Mate Ma'a Tonga will kick off their 2023 Pacific Championships campaign when they head to Auckland to meet with a new-look Kiwi Ferns side.
While Tonga didn't qualify for last year's World Cup, they are familiar with the international powerhouse that is the Kiwi Ferns after facing off in last year's mid-year Test match.
The Tongan side went down 50-12 in Auckland last year but the Ferns can expect a more experienced Mate Ma'a side this year with a number of new NRLW stars featuring in the side including former Jillaroo Tiana Penitani.
Meanwhile, the Ferns couldn't get the job done against the Aussies on Saturday and coach Ricky Henry has made several positional changes as his side looks to hit back in front of a passionate home crowd at Auckland.
After losing the World Cup final by 50 points last November, the Ferns will have taken plenty of heart from their 16-10 effort against the Jillaroos but look to have gone back to the drawing board as they prepare for next week's rematch after meeting Tonga on Saturday.
Match: Kiwi Ferns v Mate Ma'a
Week 2 -
home Team
Kiwi Ferns
1st Position
away Team
Tonga XIII
3rd Position
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Team News
Kiwi Ferns: Coach Ricky Henry has made a number of changes to the squad which went down to the Jillaroos 16-10 last week, the most significant of which sees Shanice Parker shift from centre to fullback and Tyla Nathan-Wong join the starting side at five-eighth, after making her Test debut off the bench against Australia. Apii Nicholls and Ashleigh Quinlan drop back to the wider reserves after starting last week, as does Laishon Albert-Jones, whose place in the second row is taken by Annessa Biddle. Biddle made a try-scoring debut on the wing against the Jillaroos, with her positional switch opening the door for Cheyelle Robins-Reti to debut on the flank. Abigail Roache comes into the centres and Tiana Davison is the new face on the bench.
Mate Ma'a Tonga: NSW outside back Tiana Penitani is a surprise selection in the No.7 jersey and will form a halves combination with Eels centre Cassey Tohi Hiku, in what will be both players’ first outing for Tonga. Penitani is joined in the squad by her sister Natasha, who was part of the Tongan side that played New Zealand last year in Auckland. Former Jillaroo Vanessa Foliaki heads up a forward pack which includes Titans prospect Dannii Perese, Parramatta second-rower Amelia Mafi and Sharks middle Tegan Dymock. Maroons representative China Polata will play centre after being used on the wing and at prop during the 2023 NRLW season with the Cowboys.
Match: Kiwi Ferns v Mate Ma'a
Week 2 -
home Team
Kiwi Ferns
away Team
Tonga XIII
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Kiwi Ferns is number 1 Shanice ParkerFullback for Mate Ma'a is number 1 Langi Veainu
-
Winger for Kiwi Ferns is number 2 Cheyelle Robins-RetiWinger for Mate Ma'a is number 2 Lavinia Tauhalaliku
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Centre for Kiwi Ferns is number 3 Mele HufangaCentre for Mate Ma'a is number 3 China Polata
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Centre for Kiwi Ferns is number 4 Abigail RoacheCentre for Mate Ma'a is number 4 Litia Fusi
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Winger for Kiwi Ferns is number 5 Leianne TufugaWinger for Mate Ma'a is number 5 Haylee Hifo
-
Five-Eighth for Kiwi Ferns is number 6 Tyla Nathan-WongFive-Eighth for Mate Ma'a is number 6 Cassey Tohi-Hiku
-
Halfback for Kiwi Ferns is number 7 Raecene McGregorHalfback for Mate Ma'a is number 7 Tiana Penitani
Forwards
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Prop for Kiwi Ferns is number 8 Mya Hill-MoanaProp for Mate Ma'a is number 8 Folau Vaki
-
Hooker for Kiwi Ferns is number 9 Brooke AndersonHooker for Mate Ma'a is number 14 Jade Fonua
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Prop for Kiwi Ferns is number 10 Angelina Teakaraanga-KatoaProp for Mate Ma'a is number 10 Tegan Dymock
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2nd Row for Kiwi Ferns is number 11 Otesa Pule2nd Row for Mate Ma'a is number 11 Amelia Mafi
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2nd Row for Kiwi Ferns is number 12 Annessa Biddle2nd Row for Mate Ma'a is number 12 Vanessa Foliaki
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Lock for Kiwi Ferns is number 13 Georgia HaleLock for Mate Ma'a is number 13 Dannii Perese
Interchange
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Interchange for Kiwi Ferns is number 14 Capri PaekauInterchange for Mate Ma'a is number 9 Seli Mailangi
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Interchange for Kiwi Ferns is number 15 Najvada GeorgeInterchange for Mate Ma'a is number 15 Natasha Penitani
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Interchange for Kiwi Ferns is number 16 Amelia PasikalaInterchange for Mate Ma'a is number 16 Ilaisaane Taufa
-
Interchange for Kiwi Ferns is number 17 Tiana DavisonInterchange for Mate Ma'a is number 17 Shannon Muru
Reserves
-
Replacement for Mate Ma'a is number 18 Fatafehi Hanisi
-
Reserve for Kiwi Ferns is number 18 Jasmine Fogavini
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Peter Gough
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Kiwi Ferns centre Mele Hufanga made an incredible 17 tackle breaks against the Jillaroos in Townsville last weekend.
- New Zealand lock Georgia Hale made the most tackles in last year's World Cup with 176 over four games.
- Tonga hooker Shirley Mailangi racked up the most tackles for her side (30) in last year's Test against the Ferns.
