Dylan Brown will meet Eels teammates Junior Paulo and Daejarn Asi as New Zealand clash with Samoa in Auckland on Saturday.
Brown has won the race to the Kiwis’ no. 6 jersey for their opening match of the Pacific Championships against Samoa, named as New Zealand’s five-eighth. He could be joined by Wiremu Greig, who is a chance of making his Test debut after being included on the New Zealand reserves list.
The Kiwis will come up against a Toa Samoa side which includes Junior Paulo and Daejarn Asi at prop and halfback, respectively.
Maika Sivo and Waqa Blake will make their first appearances of the Pacific Championships, with both named to start for Fiji’s match against the Cook Islands. Makahesi Makatoa is unavailable for the Kukis after suffering an injury in their match on the weekend.
Elsie Albert is in line for a much-anticipated return from injury with her national team after being named to start for the Papua New Guinea Orchids.
Five Eels Women are set for Test debuts in Tonga’s meeting with the Kiwi Ferns. Cassey Tohi-Hiku, Jade Fonua, Amelia Mafi and Shannon Muru have all been named for Tonga, while Capri Paekau has earned a place in the New Zealand side.
Pacific Championships: Week 2
New Zealand v Samoa
- Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
- Date: Saturday 21 October
- Time: 4pm AEDT
- Eels to watch: Dylan Brown, Wiremu Greig (New Zealand) Junior Paulo, Daejarn Asi (Samoa)
Kiwi Ferns v Tonga
- Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
- Date: Saturday 21 October
- Time: 1:45pm AEDT
- Eels to watch: Cassey Tohi-Hiku, Jade Fonua, Amelia Mafi, Shannon Muru (Tonga), Capri Paekau (Kiwi Ferns)
Fiji v Cook Islands
- Venue: Santos National Football Stadium, Port Morseby
- Date: Sunday 22 October
- Time: 4pm AEDT
- Eels to watch: Maika Sivo, Waqa Blake (Fiji)
PNG Orchids v Cook Islands Moana
- Venue: Santos National Football Stadium, Port Morseby
- Date: Sunday 22 October
- Time: 1:45pm AEDT
- Eels to watch: Elsie Albert (PNG)