Kiwis' name Ponga, Gagai to start vs Kangaroos
Thirty-five-year-old Dane Gagai will become the second oldest Test debutant in NZ rugby league history when he takes the field for the Kiwis' against the Kangaroos in the opening game of the Rugby League World Cup on Thursday.
Named in the centres, Gagai will run out for the Kiwis nine years after playing the first of his seven Tests for the Kangaroos in the opening match of the 2017 World Cup.
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Alf Chorley has the record as the Kiwis' oldest debutant. He was was 36 years 46 days when New Zealand played Great Britain in 1910.
Gagai, who has Māori heritage on his mother's side, was cleared to switch his eligibility to New Zealand on the eve of Newcastle's appearance in the NRL grand final against the Sydney Roosters this month.
He has previously played three times for the Māori All Stars and also appeared three times for the Indigenous All Stars through his father's heritage.
Gagai's Knights teammate Ponga will line up at fullback against the Kangaroos, capping his ambition to play for the Kiwis after representing the Māori All Stars three times.
Kiwis head coach Stacey Jones has included the grand finalists in a potent combination which draws on an experienced pack
From the last Kiwis game against Toa Samoa Captain James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota are the same starting props with Briton Nikora and Isaiah Papali'i in the second row and vice-captain Joseph Tapine at loose forward.
The only player missing is Knights hooker Phoenix Crossland, ruled out through suspension; he's replaced by Dolphins dummy half Jeremy Marshall-King.
Jones has also named the same interchange combination from the victory over Samoa with Te Maire Martin joining middle forwards Naufahu Whyte, Erin Clark and Xavier Willison.
With Ponga coming into the side, Keano Kini moves onto the extended bench while Ronaldo Multialo returns on the left wing after being injured in the opening match of last year's Pacific series against Samoa.
Gagai is paired in the centres with Casey McLean with halfback Jahrome Hughes back in the Kiwi jersey for the first time since 2023.
Wearing the no.6 jersey will be Kodi Nikorima, the longest-serving Kiwi in the squad who debuted in 2015.
Kiwi Ferns
The Kiwi Ferns have named an accomplished side for their first match of the World Cup against the Fiji Bulikula.
It will be a fierce battle at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday as the two sides test each other in their first-ever encounter.
"Our focus this week is on the basics; run hard, strong defence and make sure every play is properly executed. That's what is going to set us up well for Fiji, but also build a strong foundation for the weeks to come," Kiwi Ferns head coach Ricky Henry said.
Henry has also built a strong foundation for his first squad, naming four players already seasoned in the Rugby League World Cup arena; co-captains Georgia Hale and Raecene McGregor, Apii Nicholls and former World Cup winner with Australia, Shannon Mato, who this year switched allegiance to honour her birth country, New Zealand.
"Getting the chance to debut this weekend, I know I'm going to get very emotional," Mato said.
"I never thought this day would ever come, because of the rules, but I'm just grateful that God led me to this pathway, and I get to enjoy it with all my loved ones. I think it's a huge achievement for myself… It's a sense of belonging for me, and I'm really excited."
Alongside Whangarei-born Mato in the forwards is NRLW champion Otesa Pule, Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa at lock, and back rowers Annessa Biddle and former Cook Islands international Kaiyah Atai.
Also swapping allegiance from Australia, five-eighth Zahara Temara, earns her first start in the black jersey to create an impressive spine alongside Nicholls, McGregor, and Hale.
Former Sevens star Stacey Waaka will make her debut on the left wing with Canberra Raiders Player of the Year Leianne Tufuga on the right, alongside experienced centres Mele Hufanga and Abigail Roache.
Bringing impact off the bench will be Ashleigh Quinlan, Alexis Tauaneai, Ivana Lauitiiti and Brianna Clark, with Brooke Anderson as 18th-man.
"We're expecting a physical challenge on Sunday from Fiji, so we'll need to stick to our systems," Henry said.
"This year, we are lucky to have a wealth of footy IQ and experience in the group, which will be key in the high-pressure moments of this tournament."
Kiwis v Australia 1 Kalyn Ponga 2 Jamayne Isaako 3 Dane Gagai 4 Casey Mclean 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo 6 Kodi Nikorima 7 Jahrome Hughes 8 James Fisher-Harris 9 Jeremy Marshall-King 10 Moses Leota 11 Isaiah Papali'i 12 Briton Nikora 13 Joseph Tapine 14 Te Maire Martin 15 Naufahu Whyte 16 Erin Clark 17 Xavier Willison 18 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 19 Keano Kini 20 Scott Sorensen 21 Leo Thompson 22 Jacob Laban
Kiwi Ferns v Fiji
1. Apii Nicholls 2. Leianne Tufuga 3. Mele Hufanga 4. Abigail Roache 5. Stacey Waaka* 6. Zahara Temara 7. Raecene McGregor 8. Otesa Pule 9. Georgia Hale 10. Shannon Mato* 11. Annessa Biddle 12. Kaiyah Atai 13. Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa 14. Ashleigh Quinlan 15. Alexis Tauaneai 16. Ivana Lauitiiti 17. Brianna Clark 18. Brooke Anderson
