Stacey Jones has been compelled to summon two fringe first-graders to his inaugural New Zealand camp as the Kiwis coach unveiled a significantly depleted squad for the Pacific Championships. The unexpected inclusions in Jones’s squad were Penrith duo Trent Toelau and Casey McLean, who collectively have only 16 games of NRL experience. The uncapped Panthers have predominantly featured in the NSW Cup this season. Meanwhile, rising Panthers star Paul Alamoti has been named in a Tongan squad brimming with talent, capping his breakout season with the Panthers. Alamoti, who scored the match-winning try in Sunday’s NRL grand final victory over Melbourne, is one of five debutants selected by coach Kristian Woolf.

For the Kiwis, Toelau and McLean will be joined by six additional debutants, including Newcastle utility Phoenix Crossland, Gold Coast Titans livewire Keano Kini, and Melbourne’s former New Zealand sevens international Will Warbrick. Key players such as Dylan Brown, Kieran Foran, Moses Leota, Brandon Smith, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Briton Nikora, and Jeremy Marshall-King are unavailable due to injury. Nelson Asofa-Solomona is suspended, and former Sydney Roosters centre Joey Manu has transitioned to Japanese rugby union. Retiring Warriors playmaker Shaun Johnson was not persuaded to conclude his career with an international call-up.

Jones has turned to versatile back Peta Hiku to address the player shortage, following his impressive season in the Super League with Hull KR, who have qualified for Sunday’s grand final. Hiku is the first Kiwi call-up from England since 2017. “While we’ve had numerous players ruled out through injury or unavailability, it’s a thrilling opportunity to have the Kiwis playing at home in front of our fans again,” Jones stated. “We still have a strong core from last year’s squad, but this is a fantastic chance to build the group and provide more options and depth for future campaigns.”

Warriors-bound Penrith prop James Fisher-Harris will captain the side once more, following his pivotal role in their 30-0 defeat of Australia to claim last year’s Pacific Championships, which earned him the Golden Boot. Dally M Medal winner Jahrome Hughes has been selected and is expected to partner Kodi Nikorima in the halves, marking the Dolphins playmaker’s return to the Kiwis side since 2019.

Alamoti will be joined in the Tonga squad by four more debutants: Manly prop Taniela Paseka, winger Lehi Hopoate, Parramatta-bound fullback Isaiah Iongi, and Dolphins forward Kulikefu Finefeuiaki. Despite the inclusion of Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa, Woolf has retained the core of the Tongan players who revolutionized the international game in 2017. Key players such as Jason Taumalolo, Addin Fonua-Blake, Daniel Tupou, and Huddersfield five-eighth Tui Lolohea are all part of Woolf’s setup. Roosters forward Siua Wong, who made his Tongan debut on last year’s three-Test tour of England, is part of a formidable forward pack that also includes South Sydney’s Keaon Koloamatangi and Manly’s Haumole Olakau’atu.

This impressive squad gives Tonga hope of causing an upset against Australia in their first meeting since 2019. Tonga defeated the Kangaroos five years ago and aims to replicate that success at Suncorp Stadium on 18 October in the Pacific Championships opener. New Zealand will face Australia in their first game of the tournament in Christchurch on 27 October, followed by a meeting with Tonga on 2 November in Auckland.

New Zealand squad: Erin Clark, Phoenix Crossland, James Fisher-Harris (capt), Peta Hiku, Jahrome Hughes, Jamayne Isaako, Keano Kini, Casey McLean, Griffin Neame, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Kodi Nikorima, Marata Niukore, Isaiah Papali’i, Jordan Riki, Scott Sorensen, Joseph Tapine, Leo Thompson, Matt Timoko, Trent Toelau, Will Warbrick, Naufahu Whyte

Tonga squad: Paul Alamoti, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Addin Fonua-Blake, Siliva Havili, Lehi Hopoate, Isaiah Iongi, Sione Katoa, Eliesa Katoa, Felise Kaufusi, Keaon Koloamatangi, Tolutau Koula, Tuimoala Lolohea, Soni Luke, Haumole Olakau’atu, Taniela Paseka, Moses Suli, Jason Taumalolo, Daniel Tupou, Sitili Tupouniua, Siua Wong