Samoa vs Cook Islands
Samoa and the Cook Islands have announced their squads to play a SP Brewery Pacific Cup qualifying match in Cairns next Saturday, October 17.
A crowd up to 7,000 is expected to bring Barlow Park alive as the two Pacific nations face off for a spot in the RLIF?s newest international tournament alongside Fiji, Tonga and host nation Papua New Guinea.
Samoa coach Willie Poching has named a powerful squad featuring UK stars Kylie Leuluai, Francis Meli and Tony Puletua as well as youthful NRL talent in Masada Iosefa, Misi Taulapapa and Joseph Paulo.
Cook Islands coach David Fairleigh has called on young Broncos utility Alex Glenn to lead his new-look squad.
The SP Brewery Pacific Cup kicks off at Lloyd Robson Oval on the weekend of October 24, with teams set to arrive in Port Moresby from October 19.
But all the action next week will be in Cairns, with both Samoa and Cook Islands set to take part in a week of festivities starting with an intercultural social evening on Tuesday, October 13.
A Mayoral Reception will take place on Thursday, October 15 at the city?s Council Chambers, while on game day the Cairns District Junior Rugby League will be conducting fundraisers to aid the crisis response in Samoa.
Cairns will be alive with international Rugby League throughout the week thanks to concurrent carnivals - Far North Queensland Sporting and Cultural Carnival and the "Jack Albert Shield" featuring 25-30 senior men?s, women?s and under-18 teams ? involving an array of countries and cultures.
Both teams arrive in Cairns on Monday, October 12, and will train at Northern Pride Oval (Samoa) and Barlow Park (Cook Islands).
Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea continue their preparations for the inaugural SP Brewery Pacific Cup with their annual Origin fixture taking place this Saturday, October 10 in Mount Hagen.
Fiji has completed their internal trial and are set to name their tournament squad in the coming days while Tonga are busy preparing for a warm-up match against New Zealand in Rotorua on October 14 and are set to name a powerful line up prior to departing Australia on October 12.
Pacific Cup Qualifying Match
Samoa vs Cook Islands
BARLOW PARK - 17th OCTOBER
7.00 pm Cultural Entertainment 7.30 pm MAIN GAME
Gates Open 3pm - $12 Adults - $2 School Aged Children and Aged Pensioners
CURTAIN RAISER 5.30 PM Jack Ahmat Shield Qualifier
Jack Ahmat FNQ Sports & Cultural Carnival @ Jones Park 16/17/18th October
7.00 pm Cultural Entertainment 7.30 pm MAIN GAME
MAIN ENTRY SCOTT STREET GATES, 2ND ENTRANCE SPENCE STREET - CARPARKS SCOTT STREET & SHOWGROUNDS
SAMOA ? SP Pacific Cup qualifier squad
AH VAN Patrick - New Zealand Warriors
AFAMASAGA Jack - Cronulla Sharks
CHAN-TUNG Paul - Samoa
HANSEN Harrison - Wigan Warriors, UK
IOSEFA Masada - Penrith Panthers
LEULUAI Kylie - Leeds Rhinos, UK
LEULUAI Phillip - Salford Reds, UK
MATAUTIA Peter - Newcastle Knights
MELI Francis - St Helens, UK
PASENE Tanielu - Samoa
PULETUA Tony - St Helens, UK
PAULO Joseph - Penrith Panthers
ROPATI Tangi - Samoa
SEUSEU Terence - Cronulla Sharks
STANLEY Kyle - St George Illawarra Dragons
TALAPEAU Albert - Brisbane Easts
TAGATESE Sam - Gold Coast Titans
TAUALAGI Lepupa = Samoa
TAUFUA Mark - Newcastle Knights
TAULAPAPA Misi - Cronulla Sharks
COACH: Willie Poching
COOK ISLANDS ? SP Pacific Cup qualifier squad
ARONA Tinirau - Penrith Panthers
BRUNTON Sam - Sydney Roosters
DANIELA Geoff - Panthers/Tigers
FEPULEAI Daniel - Shellharbour Dragons
FORD John - Newcastle Knights
GELLING Anthony - Sydney Roosters
GLASSIE Terry - Newtown Jets
GLENN Alex - Brisbane Broncos
LULIA Keith - Newcastle Knights
MAKIMARE Fred - Melbourne Storm
MATAPUKU Joseph - Bulldogs
NGARO Vinnie - North Sydney Bears
PANAPA Leon - Cook Islands
PEROUX Dominique - Gold Coast Titans
TAKIRANGI Brad - Cook Islands
TETEVANO Zane - Newcastle Knights
TIKINAU Manikura - Wests Tigers
VAEAU Ben - Brisbane Easts
VIIGA John - Cook Islands
COACH: David Fairleigh
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