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NZ v Tonga: Kiwis favourites after Pacific Cup teams named

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Pacific Championships

New Zealand are favourites to defeat Tonga in a must-win Pacific Cup clash in Auckland on Saturday, with both nations naming their teams on Tuesday.

Rugby league bookmakers have the Kiwis at $1.52 to win and advance to the final against Australia on November 10, while Tonga are $2.55 underdogs.

The home side holds a 6-1 advantage over Tonga in the head-to-head ledger, having won all four matches played in Auckland — including a 26-6 result in their most recent encounter in 2022 at Mt Smart Stadium.

Both sides are winless so far in the Pacific Cup, with Tonga losing 18-0 to Australia in the opening week of the tournament and New Zealand falling 22-10 to the Kangaroos last weekend.

The Kiwis have made just one change after the defeat in Christchurch, with Leo Thompson returning from suspension in place of Jordan Riki on the bench.

Tonga have also made a single change since their loss to the Kangaroos on October 18. Keaon Koloamatangi leaves the squad due to the birth of his child, with Siua Wong coming in.

NZ v Tonga Pacific Cup teams

NZ Kiwis

New Zealand

  1. Keano Kini
  2. Jamayne Isaako
  3. Matthew Timoko
  4. Peta Hiku
  5. William Warbrick
  6. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
  7. Shaun Johnson
  8. James Fisher-Harris
  9. Phoenix Crossland
  10. Joseph Tapine
  11. Isaiah Papali’i
  12. Scott Sorensen
  13. Naufahu Whyte
  14. Kodi Nikorima
  15. Griffin Neame
  16. Marata Niukore
  17. Leo Thompson
  18. Erin Clark
  19. Jordan Riki
  20. Casey McLean
  21. Trent Toelau
Mate Ma'a Tonga

Tonga

  1. Lehi Hopoate
  2. Daniel Tupou
  3. Mosese Suli
  4. Paul Alamoti
  5. Sione Katoa
  6. Tuimoala Lolohea
  7. Isaiya Katoa
  8. Addin Fonua-Blake
  9. Siliva Havili
  10. Felise Kaufusi
  11. Haumole Olakau’atu
  12. Eliesa Katoa
  13. Jason Taumalolo
  14. Soni Luke
  15. Sitili Tupouniua
  16. Taniela Paseka
  17. Siua Wong
  18. Tolutau Koula
  19. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
  20. Isaiah Iongi
  21. Keaon Koloamatangi

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Topics: New Zealand, Pacific Bowl, Pacific Championships, Rugby League, Tonga

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