A chance to gain direct entry into the Pacific Championships finals was stolen away from Tonga by Samoa, but the return of Jason Taumalolo could be the boost the side needs to conjure a miracle.
Taumalolo has been sidelined due to a knee issue for Tonga, but has been cleared by team medicos to return to the action in a grudge match against New Zealand on Sunday.
The Cowboys gun's return comes at an important time for the Tongans, given Stefano Utoikamanu will be absent in the middle as he adheres to the HIA stand down protocols.
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Paul Alamoti has also been called into the starting line-up after spending the past two matches as the 18th man, with Robert Toia ruled out of the match due to a foot injury.
Tonga will need to pull off a miracle to make the final, with the Kiwis needing to avoid a defeat of over 17 points to stay in the competition.
Meanwhile, the Jillaroos are set to face their biggest rivals on the international stage, the Kiwi Ferns, in a thriller at Eden Park.
A dominant 60-0 win over Fetu Samoa ignited the tournament for the Australians, but coach Jess Skinner did not shy away from the fact the team made several simple errors.
"We've made a great start to the tournament with the win last Sunday, but there is still a lot we can do to improve on that performance and New Zealand brings a different challenge for us," she said.
"These are always very tough and physical contests, and it will be up to us to match the intensity and physicality that we know the Kiwi Ferns will bring."
Watch the 2025 Pacific Championships live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Saturday
PNG Orchids v Tonga XIII at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby at 2pm
PNG: 1. Fleur Ginn 2. Ruth Gende 3. Tia Molo 4. Relna Wuruki-Hosea 5. Naomi Kelly 6. India Seeto 7. Caitlin Tanner 8. Elsie Albert 9. Emily Veivers 10. Gloria Kaupa 11. Sareka Mooka 12. Mya Muller 13. Jessikah Reeves 14. Therese Aiton 15. Emmogen Taumafai 16. Marie Biyama 17. Belinda Gwasamun 18. Mala Mark 19. Delailah Ahose 20. Leila Kerowa
Tonga: 1. Ana Malupo 2. Moana Courtenay 3. Fane Finau 4. Martha Mataele 5. Simina Lokotui 6. Malia Tuifua 7. Emmanita Paki 8. Natasha Penitani 9. Seli Mailangi 10. Kalosipani Hopoate 16. Tatiana Finau 13. Amelia Huakau 15. Jade Fonua 17. Ruby Fifita 18. Pauline Suli-Ruka 20. Paea Uilou 21. Vanessa Foliaki
PNG Kumuls v Fiji Bati at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby at 4pm
PNG: 1. Morea Morea 2. Dudley Dotoi 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Nene Macdonald 5. Alex Johnston 6. Gairo Voro 7. Lachlan Lam 8. Epel Kapinias 9. Edwin Ipape 10. Valentine Richard 11. Rhyse Martin 12. Nixon Putt 13. Jack de Belin 14. Finley Glare 15. Robert Mathias 16. Cooper Bai 17. Sylvester Namo 18. Liam Horne 19. Robert Derby 20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke
Fiji: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Jope Rauqe 4. Semi Valemei 5. Ronald Philitoga 6. Kurt Donoghoe 7. Brandon Wakeham 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Penioni Tagituimua 10. Michael Waqa 11. Taane Milne 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Caleb Navale 14. Terrell Kalo Kalo 15. Solomone Saukuru 16. Ben Nakubuwai 17. Kylan Mafoa 18. Akuila Qoro 19. Keresi Maya 20. Gabriel Tunimakubu
Sunday
Kiwi Ferns v Australian Jillaroos at Eden Park, Auckland at 1.35pm
Ferns: 1. Apii Nicholls 2. Shanice Parker 3. Abigail Roaches 4. Mele Hufanga 5. Leianne Tufuga 6. Patricia Maliepo 7. Raecene McGregor 8. Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa 9. Brooke Anderson 10. Tiana Davison 11. Annessa Biddle 12. Otesa Pule 13. Georgia Hale 14. Ashleigh Quinlan 15. Shaniece Monschau 16. Aleixa Tauaneai 17. Ivana Lauitiiti 18. Tyla King 19. Shakira Baker 20. Tysha Ikenasio 21. Trinity Tauaneai
Jillaroos: 1. Tamika Upton 2. Julia Robinson 3. Isabelle Kelly 4. Tiana Penitani Gray 5. Jessica Sergis 6. Ali Brigginshaw 7. Jesse Southwell 8. Ellie Johnston 9. Keeley Davis 10. Jessika Elliston 11. Kezie Apps 12. Yasmin Clydsdale 13. Olivia Kernick 14. Quincy Dodd 15. Keilee Joseph 16. Rima Butler 17. Sarah Togatuki 18. Jakiya Whitfeld 19. Abbi Church 20. Jocelyn Kelleher 21. Makenzie Weale
Kiwis v Tonga XIII at Eden Park, Auckland at 4.05pm
Kiwis: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Casey McLean 5. Sebastian Kris 6. Dylan Brown 7. Kieran Foran 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Moses Leota 11. Briton Nikora 12. Isaiah Papali'i 13. Joseph Tapine 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Erin Clark 17. Xavier Willison 18. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 19. Scott Sorensen 20. Keano Kini 21. Zach Dockar-Clay
Tonga: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Sione Katoa 6. Isaiah Iongo 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Siliva Havili 10, Felise Kaufusi 11. Elisea Katoa 12. Siua Wong 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Soni Luke 15. Leka Halasima 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Moeaki Fotuaika 18. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 19. Will Penisini
A chance to gain direct entry into the Pacific Championships finals was stolen away from Tonga by Samoa, but the return of Jason Taumalolo could be the boost the side needs to conjure a miracle.
