England squad, Victor Radley, Dom Young, Samoa squad, Pacific Championships, ins and outs, Fiji side, Brian To’o, Stephen Crichton, Junior Paulo, Tonga squad, England Test series, Jack de Belin, Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Karmichael Hunt

England have named a 24-man squad to take on Tonga in a historic three-Test series which starts at St Helens on Saturday.

There’s just 12 survivors from coach Shaun Wane’s World Cup squad from 12 months ago when Egnland lost their semi-final against Samoa in golden point.

“We don’t sit around patting ourselves on the backs, ever,” Wane said.

“We fell short at the World Cup, we need to improve and we need to improve to beat a talented Tongan team. We fell short last year, but we’ve learned a lot of lessons.”

Watch every match of The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Live on Kayo Sports. Starts THU 6 OCT 7:30PM AEDT. Join Kayo now and start streaming instantly >

NRL star Herbie Farnworth, who was named in the 2023 Dally M Team of the Year, is injured while former captain Sam Tomkins has retired.

Jake Wardle, Jonny Lomax and Alex Walmsley are also in the casualty ward and Wane emphasised his focus was on the players in front of him.

“Without sounding nasty, I’ve forgotten about them,” Wane responded.

“The only people I’m thinking about are in the 24-man squad.”

NRL players Victor Radley, Dom Young, Tom Burgess, Elliott Whitehead and John Bateman were all picked.

The English pack will have their work cut out against a Tongan side that includes Addin Fonua-Blake, Moeaki Fotuaika, Keaon Koloamatangi, Haumole Olakau’atu and Tyson Frizell.

“I’m really pleased with the 24 players coming into camp as we look to beat Tonga in this three-game series,” Wane said.

“All of the players included have impressed me throughout their respective Super League and NRL campaigns and are worthy of representing their country in this historic series.

“We’ve got a real strong mix of experience and youth combining players who featured in last year’s World Cup, this year’s mid-season international and some who are returning to the international frame.”

England squad:

Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves)

John Bateman (Wests Tigers)

Tom Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Daryl Clark (Warrington Wolves)

Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves)

Tyler Dupree (Wigan Warriors)

Liam Farrell (Wigan Warriors)

Chris Hill (Huddersfield Giants)

Tom Johnstone (Catalans Dragons)

Toby King (Wigan Warriors)

Morgan Knowles (St Helens)

Matty Lees (St Helens)

Mikey Lewis (Hull KR)

Tommy Makinson (St Helens)

Mike McMeeken (Catalans Dragons)

Robbie Mulhern (Leigh Leopards)

Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos)

Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters)

Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors)

Danny Walker (Warrington Wolves)

Jack Welsby (St Helens)

Elliott Whitehead (Canberra Raiders)

George Williams (Warrington Wolves)

Dom Young (Newcastle Knights)

KARMICHAEL TO COACH COOK ISLANDS

The Cook Islands have announced their squad for the Pacific Championships, with Karmichael Hunt named as the nation’s head coach.

The former Broncos gun came desperately close to representing the Cook Islands during the 2021 season, before the pandemic forced the World Cup to be postponed.

He then retired at the end of that season, but jumped at the opportunity to lead the way after winning Queensland Cup coach of the year with Souths Logan.

“This is a very special chance to represent half of my heritage,” Hunt told NRL.com.

Hunt has named an exciting group that includes Rabbitohs gun Davvy Moale, as well as Sharks flyer Kayal Iro.

Meanwhile, veterans Brad Takairangi and Zane Tetevano will also represent their country, preparing for their first clash against Papua New Guinea on Sunday.

Cook Islands Aitu squad

Tevin Arona

Rhys Dakin

Esom Ioka

Kadiyae Ioka

Kayal Iro

Makahesi Makatoa

Justin Estall-Makirere

Steven Marsters

Esan Marsters

Alvin Maungaati

Davvy Moale

Takai Mokohar

Malachi Morgan

Rua Ngatikaura

Pride Pettersen-Robati

Lucky Pokipoki

Reuben Porter

William Samuel

Brad Takairangi

Zane Tetevano

Isaiah Cooper-Tetevano

FIJI’S EXCITING SQUAD

Penrith’s Dally M rookie of the year Sunia Turuva and Wests Tigers young gun Jahream Bula headline a star-studded Fiji squad named for the Pacific Championships.

Turuva and Tigers are two of several NRL players to be named in the squad by coach Wise Kativerata.

Storm forward Tui Kamikamica takes over from Kevin Naiqama as captain, while Eels duo Maika Sivo and Waqa Blake join Dragons star Mikaele Ravalawa and Rabbitohs flyer Taane Milne.

Fiji take on the Cook Islands in Port Moresby on October 22 before facing hosts Papua New Guinea the following week on October 29.

