Fiji Bati proved too strong for Cook Islands last year, winning 56-6 in the Pacific Championships Bowls Challenge. Photo: Facebook / NRL
Opinion - All the waiting ends when the Pacific Championships Bowl Challenge rolls off in Port Moresby on Saturday.
Kicking off the battle for the Bowl in the women's competition will be the hosts, PNG Orchids, who will face the Cook Islands Moana.
The home team had something of a trial match when they played against the Australia PM's XIII last weekend.
Elsie Albert will again lead from the front in her 11th Test match.
Recent Super League title winner Emily Veivers is set to come off the bench as a utility, while teenagers Caitlin Tanner and India Seeto earn their first Test cap.
For the Moana, on the other hand, Sharks playmaker Chantay Kiria-Ratu will carry a lot of responsibility on her shoulders.
Kiria-Ratu was impressive during the NRL Women's Premiership this year, finishing with nine assists and five line-break assists.
Fullback Kiana Takairangi is back as captain, while Warriors prop Lavinia Kitai leads from the front in her sixth Test match.
Bati vs Aitu
That match will be followed by the Fiji Bati taking on Cook Islands Aitu.
NRL players filter through both teams and a lot of excitement is building for the Aitu side, who will be heading to their world cup qualifier also, after the series.
For the Bati, Melbourne Storm toughman Tui Kamikamica will captain the Bati in his 22nd Test match.
He did not have success with his side against the Broncos in the NRL final and would be hunting for the Bowl title.
NRL players Taane Milne, Kitione Kautoga and Caleb Navale add plenty of punch in the pack.
Speedsters Jahream Bula, Sunia Turuva and Michael Jennings will keep the Aitu defence busy as will debutant Jethro Rinakama on the wing.
Rinakama has been impressive as well during the NRL.
Bati head coach Wise Kativereta has 11 players with NRL experience, while the Cook Islangs have eight.
Cook Islands have veterans Tepai Moeroa, Brad Takairangi and Esan Marsters in their side, that will be obviously fighting to win their first Test against Fiji since 2009.
That's a long time in waiting.
Sharks centre KL Iro and Broncos back-rower Brendan Piakura add more experienced to the side.
Wynnum-Manly Seagulls halfback Cassius Cowley will make his Test debut and Mason Teague lines up at hooker in his third international.
Both the Bati and the Aitu will then tackle the defending champions each over the next two weekends.
The Kumuls are on a bye and will be closely watching the match.
The focus then shifts to Auckland on Sunday, when the Kiwi Ferns host Fetu Samoa, before the Kiwis battle Toa Samoa in the men's competition.
Fetu Samoa vs Kiwi Ferns
Fetu Samoa have named Broncos premiership winner Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala as captain in her fifth Test for Samoa.
Fellow Brisbane forwards Destiny Brill and Shalom Sauaso are also part of Jamie Soward's team, along with Titans duo Taliah Fuimaono and Pauline Piliae-Rasabale.
The Kiwi Ferns will look to retain their unbeaten run against Fetu Samoa.
Head Coach Ricky Henry believes his side will face a physical Samoan side.
"They are going to be tough. They have some great players through the middle and big outside backs, so it's not going to be an easy game. We're treating them with a lot of respect and expect the best from them, to get the best out of us," Henry told New Zealand Rugby League.
The side have four NRLW captains in the Warriors Apii Nicholls, Titans Georgia Hale, Dragons Raecene McGregor, and Bulldogs Angelina Taekaraanga-Katoa.
The Kiwi Ferns kick off against Fetu Samoa at 3.35pm, followed by the Kiwis v Toa Samoa at 6.05pm.
Toa Samoa vs Kiwis
Toa Samoa have included Jarome Luai, Junior Paulo, Payne Haas, Brian To'o, Terrell May, Jeremiah Nanai and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in their match-day lineup.
Raiders veteran Josh Papalii returns to the side.
Obviously the lure of leading his country of origin to the world cup is strong enough a reason for Papalii to make a return, having last played for Toa Samoa at 2022 World Cup final against Australia.
The side will also have international newcomers Ata Mariota, Lyhkan King-Togia and Benaiah Ioelu.
Samoa missed last year's series because they were heading for the United Kingdom on tour.
Now it's the defending Pacific Cup champions Australia who will be on tour of the UK, leaving the Pacific Cup battle to Samoa, Tonga and New Zealand.
New Zealand Kiwis will be the favourites at home, especially after they were pipped on the same ground by Tonga 12 months ago.
Coach Stacey Jones has named a six returning players from his 2023 champion side for this weekend's clash.
Jones has recalled Ronaldo Mulitalo, Dylan Brown, Kieran Foran, Moses Leota, Briton Nikora and Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
All six played in the Kiwis' record 30-0 win over the Kangaroos in the 2023 final in Hamilton.
NRL said Sunday's encounter will be the sixth between the two nations with the Kiwis winning the previous five, the last a 50-0 victory in their opening game of the 2023 tournament at Eden Park.
The PNG Hunters and Tonga Rugby League 13 are both preparing at their home bases in Port Moresby and Nuku'alofa for their first matches, when the second round kicks off next weekend.
So, some fiery battles on the card in both the men and women's competition and as they say fans should put on their seat belts and get ready to rumble.
Match predictions: Bati to beat the Aitu, PNG Orchids over Cook Islands Moana, Kiwi Ferns over Fetu Samoa, New Zealand Kiwis to edge Toa Samoa.
