BIG-NAME STARS ARE UP FOR THE CUP
By STEPHEN IBBETSON
THE squads are in for the men’s Pacific Cup-with not a single Super League player from this year included.
All those selected by New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga come from the NRL, despite all three selecting at least one northern hemisphere-based player for their international action last year.
The trio of Pacific nations will be looking to flex their muscles ahead of next year’s World Cup, and claim some silverware in a tournament without holders Australia due to their Ashes tour of England.
New Zealand have named an experienced side including many of the team who won the Pacific Cup in 2023, with Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Dylan Brown, Moses Leota, Ronaldo Mulitalo and Briton Nikora returning to the fold.