Australia v New Zealand, City v Country, Pacific Tests: teams, match times

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Fifita replaces Woods0:27

Rugby League: Andrew Fifita has replaced Aaron Woods in the Australian team after he withdrew due to injury.

• April 30th 2017
• 4 days ago
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Cameron Smith will lead the Kangaroos against the Kiwis.

THE NRL is put on pause this week for the representative round, with the trans-Tasman Test between the Kangaroos and the Kiwis headlining a massive weekend of rugby league.

We’ve got you covered with every team list and all the match details here:

FRIDAY

JUNIOR KANGAROOS V JUNIOR KIWIS

3.15pm at GIO Stadium, Canberra

JUNIOR KANGAROOS: 1. Corey Allan (Brisbane Broncos) 2. Tyronne Roberts-Davis (Gold Coast Titans) 3. Enari Tuala (North Queensland Cowboys) 4. Jesse Ramien (Cronulla Sharks) 5. Curtis Scott (Melbourne Storm) 6. Jai Field (St George Illawarra Dragons) 7. Brodie Croft (captain, Melbourne Storm) 8. Stefano Hala (Penrith Panthers) 9. Reece Robson (St George Illawarra Dragons) 10. Blake Lawrie (St George Illawarra Dragons) 11. Jaydn Su’A (Brisbane Broncos) 12. Sam Stone (Newcastle Knights) 13. Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs) 14. Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters) 15. Jack Murchie (Canberra Raiders) 16. Ray Stone (Parramatta Eels) 17. Emre Guler (Canberra Raiders) 18. Gehamat Shibasaki (Brisbane Broncos)

* Cooper Cronk’s potential Melbourne replacement Brodie Croft will make his Junior Kangaroos debut against New Zealand.

Croft has been named as captain of the under-20s Australian side to take on the Junior Kiwis in Canberra and will play at halfback.

JUNIOR KIWIS (squad): Briton Nikora (Cronulla Sharks), Chanel Harris-Tavita (New Zealand Warriors), Dane Aukafolau (Paramatta Eels), Emry Pere (North Queensland Cowboys), Erin Clark (New Zealand Warriors), Fabien Puletua-Kiri (Canberra Raiders), Greg Leleisiuao (Paramatta Eels), Isaiah Papali’I (New Zealand Warriors), Jarome Luai (Penrith Panthers), Kaleb Fuimaono (North Queensland Cowboys) Manase Fainu (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Moeaki Fotuaika (Gold Coast Titans), Patrick Herbert (St George Illawarra), Reimis Smith (Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs) Sione Katoa (Cronulla Sharks), Siosifa Talakai (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Sitili Tupouniua (Sydney Roosters), Steven Marsters (debut) (St George Illawarra).

* Penrith’s Sione Katoa, South Sydney’s Siosifa Talakai and the Warriors’ Erin Clark headline the New Zealand under-20 squad named on Sunday.

Brodie Croft will make his Junior Kangaroos debut.Source:Getty Images

JILLAROOS V KIWI FERNS

5.35pm at GIO Stadium, Canberra TV: Channel 9 10.10pm delayed

JILLAROOS: 1. Sam Bremner 2. Karina Brown 3. Corban McGregor 4. Caitlin Moran 5. Chelsea Baker 6. Zahara Temara 7. Simone Smith 8. Ruan Sims 9. Brittany Breayley 10. Heather Ballinger 11. Renae Kunst 12. Annette Brander 13. Simaima Taufu 14. Ali Brigginshaw 15. Rebecca Young 16. Elliana Walton 17. Amelia Kuk 18. Maddie Studdon 19. Isabelle Kelly 20. Kody House

* The Jillaroos opted for a rookie halves combination with uncapped youngsters Zahara Temara and Simone Smith named to start. Five-eighth Allana Ferguson has been ruled out with injury and halfback Maddie Studdon has been named on an extended bench.

KIWI FERNS (squad): Alexandra Cook, Annetta Nuuausala, Atawhai Tupaea, Bunty Kuruwaka-Crowe, Corrina Whiley, Crystal Tamarua, Georgia Hale, Hilda Peters, Krystal Rota, Langi Veainu, Laura Mariu, Lilieta Maumau, Madison Bartlett, Ngatokotoru Arakua, Nora Maaka, Sarina Fiso, Teuila Fotu-Moala, Va’anessa Molia-Fraser.

* Six debutants — Alexandra Cook, Bunty Kuruwaka-Crowe, Corrina Whiley, Chrystal Tamarua, Madison Bartlett and Ngatokotoru Arakua — have been named by coach Tony Benson. The side will be skippered by Sarina Fiso.