FIJI SQUAD

Waqa Blake (Eels)

Jahream Bula (Wests Tigers)

Kurt Donoghoe (Dolphins)

Kitione Kautoga (Bulldogs)

Tui Kamikamica, capt. (Storm)

Sirilo Lovokuro (Kaiviti Silktails)

Taane Milne (Rabbitohs)

Noah Nailagoliva (Knights)

Caleb Navale (Sea Eagles)

Jason Qareqare (Castleford Tigers)

Mikaele Ravalawa (Dragons)

Mesake Ravonu (Bulldogs)

Apisalome Saukuru (Wests Tigers)

Maika Sivo (Eels)

Peni Tagituimua (Bulldogs)

Sunia Turuva (Panthers)

King Vuniyayawa (Salford Red Devils)

Brandon Wakeham (Wests Tigers)

Watisoni Waqanisaravi (Kaiviti Silktails)

Gordon Whippy (Ipswich Jets)

DE BELIN TO PLAY FOR PNG

Dragons prop Jack de Belin will reportedly represent Papua New Guinea in this year’s Pacific Championships.

The Daily Telegraph is reporting de Belin’s grandmother was born in PNG and the 32-year-old had previously turned down offers to represent the country.

But now, with new coach Justin Holbrook at the helm, de Belin is set to make his Kumuls debut.

De Belin has previously played representative football for the NSW Blues, playing all three games in the 2018 series.

Papua New Guinea will face the Cook Islands and Fiji in the Bowl pool of the Pacific Championships.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA SQUAD

Alex Johnston (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Benji Kot (PNG Hunters)

Dan Russell (St. George Illawarra Dragons)

Edwin Ipape (Leigh Leopards)

Epel Kapinias (PNG Hunters)

Jack de Belin (St George Illawarra Dragons)

Jacob Alick (Gold Coast Titans)

Judah Rimbu (PNG Hunters)

Junior Rop (PNG Hunters)

Justin Olam (Melbourne Storm)

Kyle Laybutt (Townsville Blackhawks)

Lachlan Lam (Leigh Leopards)

Liam Horne (Castleford Tigers)

Nene Macdonald (Leeds Rhinos)

Nixon Putt (Castleford Tigers)

Rhyse Martin (Leeds Rhinos)

Robert Derby (North Queensland Cowboys)

Rodrick Tai (PNG Hunters)

Valentine Richard (Central Qld Capras)

Wellington Albert (London Broncos)

Zac Laybutt (North Queensland Cowboys).

TONGAN SQUAD ANNOUNCED

Tonga have announced their squad to take on England in a three-Test series, kicking off at St Helens’ Wicked Stadium on October 22.

Mate Ma’a won’t feature in this year’s Pacific Championships, instead becoming the first Pacific nation to play a Test series against the Three Lions.

Tonga’s squad is packed to the brim with big-name NRL enforcers, including Addin Fonua-Blake, Felise Kaufusi and Haumole Olakau’atu.

Meanwhile, coach Kristian Woolf has also named three playmakers in Tuimoala Lolohea, Latu Fainu and Isaiya Katoa.

Jason Taumalolo, Sio Siau Taukieaho, David Fifita, Sione Katoa and Dallin Watene Zelezniak have all been ruled out due to off-season surgeries or being ruled unfit by their clubs.

Interestingly, Watene Zelezniak made himself available for Tongan selection, snubbing the Kiwis after featuring for New Zealand in last year’s World Cup.

TONGAN SQUAD (in alphabetical order)

Latu Fainu – Manly Sea Eagles

Addin Fonua-Blake – NZ Warriors

Moeaki Fotuaika – Gold Coast Titans

Tyson Frizell – Newcastle Knights

Siliva Havili – South Sydney Rabbitohs

William Hopoate – St Helens

Konrad Hurrell – St Helens

Isaiya Katoa – Dolphins

Eliesa Katoa – Melbourne Storm

Felise Kaufusi – Dolphins

Keaon Koloamatangi – South Sydney Rabbitohs

Tolutau Koula – Manly Sea Eagles

Tuimoala Lolohea – Huddersfield Giants

Haumole Olakau’atu – Manly Sea Eagles

Will Penisini – Parramatta Eels

Hame Sele – South Sydney Rabbitohs

Mosese Suli – St George Illawarra Dragons

Tevita Tatola – South Sydney Rabbitohs

Dion Teaupa – South Sydney Rabbitohs

Starford Toa – Wests Tigers

Daniel Tupou – Sydney Roosters

Siua Wong – Sydney Roosters

SAMOA NAME EXCITING SQUAD

Samoa’s extended squad for the upcoming Pacific Championships has been announced with four Panthers players fresh off winning a premiership included.

New coach Ben Gardiner has named Stephen Crichton, Brian To’o, Izack Tago and Spencer Leniu — however Jarome Luai is unavailable due to injury.

Meanwhile, Jesse Arthars Keenan Palasia have earned selection too after featuring in last Sunday’s NRL Grand Final with the Broncos.

The pack includes veteran Junior Paulo, who will captain the side, as well as Luciano Leilua, Stefano Utoikamanu, Royce Hunt and Terrell May.

Rookies Gordon Chan Kum Tong and Sualauvi Faalogo are set to get a taste of international footy after being selected. So too Bulldogs teen Karl Oloapu.

Powerhouse winger Greg Marzhew and rising second-rower Heilum Luki also join the list of 10 players set to make their debut for Samoa.

