa on Saturday October 21 at Eden Park before taking on the Kangaroos a week later at AAMI Park.
Pasami Saulo and Trey Mooney have been named in the New Zealand Kiwis ‘A’ team who will play Tonga ‘A’, including their teammate Peter Hola, in the lead up to the Kiwis vs Samoa Test match at Eden Park on the same day.
Apii Nicholls will once again represent the New Zealand Kiwi Ferns, with Ash Quinlan and Cheyelle Robins-Reti both named for the first time.
Robins-Reti’s selection will see her represent New Zealand for a third time, having represented her country in both Rugby Sevens and 15s in the past.
The Kiwi Ferns will play the Jillaroos on Saturday October 14 in Townsville, before meeting Tonga at Eden Park the following week. They will then finish off their series against the Jillaroos at AAMI Park on Saturday October 28.
Two-time World Cup champion and Raiders NRLW co-captain, Simaima Taufa, returns to the Jillaroos squad for their two matches against New Zealand.
Janelle Williams and Petesa Lio have been named in the Fetu Samoa squad that will take on the Fiji Bulikula on Sunday October 15 in Port Moresby.
After playing in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup for the Cook Islands, Kerehitina Matua is back in the squad off the back of her strong debut NRLW season.
Ua Ravu will return to the PNG Orchids team after impressive performances for her country in recent years, including scoring a try in the recent PM’s XIII match against Australia.
PNG will meet Cook Islands on Sunday October 22 in Port Moresby.