Taumalolo has been sidelined due to a knee issue for Tonga, but has been cleared by team medicos to return to the action in a grudge match against New Zealand on Sunday.
The Cowboys gun's return comes at an important time for the Tongans, given Stefano Utoikamanu will be absent in the middle as he adheres to the HIA stand down protocols.
READ MORE: Turbo makes his move after eyeing the exit
READ MORE: Golf pro who became popular influencer dies
READ MORE: Ex-coach can see why Piastri's slide 'might look suspicious'
Paul Alamoti has also been called into the starting line-up after spending the past two matches as the 18th man, with Robert Toia ruled out of the match due to a foot injury.
Tonga will need to pull off a miracle to make the final, with the Kiwis needing to avoid a defeat of over 17 points to stay in the competition.
Meanwhile, the Jillaroos are set to face their biggest rivals on the international stage, the Kiwi Ferns, in a thriller at Eden Park.
A dominant 60-0 win over Fetu Samoa ignited the tournament for the Australians, but coach Jess Skinner did not shy away from the fact the team made several simple errors.
"We've made a great start to the tournament with the win last Sunday, but there is still a lot we can do to improve on that performance and New Zealand brings a different challenge for us," she said.
"These are always very tough and physical contests, and it will be up to us to match the intensity and physicality that we know the Kiwi Ferns will bring."
Watch the 2025 Pacific Championships live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Saturday
PNG Orchids v Tonga XIII at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby at 2pm
PNG: 1. Fleur Ginn 2. Ruth Gende 3. Tia Molo 4. Relna Wuruki-Hosea 5. Naomi Kelly 6. India Seeto 7. Caitlin Tanner 8. Elsie Albert 9. Emily Veivers 10. Gloria Kaupa 11. Sareka Mooka 12. Mya Muller 13. Jessikah Reeves 14. Therese Aiton 15. Emmogen Taumafai 16. Marie Biyama 17. Belinda Gwasamun 18. Mala Mark 19. Delailah Ahose 20. Leila Kerowa
Tonga: 1. Ana Malupo 2. Moana Courtenay 3. Fane Finau 4. Martha Mataele 5. Simina Lokotui 6. Malia Tuifua 7. Emmanita Paki 8. Natasha Penitani 9. Seli Mailangi 10. Kalosipani Hopoate 16. Tatiana Finau 13. Amelia Huakau 15. Jade Fonua 17. Ruby Fifita 18. Pauline Suli-Ruka 20. Paea Uilou 21. Vanessa Foliaki
PNG Kumuls v Fiji Bati at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby at 4pm
PNG: 1. Morea Morea 2. Dudley Dotoi 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Nene Macdonald 5. Alex Johnston 6. Gairo Voro 7. Lachlan Lam 8. Epel Kapinias 9. Edwin Ipape 10. Valentine Richard 11. Rhyse Martin 12. Nixon Putt 13. Jack de Belin 14. Finley Glare 15. Robert Mathias 16. Cooper Bai 17. Sylvester Namo 18. Liam Horne 19. Robert Derby 20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke
Fiji: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Jope Rauqe 4. Semi Valemei 5. Ronald Philitoga 6. Kurt Donoghoe 7. Brandon Wakeham 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Penioni Tagituimua 10. Michael Waqa 11. Taane Milne 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Caleb Navale 14. Terrell Kalo Kalo 15. Solomone Saukuru 16. Ben Nakubuwai 17. Kylan Mafoa 18. Akuila Qoro 19. Keresi Maya 20. Gabriel Tunimakubu
Sunday
Kiwi Ferns v Australian Jillaroos at Eden Park, Auckland at 1.35pm
Ferns: 1. Apii Nicholls 2. Shanice Parker 3. Abigail Roaches 4. Mele Hufanga 5. Leianne Tufuga 6. Patricia Maliepo 7. Raecene McGregor 8. Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa 9. Brooke Anderson 10. Tiana Davison 11. Annessa Biddle 12. Otesa Pule 13. Georgia Hale 14. Ashleigh Quinlan 15. Shaniece Monschau 16. Aleixa Tauaneai 17. Ivana Lauitiiti 18. Tyla King 19. Shakira Baker 20. Tysha Ikenasio 21. Trinity Tauaneai
Jillaroos: 1. Tamika Upton 2. Julia Robinson 3. Isabelle Kelly 4. Tiana Penitani Gray 5. Jessica Sergis 6. Ali Brigginshaw 7. Jesse Southwell 8. Ellie Johnston 9. Keeley Davis 10. Jessika Elliston 11. Kezie Apps 12. Yasmin Clydsdale 13. Olivia Kernick 14. Quincy Dodd 15. Keilee Joseph 16. Rima Butler 17. Sarah Togatuki 18. Jakiya Whitfeld 19. Abbi Church 20. Jocelyn Kelleher 21. Makenzie Weale
Kiwis v Tonga XIII at Eden Park, Auckland at 4.05pm
Kiwis: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Casey McLean 5. Sebastian Kris 6. Dylan Brown 7. Kieran Foran 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Moses Leota 11. Briton Nikora 12. Isaiah Papali'i 13. Joseph Tapine 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Erin Clark 17. Xavier Willison 18. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 19. Scott Sorensen 20. Keano Kini 21. Zach Dockar-Clay
Tonga: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Sione Katoa 6. Isaiah Iongo 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Siliva Havili 10, Felise Kaufusi 11. Elisea Katoa 12. Siua Wong 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Soni Luke 15. Leka Halasima 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Moeaki Fotuaika 18. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 19. Will Penisini
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