Four Wests Tigers players will feature in Tonga’s international clash against the Cook Islands this Saturday night at Campbelltown Sports Stadium as both sides look to become the final Pacific entrant to the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
Chance Peni and Esan Marsters will both make their international debuts for Cook Islands, while Delouise Hoeter (also making his debut) and Joel Luani will feature for Tonga.
At 19 years and two months, Marsters will become one of the youngest Wests Tigers players to make his international debut, having scored 14 tries in 21 Holden Cup games this year.
The match, which kicks off at 7:30pm, will be streamed live via www.nrl.com.
Tonga and Cook Islands have met twice in history — most recently at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup — with Tonga winning that fixture 22-16 in Leigh.
Mata Ma’a’s last international fixture was earlier this year against Samoa where they went down 18-16 on the Gold Coast, while Cook Islands’ last fixture was in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup against Wales, where they won 28-24 in Neath.
Prior to Saturday's international fixture, Wests Tigers Brydens Lawyers Academy side (comprised of U/16 & U/17 players) will take on St. Helens Academy side.
Match Details
Date — Saturday, October 17
Time — 7:30pm AEST (Gates open 3:45pm)
Venue — Campbelltown Sports Stadium
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Confirmed Squads
Tonga |
|
Cook Islands |
Solomone Kata |
1 |
Jordan Rapana |
Jorge Taufua |
2 |
Drury Low |
Mahe Fonua |
3 |
Anthony Gelling |
Moses Pangai |
4 |
Chance Peni |
Delouise Hoeter |
5 |
Charne Nicoll-Klokstad |
Pat Politoni |
6 |
Jono Ford |
Daniel Foster |
7 |
Wallace Tangitti |
Albert Vete |
8 |
Uiti Baker |
Joel Luani |
9 |
Aaron Teroi |
Peni Terepo |
10 |
Sam Mataora |
Sika Manu |
11 |
Esan Marsters |
Manu Ma’u |
12 |
Makahesi Makatoa |
Joe Ofahengaue |
13 |
Francis Molo |
Nafe Seluine |
14 |
Carne Doyle-Manga |
Ukuma Taai |
15 |
Vincent Rennie |
Ben Murdoch-Masila |
16 |
Vinny Ngaro |
Leilani Latu |
17 |
Fred Pakatoa |
David Fifita |
18 |
Rueben Rennie |
Kristian Woolf |
Coach |
Alex Chan |
Recent Results
Tonga
2015 Pacific Test — Samoa 18 def. Tonga 16
2013 World Cup — Tonga 16 def. Italy 0
2013 World Cup — Tonga 22 def. Cook Islands 16
2013 World Cup — Scotland 26 def. Tonga 24
Cook Islands
2013 World Cup — Cook Islands 28 def. Wales 24
2013 World Cup — Tonga 22 def. Cook Islands 16
2013 World Cup — USA 32 def. Cook Islands 20