“With the balance of young and senior players, it’s definitely a good combination that we have got going,” Paulo said on Tuesday.

It comes after Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga announced his 21-man squad earlier on Tuesday.

Samoa will face Australia in their first match of the championship on Saturday, October 14 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville.

MORE NRL NEWS:

KANGAROOS CONFIRMED: Panthers’ GF hero snubbed in big Teddy Kangaroos call

JILLAROOS CONFIRMED: Upton set for Aus debut after perfect NRLW season

WINNERS & LOSERS: Silver lining to Broncos nightmare; shock call on Dally M freak

SEASON REPORT CARD: NRL’s biggest failure revealed; title surge no one saw coming

TOA SAMOA SQUAD (* Denotes debutant)

Jesse Arthars (Brisbane Broncos)*

Daejarn Asi (Parramatta Eels)*

Gordon Chan Kum Tong (Manly Sea Eagles)*

Stephen Crichton (Penrith Panthers)

Sualauvi Faalogo (Melbourne Storm)*

Royce Hunt (Cronulla Sharks)

Luciana Leilua (North Queensland Cowboys)

Connelly Lemuelu (Dolphins)

Spencer Leniu (Penrith Panthers)

Heilum Luki (North Queensland Cowboys)*

Greg Marzhew (Newcastle Knights)*

Justin Matamua (Wests Tigers)*

Terrell May (Sydney Roosters)*

Karl Oloapu (Canterbury Bulldogs)*

Keenan Palasia (Brisbane Broncos)

Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels)

Izack Tago (Penrith Panthers)

Murray Taulagi (North Queensland Cowboys)*

Young Tonumaipea (Melbourne Storm)

Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers)

Stefano Utoikamanu (Wests Tigers)

KIWI NAME SEVEN DEBUTANTS

There are seven players are in line to make their New Zealand debuts the inaugural Pacific Championships amid a hooker shortage.

The potential debutants in the Kiwis’ 21-man squad include Cowboys prop Griffin Neame and Christchurch-born Knights utility Fa’amanu Brown who joins the squad after representing Samoa at Rugby League World Cup last year.

Eels front-rower Wiremu Greig, Titans’ 19-year-old fullback Keano Kini, Knights prop Leo Thompson, Raiders centre Matthew Timoko and Roosters forward Naufahu Whyte round out the potential debutants.

Watch every match of The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Live on Kayo Sports. Starts THU 6 OCT 7:30PM AEDT. Join Kayo now and start streaming instantly >

The Kiwis are particularly short at hooker with Roosters star Brandon Smith (hand), Dolphins standout Jeremy Marshall-King (shoulder) and Newcastle revelation Phoenix Crossland (knee) all ruled out.

Warriors star and Dally M winger of the year Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has represented New Zealand on 13 occasions but has defected to Tonga.

The 2023 Dally M Medal runner-up, Shaun Johnson, made himself unavailable for selection after a long season with the Warriors.

Two former Kiwis Tests stars, who have since played for Samoa, have been recalled in Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako and Danny Levi.

NEW ZEALAND SQUAD:

Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Melbourne Storm)

Dylan Brown (Parramatta Eels)

Fa’amanu Brown (Newcastle Knights)

James Fisher-Harris (Penrith Panthers)

Kieran Foran (Gold Coast Titans)

Wiremu Greig (Parramatta Eels)

Jahrome Hughes (Melbourne Storm)

Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins)

Keano Kini (Gold Coast Titans)

Moses Leota (Penrith Panthers)

Danny Levi (Canberra Raiders)

Joseph Manu (Sydney Roosters)

Ronaldo Mulitalo (Cronulla Sharks)

Griffin Neame (North Queensland Cowboys)

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Warriors)

Briton Nikora (Cronulla Sharks)

Isaiah Papali’i (Wests Tigers)

Joseph Tapine (Canberra Raiders)

Leo Thompson (Newcastle Knights)

Matthew Timoko (Canberra Raiders)

Naufahu Whyte (Sydney Roosters).

PANTHERS STAR PICKED FOR AUSTRALIA

Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards has been added to the Kangaroos squad in the wake of Josh Addo-Carr copping a two-game ban.

Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary has been ruled out of the Kangaroos’ end-of-year Test matches, with Sharks gun Nicho Hynes called up to replace him in the squad.

Broncos prop Payne Haas, who has also been picked for Australia, was fined by the match review committee for a hip-drop tackle on Cleary in the 10th minute of the grand final.

KANGAROOS SQUAD

Dylan Edwards (Panthers)

Patrick Carrigan (Broncos)

Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles)

Nicho Hynes* (Sharks)

Selwyn Cobbo* (Broncos)

Lindsay Collins (Roosters)

Reuben Cotter (Cowboys)

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Titans)

Thomas Flegler* (Broncos)

Harry Grant (Storm)

Payne Haas* (Broncos)

Valentine Holmes (Cowboys)

Ben Hunt (Dragons)

Liam Martin (Panthers)

Cameron Munster (Storm)

Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs)

Kotoni Staggs* (Broncos)

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow* (Dolphins)

James Tedesco, capt. (Roosters)

Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles)

Isaah Yeo (Panthers)

*debut squad