The second week of the Pacific Championships will play out in Port Moresby and Brisbane as four nations lock horns.
Papua New Guinea had the bye in the opening round of the Pacific Bowl, but will be eager to make a strong impression when they take on the Cook Islands, who were battered by Fiji last weekend.
The Kumuls will have home ground advantage to call upon for the clash, before attention then turns to a blockbuster between Tonga and Samoa.
Ben Gardiner's side lost to New Zealand in a close one in the Pacific Cup opener and the injury-plagued outfit have their work cut out for them against the star-studded Tongans.
AllSportsPeople provides all the latest team news for the second week of the Pacific Championships.
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Tonga vs. Samoa
(Sunday, October 26 at Suncorp Stadium, 4:00pm AEDT)
Tonga confirmed team:
1. Lehi Hopoate
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Tolu Koula
4. Robert Toia
5. Sione Katoa
6. Isaiah Iongi
7. Isaiya Katoa
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Siliva Havili
10. Stefano Utoikamanu
12. Eli Katoa
15. Leka Halasima
16. Felise Kaufusi
11. Siua Wong
14. Soni Luke
17. Moeaki Fotuaika
18. Demitric Vaimauga
19. Paul Alamoti
Tonga team news:
Lehi Hopoate was handed the No.1 jersey for the Pacific Championships decider against Australia last year, and will keep it this year with emerging star Isaiah Iongi set to start in the halves.
Daniel Tupou keeps on trucking and he gets the nod for one wing spot, with fellow veteran Sione Katoa winning a shootout with the in-form Paul Alamoti for the other place on the flank.
There is an embarrassment of riches in the centres, with Robert Toia, Tolutau Koula and Will Penisini all included in the squad. The latter has missed out on selection in the backline.
It's a pretty straightforward decision for Kristian Woolf in the halves, as Isaiya Katoa will lead the side at halfback.
Super League veteran Tuimoala Lolohea partnered Katoa last year but has not made the cut this time, so Iongi gets the No.6 jersey.
Addin Fonua-Blake will be joined in the front row by Stefano Utoikamanu, who will debut for Tonga after previously turning out for Samoa.
Support will be provided off the bench by Felise Kaufusi and Moeaki Fotuaika, with Demitric Vaimauga unable to force his way into the side.
Siliva Havili claims the No.9 jersey, with support provided by Soni Luke once again.
Eli Katoa will occupy one edge after another starring for Melbourne all year.
Siua Wong has beaten off competition from Leka Halasima and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki for the other vacant starting spot in the backrow. Halasima has earned a place on the bench, while Finefeuiaki misses out on the 17.
Meanwhile, Jason Taumalolo will start at lock to complete an imposing pack for the Tongans that are without Haumole Olakau'atu and Taniela Paseka through injury and Keaon Koloamatangi, who was selected by Australia.
UPDATE:
Taumalolo has dropped out of the side, with Kaufusi taking his starting place at lock.
Samoa confirmed team:
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
2. Brian To'o
3. Izack Tago
4. Deine Mariner
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Blaize Talagi
7. Jarome Luai
10. Payne Haas
15. Benaiah Ioelu
17. Francis Molo
11. Jeremiah Nanai
12. Simi Sasagi
13. Junior Paulo
8. Josh Papalii
9. Jazz Tevaga
14. Chanel Harris-Tavita
20. Terrell May
16. Ativalu Lisati
Toa Samoa team news:
Samoa went down to New Zealandnd 24-18 in their opening match and have been left stretched after copping some injury blows.
Taylan May suffered a quad injury before the tournament started, while Terrell May dropped out of the side late on due to a hamstring issue. Both men have been named in the extended squad this week.
In a bruising contest against the Kiwis, Ata Mariota suffered a concussion after being a late addition to the 17, while Jaydn Su'A also left the field in the closing stages after copping a head knock and has been ruled out.
Simi Sasagi has been named to take the St George Illawarra star's place in the starting side. Ativalu Lisati will debut off the bench.
Despite being ruled out of the rest of the game due to a head knock last week, Jazz Tevaga has been named to start at hooker.
PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS - WEEK 2:
Papua New Guinea 40-28 Cook Islands
(Saturday, October 25 at Santos National Football Stadium, 4:00pm AEDT)
Papua New Guinea confirmed team:
1. Morea Morea
2. Robert Derby
3. Zac Laybutt
4. Nene McDonald
5. Alex Johnston
6. Gairo Voro
7. Lachlan Lam
8. Epel Kapinias
9. Edwin Ipape
10. Jack de Belin
11. Rhyse Martin
12. Nixon Putt
13. Liam Horne
14. Finley Glare
15. Jacob Alick-Wiencke
16. Cooper Bai
17. Sylvester Namo
18. Robert Mathias
PNG Kumuls team news:
PNG will kick their tournament off this weekend when they host the Cook Islands.
Morea Morea has been handed the No.1 jersey with the team's veteran backline star Alex Johnston lining up on the wing. Robert Derby has beaten fellow young flyer Dudley Dodoi to the other vacant spot on the flank.
Zac Laybutt has been named in the centres and is joined by veteran Nene McDonald, who featured in the PM's XIII match.
Lachlan Lam will guide the side around the park at halfback after another impressive season in the Super League with Leigh. He is joined in the halves by Gairo Voro.
Jack de Belin will start in the front row rather than at lock, with Liam Horne handed the No.13 jersey.
The backrow is made up of Rhyse Martin and Nixon Putt, with support coming off the bench via Gold Coast duo Jacob Alick-Wiencke and Cooper Bai.
Edwin Ipape starts in the No.9 jersey and will be supported by Finley Glare off the pine.
Sylvester Namo has also grabbed a place in the 17 ahead of Robert Mathias and Valentine Richard.
Cook Islands confirmed team:
5. Esom Ioka
2. Paul Ulberg
3. KL Iro
4. Reubenn Rennie
6. Caelys-Paul Putoko
7. Cassius Cowley
1. Esan Marsters
8. Makahesi Makatoa
14. Ruatapu Ngatikaura
13. Pride Petterson-Robati
11. Brendan Piakura
12. Reuben Porter
9. Mason Teague
16. Brody Tamarua
17. Rhys Dakin
18. Delahia Wigmore
20. Justin Makirere
19. Teapo Stoltman
Cook Islands Aitu team news:
Cook Islands were blown away by Fiji early on during their opening match of the tournament and will be looking for redemption against PNG.
Esan Marsters was initially named to start at fullback but he moved to five-eighth to replace Brad Takairangi, with Caelys-Paul Putoko taking over at the back.
This week, Marsters have been named in the No.1 jersey once again, while Putoko has been listed at five-eighth.
Brody Tamarua has dropped out of the side, with Delahia Wigmore promoted from being 18th man. He is joined on the bench by last week's late addition to the 17, Justin Makirere.