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How to tune into Sport NationAllegiance switches confirmed as Pacific Championship teams named
Sam Kosack • September 30th, 2025 10:28 pm
Fiji Bati, Papua New Guinea and the Cook Islands have all announced their seventeen-man line-ups for the upcoming Pacific Championships.
Kangaroos-bolter Mark Nawaqanitawase has been named in the Fijian line-up and told the island nation he will represent the country should he not be picked for Australia.
Nawaqanitawase is eligible to represent Fiji through his father Sevuloni, who moved to Australia to play rugby league for the Balmain Tigers in 1991.
Samuela and Sione Fainu have also pledged their allegiance to Fiji, opting to play for the country over Tonga. Their brother Latu represented Tonga last season in the Pacific Championships but is ruled out this post-season as he needs a shoulder reconstruction.
The brothers are two of five Wests Tigers to represent Fiji this post-season, along with Sunia Turuva, Jahream Bula and rookie half Joese Lanyon, however, captain Apisai Koroisau is unavailable, along with Viliame Kikau, who is getting married during the tournament.
After crossing for his 200th try in 2025, Alex Johnston will return to the Papua New Guinea line-up after missing last year’s line-up with an Achilles injury, while Titans’ rookie Cooper Bai has earned a call-up after making his NRL debut in Round 27.
The Cook Islands will boast more NRL talent than last year’s tournament, with KL Iro, Davvy Moale, and grand final duo Brendan Piakura and Xavier Willison also named.
Fiji Bati
- Jahream Bula (Wests Tigers)
- Sunia Turuva (Wests Tigers)
- Semi Valemai (Cowboys)
- Waqa Blake (Bradford Bulls)
- Mark Nawaqanitawase (Roosters)/Jethro Rinakima (Bulldogs)
- Joese Lanyon (Wests Tigers)
- Brandon Wakeham (Sea Eagles)
- Tui Kamikamica (Storm)
- Kurt Donoghoe (Dolphins)
- Sione Fainu (Wests Tigers)
- Samuela Fainu (Wests Tigers)
- Kitione Kautoga (Eels)
- Caleb Navale (Sea Eagles)
- Taane Milne (Huddersfield Giants)
- Ben Nakubuwai (Brisbane Norths)
- Kylan Mafoa (Sea Eagles)
- Michael Waqa (Broncos)
PNG Kumuls
- Alex Johnston (Rabbitohs)
- Nene Macdonald (Salford Reds)
- Alex Max (PNG Hunters)
- Zac Laybutt (Cowboys)
- Robert Derby (Cowboys)
- Finlay Glare (PNG Hunters)
- Lachlan Lam (Leigh Leopards)
- Valentine Richard (Capras)
- Edwin Ipape (Leigh Leopards)
- Epel Kapianis (PNG Hunters)
- Nixon Putt (Capras)
- Rhyse Martin (Hull KR)
- Jack De Belin (Dragons)
- Liam Horne (Castleford)
- Jacob Alick-Wienke (Titans)
- Cooper Bai (Titans)
- Sylvester Namo (Brisbane Tigers)
Cook Islands
- Esom Ioka (Northern Pride)
- Reubenn Rennie (Toulouse Olympique)
- KL Iro (Sharks)
- Delahia Wigmore (Panthers)
- Paul Ulberg (Toulouse Olympique)
- Esan Marsters (Salford Reds)
- Brad Taikarangi (South-West Goannas)
- Davvy Moale (Rabbitohs)
- Mason Teague (Knights)
- Xavier Willison (Broncos)
- Brendan Piakura (Broncos)
- Marata Niukore (Warriors)
- Pride Petterson-Robati (Souths Logan Magpies)
- Rua Ngatikaura (Rabbitohs)
- Makahesi Makatoa (Roosters)
- Tepai Moeroa (Wests Devils)
- Reuben Porter (Wests Tigers)
