Week three of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup gets underway on Friday night with Fiji taking on Italy. However it won’t be until the Saturday matches that we see our boys in action.
Saturday afternoon brings a mouth-watering clash for top of the table honours, with the Kiwis set to line-up against a full strength Tongan team featuring Andrew Fifita.
If last week’s clash with Samoa is anything to go by, expect plenty of passion in this one as two of the heavy hitters go head-to-head as they try to finish on top.
The Samoans will face Scotland on Saturday in Cairns, with Ricky Leutele retaining his spot on the wing after a strong showing last start & Joseph Paulo set to come off the bench in the number 15 jersey.
The Kangaroos face Lebanon on Saturday night in Sydney, with Valentine Holmes named for his first start at fullback after coming off the bench for a ten minute stint last week that included a try.
Last week’s man-of-the-match Wade Graham has been pushed back to the bench, with James Maloney to partner Cooper Cronk in the halves after missing last week’s action.
Josh Dugan looks set to be rested after being named in the 20 jersey.
The PNG side will be hoping it’s another sell out crowd in Port Moresby on Sunday, and after another solid-performance James Segeyaro has been named for his first start against the USA.
All of the official 21-man line-ups for the third week of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup can be found below. Teams will be reduced to 17 an hour before kick-off on game day.
Fiji v Italy
7.40pm, Friday, November 10
GIO Stadium, Canberra
Fiji Bati | Kevin Naiqama (c); Suliasi Vunivalu, Taane Milne, Akuila Uate, Marcelo Montoya; Jarryd Hayne, Henry Raiwalui; Ashton Sims, Apisai Koroisau, Eloni Vunakece; Viliame Kikau, Brayden Wiliame; Tui Kamikamica, Interchange: Joe Lovodua, Jacob Saifiti, Junior Roqica, Ben Nakubuwai, James Storer, Salesi Faingaa, Sitiveni Moceidreke, Pio Sokobalavua.
Italy Azzurri | James Tedesco; Mason Cerruto, Justin Castellaro, Nathan Milone, Josh Mantellato; Terry Campese, Ryan Ghietti; Paul Vaughan, Joseph Tramontana, Daniel Alvaro; Jayden Walker, Mark Minichiello (c); Nathan Brown. Interchange: Brendan Santi, Shannon Wakeman, Joel Riethmuller, Christophe Calegari, Gavin Hiscox, Richard Lepori, Colin Wilkie, Mirco Bergamasco.
New Zealand v Tonga
5.05pm, Saturday November 11
FMG Stadium, Hamilton
New Zealand Kiwis | Roger Tuivasa-Sheck; Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Dean Whare, Brad Takairangi, Jordan Rapana; Kodi Nikorima; Shaun Johnson; Martin Taupau, Thomas Leuluai, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves; Simon Mannering, Joseph Tapine; Adam Blair (c). Interchange: Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Russell Packer, Isaac Liu, Danny Levi, Kenny Bromwich, Te Maire Martin, Elijah Taylor, Peta Hiku.
Mate Ma’a Tonga | Will Hopoate; Daniel Tupou, Michael Jennings, Konrad Hurrell, David Fusitu’a; Tuimoala Lolohea, Mafoa'aeata Hingano; Andrew Fifita, Sione Katoa, Sio Siua Taukeiaho; Manu Ma'u, Sika Manu (c); Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: Siliva Havili, Sam Moa, Peni Terepo, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Mahe Fonua, Manu Vatuvei, Ukuma Ta’ai, Tevita Pangai jnr.
Samoa v Scotland
4.10pm, Saturday November 11
Barlow Park, Cairns
Toa Samoa | Young Tonumaipea; Ricky Leutele, Tim Lafa, Joey Leilua, Matthew Wright; Jarome Luai, Fa'amanu Brown; Junior Paulo, Jazz Tevaga, Herman Ese'ese; Josh Papalii, Frank Winterstein; Bunty Afoa. Interchange: Pita Godinet, Joseph Paulo, Leeson Ah Mau, Sam Tagataese (c), Frank Pritchard, Suaia Matagi, Ben Roberts, Ken Maumalo.
Scotland Bravehearts | Lewis Tierney; Shane Toal, Ben Hellewell, Lachlan Stein, Matthew Russell; Danny Addy, Oscar Thomas; Luke Douglas (c), Callum Phillips, Ben Kavanagh; Frankie Mariano, Dale Ferguson; James Bell. Interchange: Kane Bentley, Brandan Wilkinson, Andrew Bentley, Jarred Anderson, Alex Walker, Will Oaks, David Scott, Keiran Moran.
