2 May 2016

Sport: Pacific teams gather for league showdown

12:05 pm on 2 May 2016

The Pacific nations have announced their rugby league teams, ahead of test matches this Saturday in Sydney.

Gold Coast Titans players David Mead and Nene Macdonald are included in Papua New Guinea's squad along with Wests' second rower Rod Griffin.

Despite the loss of Semi Radradra to Australian duties, Fiji has exciting and experienced outside backs in the form of Sisa Waqa, Akuila Uate and Kevin Naiqama.

Feleti Mateo

Feleti Mateo Photo: Photosport

Tonga welcomes the return of Manly's Feleti Mateo but Warriors powerhouse Solomone Kata will be without centre partner Konrad Hurrell who was made unavailable by the club for disciplinary reasons as was Albert Vete.

Frank Pritchard gets to play alongside his brother Kaysa who will make his debut at hooker for Samoa.

The Samoans will be without Sam Lisone who is also one of a group of six suspended Warriors.

Lisone played in last year's test meeting between Samoa and Tonga.

Samoa's Frank Pritchard is tackled by Sam Tomkins

Frank Pritchard playing for Samoa against England in the 2014 Four Nations. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Fiji take on PNG in the first match of the day before Samoa takes on Tonga to round out the Pacific double header.

The full teams are:

Papua New Guinea - David Mead, Justin Olam, Kato Ottio, Nene Macdonald, Stargroth Amean, Ase Boas, Watson Boas, Luke Page,Wartovo Puara Junior, Henry Noki, Edward Goma, Rod Griffin, Adam Korave, Adex Wera, Brandy Peter, Willie Minoga, Kurt Baptiste, Timothy Lomai.

Fiji - Sisa Waqa, Tyrone Phillips, Junior Roqica, James Storer, Fabian Goodall, Brayden Wiliame, Benjamin Nakubuwai, Maurice Kennedy, Sitiveni Moceidreke, Akuila Uate, Korbin Sims, Daniel Saifiti, Kane Evans, Eloni Vunakece, Kevin Naiqama, Tui Kamikamica, Tuimasi Pio Moceiwaiyevo Seci, Ratu Jowasa Tubailagi Drodrolagi, Etuate Tamanikaitai Qionimacawa, Iliavi Chris Ravu.

Tonga - David Fusitu'a, Mosese Pangai, Solomone Kata, Vai Toutai, Michael Oldfield, Feleti Mateo, Samisoni Langi, Penni Terepo, Sione Katoa, Felise Kaufusi, Sika Manu, Tony Williams, Joe Ofahengaue, Nafe Seluini, David Fifita, Patrick Kaufusi, Siosala Vave, Mickey Paea.

Samoa - Tim Simona, Antonio Winterstein, Kirisome Auva'a, Ricky Leutele, Matthew Wright, Fa'amanu Brown, Pita Godinet, Sam Kasiano, Kaysa Pritchard, Junior Paulo, Leeson Ah Mau, Frank Pritchard, Sauaso Sue, Erin Clark, John Asiata, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Sam Tagataese, Mason Lino.