Cook Islands and Tonga have named their squads for Saturday’s women’s senior international match.

The game takes place at St Mary’s Stadium in Sydney, kick off 4pm, and marks the conclusion to a full day of activity between the two nations.

The last meeting between the pair was the 2025 Pacific Bowl, with Cooks Islands taking the spoils 42-24, which also secure them, and the country as a whole, a first elite sporting competition title.

Head Coach Shar Atai, Cook Islands first event female head coach, has named nine potential debutants in the 19-player squad, with Roimata Amosa-Tiro, Maeva Atatoa-Carr,  Ava Glassie,  Matoisha Kalepo, Tiare-Anne Leauga,  Akeliana-Faith Leauga, Ashley Marsters,  Anastasia Sekene  and Maruia Willie all hoping to be in the final 17.

“Every international test is a chance to grow and our match against Tonga is another important step in strengthening our squad for the future” commented Atai.

Opposite number Meg Ward is also poised to hand out upto six debuts with Ace Pollock, Benji Tova, Eta Sikahele, Leilani Kavapulu, Namoe Gesa and Vasaliva Feleti named in the 19.

“We carry the pride, history, and spirit of Tonga every time we step on the field” added Ward. “We may not be at the World Cup yet, but we’re here to show the world we’re ready for the next one. We respect the Cook Islands, but we’re here to compete, to believe, and to leave everything on the field for Tonga".

Cook Islands (squad): Porche JOHN (Brisbane Tigers), Memory PAITAI (Burleigh Bears), Matoisha KALEPO, Tiare-Anne LEAUGA (Canterbury Bulldogs), Pearl TUITAMA (Ipswich Jets), Jodeci JOSEPH, Kere MATUA (Manurewa Marlins), Anastasia Sekene (New Zealand Warriors), Ava GLASSIE (Newcastle Knights), Roimata AMOSA-TIRO (North Devils), Ashley Marsters, Lydia Turua-Quedley  (North Queensland Cowboys), Kiana Takairangi (Paramatta Eels), Maeva Esther ATATOA CARR, Paulina MORRIS-PONGA, Maruia Willie (Richmond Rovers), Tyler BIRCH, April NGATUPUNA, Keira RANGI (South Logan Magpies)

Tonga (squad): Ruby FIFITA (Burleigh Bears), Simina LOKOTUI, Paea UILOU, Kalosipani HOPOATE (Canterbury Bulldogs), Manilita TAKAPAUTOLO, China POLATA (Cronulla Sharks), Lia MAFI (Dragons), Eta Fusi SIKAHELE (Gold Coast Titants), Leilani KAVAPALU (Mounties), Emma PAKI (New Zealand Warriors), Fane FINAU (Newcastle Knights), Benji TOVA (North Devils), Martha MATAELE (Paramatta Eels), Langi VEAINU (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Kaylani Cecilia TAVITA (St George-Illawara Dragons), Ace POLLOCK (Sunshine Coast Falcons), Aliyah NASIO (Sydney Roosters), Vasaliva FELETI, Namoe GESA (Wests Tigers)