Sharks stars Ronaldo Mulitalo and Briton Nikora have been named to represent New Zealand, while Royce Hunt has been selected to play for Samoa in the upcoming Pacific Championships.
The trio all represented their nations of origin at the 2022 World Cup and following strong NRL seasons playing for the Sharks have been called up to play in the international series which kicks off on October 14 when the Kangaroos tackle Toa Samoa at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville.
Nikora has already played nine matches for New Zealand since making his international debut in 2019, while Mulitalo, the Sharks leading try scorer in 2023 with 21 four-pointers, has represented the Kiwis on four occasions.
Born in Sydney and of Samoan, Hawaiian and Maori descent, Hunt has previously played five international matches for Toa Samoa.
Australia, New Zealand and Samoa will contest one pool at the Pacific Championships, with PNG, Fiji and The Cook Island in the second pool.
Following the opening match in Townsville, week two of the championships will see the Kiwis play Samoa, the Kangaroos play New Zealand at AAMI Park in Melbourne in week three, with a final between the leading two teams scheduled to be played at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton, NZ on November 4.
See below the New Zealand and Samoan squads for the Pacific Championships.
New Zealand
Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Melbourne Storm), Dylan Brown (Parramatta Eels), Fa'amanu Brown (Newcastle Knights), James Fisher-Harris (Penrith Panthers), Kieran Foran (Gold Coast Titans), Wiremu Greig (Parramatta Eels), Jahrome Hughes (Melbourne Storm), Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins), Keano Kini (Gold Coast Titans), Moses Leota (Penrith Panthers), Danny Levi (Canberra Raiders), Joseph Manu (Sydney Roosters), Ronaldo Mulitalo (Cronulla Sharks), Griffin Neame (North Queensland Cowboys), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Warriors), Briton Nikora (Cronulla Sharks), Isaiah Papali'i (Wests Tigers), Joseph Tapine (Canberra Raiders), Leo Thompson (Newcastle Knights), Matthew Timoko (Canberra Raiders), Naufahu Whyte (Sydney Roosters).
Samoa
Jesse Arthars (Brisbane Broncos), Daejarn Asi (Parramatta Eels), Gordon Chan Kum Tong (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles), Stephen Crichton (Penrith Panthers), Sualauvi Faalogo (Melbourne Storm), Royce Hunt (Cronulla Sharks), Luciana Leilua (North Queensland Cowboys), Connelly Lemuelu (Dolphins), Spencer Leniu (Penrith Panthers), Heilum Luki (North Queensland Cowboys), Grey Marzhew (Newcastle Knights), Justin Matamua (Wests Tigers), Terrell May (Sydney Roosters), Karl Oloapu (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Keenan Palasia (Brisbane Broncos), Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels), Izack Tago (Penrith Panthers), Murray Taulagi (North Queensland Cowboys), Young Tonumaipea (Melbourne Storm), Brian To'o (Penrith Panthers), Stefano Utoikamanu (Wests Tigers).
