2015 PNG Pacific Test squad (alphabetical):

Stanton Albert (Penrith Panthers)
Wellington Albert (Penrith Panthers)
Ase Boas (SP PNG Hunters)
Josh Damen (Souths Logan Magpies)
Israel Eliab (SP PNG Hunters)
Adam Korave (SP PNG Hunters)
Nene Macdonald (Sydney Roosters)
Rhyse Martin (Townsville Blackhawks)
Tyson Martin (Mackay Cutters)
Willie Minoga (SP PNG Hunters)
Kato Ottio (SP PNG Hunters)
Luke Page (Canberra Raiders)
Brandy Peter (SP PNG Hunters)
Wartovo Puara (SP PNG Hunters)
Esau Siune (SP PNG Hunters)
Thompson Teteh (SP PNG Hunters)
Ray Thompson (North Queensland Cowboys)
Lawrence Tu’u (SP PNG Hunters)
Noel Zeming (SP PNG Hunters)

2015 Fiji Pacific Test squad:


1 Kevin Naiqama (Wests Tigers)
2 Marika Koroibete (Melbourne Storm)
3 Fabian Goodall (Wentworthville)
4 Brayden Wiliame (Manly Sea Eagles)
5 Eto Nabuli (St George Illawarra Dragons)
6 Darryl Millard (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
7 Ryan Millard (Brisbane Norths)
8 Eloni Vunakece (Wyong Roos)
9 Apisai Koroisau (Penrith Panthers)
10 Daniel Saifiti (Newcastle Knights)
11 Jason Bukuya (Cronulla Sharks)
12 Jacob Saifiti (Newcastle Knights)
13 Korbin Sims (Newcastle Knights)
14 Tyrone Phillips (Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs)
15 Viliame Kikau (North Queensland Cowboys)
16 Tikio Koke (Fiji)
17 Osea Sadrau (Fiji)
18 Timoci Ratulolo Dabea (Fiji)

The most interesting selections for me are the Saifiti twins for Fiji. These are two giant 19 year olds who were playing for a country team last year. They were picked up by the Newcastle Knights for under 20s this year and after a great pre season and 8 games of under 20s they have been picked for Fiji. It doesn't hurt that they are 193cm tall and a skinny 111kg. They have big motors, and when they fill out a bit they will be identical 120kg+ props.

What a shame that neither team has its full potential complement.

PNG are missing UK based Paul Aiton and Menzie Yere, as well as the sensational Penrith star James Segyaro at hooker and the Titans speedster David Meade at full back.

Fiji are missing UK based Ashton Sims from Warrington, and London's Waisale Ligani "Wes" Naiqama, and the Canberra star centre Sisa Waqa, as well as the injured Parramatta star winger/centre Semi Radradra.

I don't know whether the missing NRL based players are injured or being prevented from playing by their club coaches.

Fiji are also missing Tariq Sims and Aku Uate - both named for NSW country.

If Koroibete gets enough service he'll reek havoc. He's been one of the best wingers this season in the NRL.

Segeyaro won't play as he probably wants to play Origin.

Yeh, Segeyaro has apparently said he doesn't want to play for PNG. What happened to the rules that were supposed to be brought in after the World Cup, to allow teams to play for the Islander sides but not harm their Origin / Kangaroos hopes? It needs to happen. You can't blame Segeyaro as if he makes it to Origin its a massive pay day not to mention the ultimate accolade.

Samoa - rugbyleagueweek.com.au/samoa-nam ... ific-test/ Tonga - rugbyleagueweek.com.au/tonga-nam ... ific-test/ On about Segeyaro not choosing to represent PNG, but Josh McGuire has made himself available for Samoa despite being up for Queensland Origin selection. He was 18th man last year in the 3rd test.

Samoa - rugbyleagueweek.com.au/samoa-nam ... ific-test/ Tonga - rugbyleagueweek.com.au/tonga-nam ... ific-test/ On about Segeyaro not choosing to represent PNG, but Josh McGuire has made himself available for Samoa despite being up for Queensland Origin selection. He was 18th man last year in the 3rd test.

Keep an eye out for LUKE PAGE.

I like the Bastille Day idea.

But it might be better if we could get all our internationals to a least coincide and pause all league programmes just one weekend each year to have:

Aus v NZ
Tonga v Samoa
PNG v Fiji
France v England (played in France every time and the most hostile available venue until the French win it)
Wales v Saxons
Ireland v Scotland

In fact you could mix up those last two fixtures each year.

Throw in a more full international programme for emerging nations and stick to the same weekend every year and within 5 years you got a regular international weekend that we could really get some press focus on.

It will be interesting to see how PNG has improved due to the Hunters playing in the Qld cup.

They have always been much much poorer away from home than they are in PNG, but most of these guys either play in the Hunters are have played in the Hunters, and for a season and a half they have played every second week in Brisbane. It will be close to second nature to them now, instead of a huge culture shock, as away trips used to be.
I expect PNG to give a weakened Fiji a hell of a shock, if not beat them.

Is he that massive bloke that's been getting rave reviews in reserve grade for flattening people when running the ball in?

What no Stanley gene?

Good to see the nrl finally waking up to international RL and putting on a full test weekend. They are financially supporting as well as promoting the non kangaroo fixtures. As well as these games there are u20's and women's trans Tasman tests. If the women's nines games was anything to go by that could be the game of the weekend!

Now let's see the rfl take some responsibility for the northern hemisphere!