Pacific powerhouses: Big names set to miss out in star studded teams

Tonga may have up to six changes to the team which beat the Kiwis and narrowly lost to the Kangaroos in last year's epic Pacific Cup final as Kristian Woolf's team aims to become the third winner of the tournament in as many years.

Toa Samoa, bolstered by the decision of Payne Haas to represent his heritage over the Kangaroos, are set to be almost unrecognisable from the team that toured England at the end of last season.

And the Kiwis, who inflicted a record 30-0 defeat of Australia in the 2023 Pacific Cup final, will welcome back star players in the key spine positions as they attempt to again triumph on a stage many now consider bigger than Origin.

When assessing the strength of a representative team, consider the players who miss out.

Sharks winger Sione Katoa and Penrith's Paul Alamoti both played for Tonga in last year's epic Pacific Cup final, won 20-14 by the Kangaroos, but there may not be room for them this time, despite helping their teams go deep in the NRL finals.

The emergence of Roosters centre Rob Toia, who starred in Queensland's State of Origin victory, and Eels livewire Isaiah Iongi are set to force changes in the backline.

For the first time in more than a decade, Tonga won't be recalling Tui Lolohea from the Super League to play in the halves.

Star winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has switched his allegiances from New Zealand to Tonga.

In the forwards, Stefano Utoikamanu is set to make his Tongan debut alongside Addin Fonua-Blake in a star-studded pack featuring Storm team-mate Eli Katoa - arguably the form secondrower of the NRL - and Warriors sensation Leka Halasima.

For Samoan coach Ben Gardiner, the depth of talent now at his disposal also means some dramatic selection headaches and only Jarome Luai and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck could be sure of retaining their positions from last season.

If Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow hadn't injured his knee in the final game for the Dolphins, even Tuivasa-Sheck's position may not be guaranteed, particularly with the return of Stephen Crichton and Brian To'o after missing last year's series in England.

Taylan May's stunning end-of-season form for Wests Tigers and the development of Blaize Talagi as a top line five-eighth for the Panthers means there may not be spots for the likes of Sua Fa’alogo, Deine Mariner, Tommy Talau and Murray Taulagi.

Samoa also have a genuine NRL hooker now in impressive Roosters youngster Benaiah Ioelu, but it is the addition of Haas and Josh Papalii's decision to make himself available that highlights their strength in the forwards.

With Terrell May, Spencer Leniu and Junior Paulo, who captained Samoa to the final of the last World Cup in 2022, Samoa are going to be hard to contain in the middle.