Clayton Faulalo, Tolu Koula and Lehi Hopoate are among a handful of Manly players to keep an eye on in the Pacific Championships over the next few weeks.
This year’s Pacific Championships will see Tonga play against Samoa and New Zealand for the Pacific Cup, while PNG, Fiji and Cook Islands will contest the Pacific Bowl over three weekends in Port Moresby.
Faulalo is the latest Sea Eagle set to earn representative honours after being called into the Samoa squad.
The 25-year-old, who recently signed a new contract at Manly, will be joined in the side by 2025 Sea Eagles’ teammate, Jazz Tevaga, who is heading to the Super League next season.
It’s an impressive lineup for Toa Samoa featuring the likes of Jarome Luai and Brian To’o in the backs and a fearsome pack of forwards that includes Payne Haas, Josh Papalii and Junior Paulo.
Samoa returns to the tournament after missing last year’s Pacific Championships to tour the UK.
Koula and Hopoate will line up for Tonga as they did last year when narrowly beaten by Australia in the final.
The pair are part of a star-studded 21-man squad which is very similar to last year, with a few new additions. Roosters centre Robert Toia will make his debut for Tonga, joining other newcomers Stefano Utoikamanu, Leka Halasima and Demetric Vaimauga.
Missing from the Tonga squad are Sea Eagles forwards Haumole Olakau’atu and Taniela Paseka, who are both recovering from long-term injuries.
The Kangaroos are not involved in this year’s tournament as they are playing a three-Test Ashes series in England.
The other three Manly players to follow over the next few weeks will be playing for Fiji.
Caleb Navale will again represent the Bati as he did in the last two Pacific Bowl tournaments. It caps a successful season for the 22-year-old lock who made nine appearances in the NRL and was named Manly’s Player of the Year in the NSW Cup.
Kylan Mafoa, a former Jersey Flegg teammate of Navale, is in the squad again after making his international debut for Fiji at last year’s tournament. The young prop played the final five rounds of NSW Cup for Manly this season
Although yet to play NRL for Manly, Brandon Wakeham has also been selected for Fiji after a strong season in the NSW Cup, where played in all 24 games for the Sea Eagles.
Pacific Cup Schedule
Round 1
New Zealand Kiwis vs Toa Samoa – Sun 19th October (4:05pm) in Auckland
Round 2
Toa Samoa vs Tonga XIII - Sun 26th October (4pm) in Brisbane
Round 3
New Zealand Kiwis vs Tonga XIII – Sun 2nd November (4:05pm) in Auckland
Final
TBC vs TBC – Sunday 9th November at CommBank Stadium, Parramatta
Pacific Bowl Schedule
Round 1
Fiji Bati vs Cook Islands Aitu – Sat 18th October (4pm) in Port Moresby
Round 2
PNG Kumuls vs Cook Islands Aitu – Sat 25th October (4pm) in Port Moresby
Round 3
PNG Kumuls vs Fiji Bati – 1st October (4pm) in Port Moresby
