In an exciting development for rugby league, the New Zealand Kiwis have announced a squad brimming with fresh talent for the upcoming Pacific Championships. Among the eight newcomers are Knights utility Phoenix Crossland and Penrith rookies Casey McLean and Trent Toelau. This squad is set to face off against fierce rivals Australia and Tonga in a highly anticipated series.
Leading the Kiwis will be James Fisher-Harris, who recently celebrated an incredible fourth consecutive NRL grand final victory with Penrith. Fisher-Harris will serve as captain after guiding the team to a remarkable 30-0 win over Australia in last year’s final. Joining him from that successful line-up are several standout players, including Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako, Raiders center Matt Timoko, and Dally M Medal-winning Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes. Additionally, back rowers Isaiah Papali’i and Joseph Tapine are returning, alongside bench players Leo Thompson and Griffin Neame.
Notably, Broncos second rower Jordan Riki, Titans utility Erin Clark, fullback Keano Kini, Storm winger Will Warbrick, and Roosters forward Naufahu Whyte have been involved with the Kiwis over the past two years but are yet to make their Test debuts. Among the debutants, Crossland, who is versatile enough to play as a halfback or hooker, along with McLean and Toelau, made their NRL debuts for the Panthers this season.
New Kiwis coach Stacey Jones expressed enthusiasm about the squad’s potential, especially given the opportunity to play at home. He emphasized the excitement of integrating new players while maintaining a strong core from the previous year’s team. With some established players sidelined due to injuries or unavailability, this presents a unique chance to foster depth and versatility for future competitions.
One notable addition is former Warriors center Peta Hiku, who will join the squad after competing in the Super League grand final with Hull KR. At 31, Hiku has had an impressive season in England, recently helping his team secure a spot in the grand final with a tight victory over Warrington. Hiku last represented the Kiwis during the 2022 Rugby League World Cup semifinal and will be the first player from the Super League selected for New Zealand since Thomas Leuluai in 2017.
The Kiwis will kick off their campaign against the Kangaroos at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch on October 27, marking the first meeting between these two teams in the South Island since 1989. Following that, they will travel to Auckland to take on Tonga at Go Media Stadium on November 2, before the tournament culminates in Sydney at CommBank Stadium for the finals on November 10. The Pacific Championships will commence with the Kangaroos facing Tonga in Brisbane on October 18, setting the stage for an exhilarating competition.