Sam Bremner has been named fullback for the Jillaroos. Picture: Adam HeadSource:News Corp Australia

AUSTRALIA V NEW ZEALAND

8.05pm at GIO Stadium, Canberra TV: Channel 9 live

AUSTRALIA: 1. Darius Boyd 2. Blake Ferguson 3. Will Chambers 4. Josh Dugan 5. Valentine Holmes 6. Johnathan Thurston 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Cameron Smith 10. David Klemmer 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Matt Gillett 13. Trent Merrin 14. Michael Morgan 15. Tyson Frizell 16. Jake Trbojevic 17. Sam Thaiday 18. Jordan McLean 19. James Maloney 20. Justin O’Neill

* Andrew Fifita’s return from Test exile is complete, with the Cronulla giant promoted to Australia’s starting line-up on Sunday following Shannon Boyd’s withdrawal from the Anzac Test.

Fifita had only been named in the squad earlier on Sunday to replace the injured Aaron Woods, but Fifita will now start Friday’s Anzac Test against New Zealand in Canberra after Boyd was ruled out with a leg injury.

Manly’s Jake Trbojevic has been called onto the bench, and Melbourne prop Jordan McLean is the new 18th man.

Johnathan Thurston (calf) says he’s on track to play. But Thurston said if he feels any of the soreness which led to him withdrawing from North Queensland’s match against Parramatta last week, he won’t play in the Anzac Test at GIO Stadium.

If he’s ruled out 19th man James Maloney will start at five-eighth.

NEW ZEALAND (squad): Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Jordan Kahu, Dean Whare, Jordan Rapana, Kieran Foran, Shaun Johnson, Jesse Bromwich (capt), Issac Luke, Russell Packer, Kevin Proctor, Simon Mannering, Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: Adam Blair, Martin Taupau, Kenny Bromwich, Kodi Nikorima. 18th man: Elijah Taylor

* Born-again prop Russell Packer has bolted into the Kiwis starting line-up to face Australia in the Anzac Test in Canberra.

A surprise inclusion in the squad ahead of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Packer has beaten out experienced Kiwis hardmen Adam Blair and Martin Taupau for a starting berth.

The latter pair are both on the interchange bench.

An otherwise predictable team features the all-Warriors spine of Issac Luke, Shaun Johnson, Kieran Foran and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

Cameron Smith will lead the Kangaroos against the Kiwis.Source:AAP

SATURDAY

COOK ISLANDS V PAPUA NEW GUINEA

3.15pm at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney TV: Fox Sports live

COOK ISLANDS: Alex Glenn (Brisbane Broncos), Makahesi Makatoa (Canberra Raiders), Reubenn Rennie (Mounties), Isaac John (Mounties), Geoff Daniela (St Marys), Sam Mataora (Newcastle Knights), Marata Niukore (Parramatta Eels), Moses Noovao-McGreal (Sunshine Coast), Reuben Porter (Sydney Roosters), Kobe Tararo (Titans), Jonathon Ford (Toulouse Olympique), David Munro (Townsville Blackhawks), Carne Doyle-Manga (Tweed Heads), Ezra Howe Jnr (Tweed Heads), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Warriors), Uiti Baker (West Newcastle), Esan Marsters (Wests Tigers), Aaron Teroi (Newcastle Thunder, UK)

* Broncos second-rower Alex Glenn is the big name in the Cook Islands squad, with Warriors debutant Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Knights prop Sam Mataora also included

PNG: 1. Stargroth Amean (PNG Hunters), 2. Justin Olam (Melbourne Storm), 3. Thompson Teteh (Redcliffe Dolphins), 4. Adex Were (PNG Hunters), 5. Richard Pandia (Ipswich Jets) 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. Israel Eliab (PNG Hunters), 16. Wellington Albert (PNG Hunters), 17. Nixon Put (PNG Hunters).

* Dragons back Nene McDonald is out with injury, with Adex Were moving to the centres and Richard Pandia promoted to the wing. Israel Eliab gets a call-up to the bench.

Alex Glenn has been named in the Cook Islands squad. Picture: Darren EnglandSource:News Corp Australia

TONGA V FIJI

5.30pm at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney TV: Fox Sports live

MATE MA’ TONGA: 1. Will Hopoate, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Moses Suli, 4. Brenko Lee, 5. Manu Vatuvei, 6. Tuimoala Lolohea, 7. Ata Hingano, 8. Leilani Latu, 9. Siliva Havili, 10. Addin Fonua-Blake, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Tony Williams, 13. Joe Ofahengaue, 14. Sione Katoa, 15. Patrick Kaufusi, 16. Leivaha Pulu, 17. Siosaia Vave, 18. Samisoni Langi, 19. Sione Vea.