Australia v Lebanon
8.05pm, Saturday, November 11
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Australia Kangaroos | Valentine Holmes; Dane Gagai, Will Chambers, Cameron Munster, Josh Mansour; James Maloney, Cooper Cronk; Aaron Woods, Cameron Smith (c), David Klemmer; Boyd Cordner, Matt Gillett; Felise Kaufusi. Interchange: Ben Hunt, Jordan McLean, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Wade Graham, Josh McGuire, Michael Morgan, Josh Dugan, Billy Slater.
Lebanon Cedars | Anthony Layoun; Travis Robinson, James Elias Bilal Maarbani, Adam Doueihi, Abbas Miski; Mitchell Moses, Robbie Farah (c); Tim Mannah, Michael Lichaa, Alex Twal; Chris Saab, Ahmad Ellaz; Nick Kassis. Interchange: Mitchell Mamary, Raymond Moujalli, Jamie Clark, Andrew Kazzi, Jason Wehbe, Danny Barakat, Elias Sukkar, Daniel Abou-Sleiman.
Papua New Guinea v United States
3.05pm, Sunday, November 12
Oil Search National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Papua New Guinea Kumuls | David Mead (c); Justin Olam, Kato Ottio, Nene Macdonald, Garry Lo; Lachlan Lam, Watson Boas; Moses Meninga, James Segeyaro, Luke Page; Rhyse Martin, Willie Minoga; Paul Aiton. Interchange: Kurt Baptiste, Stargroth Amean, Nixon Putt, Thompson Tetehe, Rod Griffin, Wartovo Puara, Enock Maki, Ase Boas.
United States Hawks | Corey Makelim; Ryan Burroughs, Junior Vaivai, Jonathan Alley, Bureta Faraimo; Kristian Freed, Tui Samoa; Eddy Pettybourne, David Marando, Mark Offerdahl (c); Danny Howard, Joe Eichner; Nicholas Newlin. Interchange: Sam Tochterman-Talbott, Fotukava Malu, Martwain Johnston, Gabriel Farley, Steve Howard, Andrew Kneisley, David Ulch, Josh Rice.
Wales v Ireland
3.35pm, Sunday, November 12
nib Stadium, Perth
Wales Dragons | Elliot Kear; Regan Grace, Michael Channing, Dalton Grant, Rhys Williams; Courtney Davies, Danny Ansell; Craig Kopczak (c), Matty Fozard, Philip Joseph; Rhodri Lloyd, Joe Burke; Morgan Knowles. Interchange: Steve Parry, Gavin Bennion, Ben Evans, Ben Morris, Andrew Gay, Matthew Barron, Christiaan Roets, Matt Seamark.
Ireland Wolfhounds | Scott Grix; Shannon McDonnell, Ed Chamberlain, Api Pewhairangi, Liam Kay; Joe Keyes, Liam Finn (c); Anthony Mullaly, Michael McIllorum, Kyle Amor; Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Will Hope; Brad Singleton. Interchange: George King, Matty Hadden, Joe Philbin, Oliver Roberts, James Hasson, Tyrone McCarthy, Casey Dunne, Jack Higginson.
England v France
6.05pm, Sunday, November 12
nib Stadium, Perth
England Lions | Gareth Widdop; Stefan Ratchford, Mark Percival, John Bateman, Jermaine McGillvary; Kevin Brown, Luke Gale; Chris Hill, James Roby/Josh Hodgson, James Graham; Ben Currie, Mike McMeekan; Sean O'Loughlin (c). Interchange: Alex Walmsley, Thomas Burgess, Scott Taylor, George Williams, Ryan Hall, Elliott Whitehead, Chris Heighington, Kallum Watkins.
France Chanticleers | Mark Kheirallah; Fouad Yaha, Bastien Ader, Damien Cardace, Ilias Bergal; Theo Fages (c), Lucas Albert; Antoni Maria, John Boudebza, Julian Bousquet; Benjamin Garcia, Benjamin Jullien; Jason Baitieri. Interchange: Romain Navarrete, Thibault Margalet, Maxime Herold, Remy Marginet, Olivier Arnaud, Mickael Rouch, Nabil Djalout, Lambert Belmas.