* Tonga were forced to make a number of changes to their squad, as player eligibility, City-Country and Australian selection took hold. Wests Tigers teenager Moses Suli replaces Manly winger Jorge Taufua, while Manu Vatuvei comes in for Michael Jennings and Konrad Hurrell, who were both ruled out.

Leilani Latu will start in place of Kangaroos-bound forward Andrew Fifita, while captain Sika Manu is now unavailable and unable to travel from the English Super League.

Former Australian and NSW forward Tony Williams also receives a call-up

FIJI (squad): Waqa Blake, Kane Evans, Tui Kamikamica, Viliame Kikau, Apisai Koroisau, Taane Milne, Marcelo Montoya, Sitiveni Moceidreke, Kevin Naiqama, Ben Nakubuwai, Tyrone Phillips, Henry Raiwalui, Daniel Saifiti, Jacob Saifiti, Korbin Sims, James Storer, Eloni Vunakece, Suliasi Vunivalu.

* Melbourne winger Suliasi Vunivalu will make his international debut for Fiji in Saturday’s Pacific Test against Tonga, however his representative future remains unclear.

Under rugby league’s dual-eligibility rules, players can move between tier-one and tier-two nations regularly if they are not selected for Australia, New Zealand or England.

Vunivalu’s eligibility at the end-of-year World Cup has been a talking point for months, with the 2016 leading try-scorer remaining non-committal on which country he wishes to represent.

He was born in Fiji, but moved to New Zealand as a teenager and is also eligible for Australia.

Suliasi Vunivalu will make his international debut for Fiji.Source:AAP

ENGLAND V SAMOA

7.40pm at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney TV: Fox Sports live

ENGLAND (squad): 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.

* Wayne Bennett’s selections have not been without controversy. The England coach copped plenty of criticism for selecting Titans backrower Chris McQueen and Sharks forward Chris Heighington ahead of Wigan’s Liam Farrell.

TOA SAMOA: Bunty Afoa, Leeson Ah Mau, John Asiata, Fa’amanu Brown, Herman Ese’ese, Sam Kasiano, Tim Lafai, Joseph Leilua, Josh McGuire, Peter Mata’utia, Sione Mata’utia, Suaia Matagi, Ken Maumalo, Anthony Milford, Junior Paulo, Kaysa Pritchard, Sauaso Sue, Antonio Winterstein.

* State of Origin hopefuls Joey Leilua, Josh McGuire, Anthony Milford and Junior Paulo highlight a strong Samoa squad.

Joey Leilua will turn out for Samoa.Source:Getty Images

SUNDAY

CITY V COUNTRY

4pm at Glen Willow Regional Sports Complex, Mudgee TV: Channel 9 live

CITY: 1. Matt Moylan 2. Clinton Gutherson 3. Nathan Ross 4. Tyrone Peachey 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Bryce Cartwright 7. Chad Townsend 8. James Tamou 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Gallen 11. Curtis Sironen 12. David Gower 13. Hame Sele 14. Joseph Paulo 15. Nathan Cleary

16. Pauli Pauli 17. Jake Marketo.

* Blues triumvirate Matt Moylan, Paul Gallen and James Tamou headline the City side with Brad Fittler managing to scrape together a relativley impressive outfit. Exciting Melbourne flyer Josh Addo-Carr, Dragons rake Cam McInnes, Eels forward David Gower, Dragons duo Hame Sele and Jake Marketo, Knights forward Pauli Pauli and Panthers youngster Nathan Cleary will all be making their representative debuts.

COUNTRY: 1. Michael Gordon, 2. Anthony Don, 3. Mitch Aubusson (c) 4. Cheyse Blair, 5. Brian Kelly, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Tyrone Roberts, 8. Dale Finucane, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Tariq Sims, 12. Kyle Turner, 13. Jack De Belin, 14. Connor Watson, 15. Matt Prior, 16. Adam Elliott, 17. Daniel Alvaro 18. Joe Stimson

* Storm forward Joe Stimson has been called up as 18th man. Earlier, the withdrawal of Dragons centre Euan Aitken through injury forced a reshuffle. Captain Mitch Aubusson moves to the centres, with Tariq Sims promoted to start in the second-row .

City’s Paul Gallen and Country’s Damien Cook. Picture: Mark EvansSource:News Corp Australia

Originally published as Updated teams: Kiwi line-up confirmed