NRL Pacific Championship 2024 final teams: Cameron Murray injury hands Kangaroos debut to Lindsay Smith

A two-time premiership winning Panther is set to cap off a stellar season with a Kangaroos debut in the Pacific Championships final, after Cameron Murray was ruled out.

Two-time premiership winner Lindsay Smith will cap an incredible couple of years when he makes his Test debut in Sunday’s Pacific Cup final for Australia against Tonga’s formidable forward pack.

Smith has come off the bench in each of Penrith’s past two grand final wins, and he will again be asked to provide some punch midway through the first half after the Kangaroos were forced to make a key change in the forwards.

South Sydney skipper Cameron Murray will miss the final with a serious wrist injury which sees Hudson Young promoted into the starting side in the back row.

Lindsay Smith has been rewarded with a Test debut after winning back-to-back titles with Penrith. Picture: Getty Images

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has decided to bring Smith in against a Tongan side that could get Keaon Koloamatangi back after he was named in the reserves.

They’ve named an unchanged 17 from the side that shocked New Zealand 25-24 last week to book their spot in the final in Sydney, with the Kiwis looking to avoid relegation when they face PNG later that evening.

The Jillaroos are looking to avenge their loss to the Kiwi Ferns in last year’s final and have named a very strong side to tackle New Zealand on Sunday afternoon.

Olivia Higgins has been named at hooker despite dislocating her wrist a fortnight ago, with doctors able to put it back in place immediately.

There is one change on the bench with Keeley Davis brought into the side. Jess Sergis drops out of the 17, while Quincy Dodd was unable to recover from the quad strain that she suffered in the win over PNG last month.

Murray’s injury sees Hudson Young come into the starting side for Australia, while Smith comes off the bench. Picture: Getty Images

PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS 2024

WOMEN’S PACIFIC BOWL PROMOTION-RELEGATION MATCH

Sunday November 10, 11:35am at Commbank Stadium, Parramatta

PNG

1. Shae Yvonne De La Cruz 2. Jenny Wesley 3. Belinda Gwasamun 4. Leila Kerowa 5. Lyiannah Allan 6. Sera Koroi 7. Ua Ravu 8. Elsie Albert 9. Therese Aiton 10. Essay Banu 11. Sareka Mooka 12. Emily Veivers 13. Gloria Kaupa 1

Interchange: 4. Delailah Ahose 15. Jessikah Reeves 16. Yolanda Taute 17. Mala Mark

Reserves: 18. Talitha Kunjil 19. Meli Joe 20. Lilah Malabag 21. Roswita Kapo

Samoa

14. Jetaya Faifua 2. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala 3. Lindsay Tui 4. Sarina Masaga 5. Jessica Patea 6. Tavarna Papalii 7. Pauline Piliae 8. Annetta Nuuausala 9. Destiny Brill 12. Christian Pio 11. Monalisa Soliola 17. Evah McEwen 13. Sienna Lofipo

Interchange: 15. Simone Karpani 16. Pihuka Berryman-Duff 18. Jasmine Fogavini 20. Viena Tinao

Reserves: 21. Ella-Jaye Harrison-Leaunoa 22. Claudia Brown 25. Tafao Asaua

WOMEN’S PACIFIC CUP FINAL

Sunday November 10, 11:50pm at Commbank Stadium, Parramatta

Australia

1. Tamika Upton 2. Julia Robinson 3. Isabelle Kelly 4. Tiana Penitani 5. Jakiya Whitfeld 6. Ali Brigginshaw 7. Tarryn Aiken 8. Millie Elliott 9. Olivia Higgins 10. Shannon Mato 11. Kezie Apps 12. Yasmin Clydsdale 13. Simaima Taufa

Interchange: 14. Keeley Davis 15. Sarah Togatuki 16. Keilee Joseph 17. Mahalia Murphy

Reserves: 18. Jessica Sergis 19. Jessika Elliston 20. Abbi Church 21. Jesse Southwell

New Zealand

1. Apii Nicholls 2. Leianne Tufuga 3. Mele Hufanga 4. Abigail Roache 5. Shanice Parker 6. Gayle Broughton 7. Tyla King 8. Brianna Clark 9. Brooke Anderson 10. Angelina Teakaraanga Katoa 11. Annessa Biddle 12. Amber Hall 13. Georgia Hale

Interchange: 14. Ash Quinlan 15. Najvada George 16. Alexis Tauaneai 17. Otesa Pule

Reserves: 18. Tiana Davison 19. Mackenzie Wiki 20. Cheyelle Robins-Reti 21. Brooke Talataina

MEN’S PACIFIC CUP FINAL

Sunday Novermber 10, 4:05pm Commbank Stadium, Parramatta

Australia

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Xavier Coates 3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 4. Tom Trbojevic 5. Zac Lomax 6. Tom Dearden 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Harry Grant 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Hudson Young 13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange: 14. Matt Burton 15. Mitchell Barnett 16. Reuben Cotter 17. Lindsay Smith

Reserves: 18. Ben Hunt 19. Bradman Best 20. Reece Robson

Tonga

1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Moses 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

Interchange: 14. Soni Luke 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Taniela Paseka 17. Siua Wong

Reserves: 18. Tolutau Koula 19. Keaon Koloamatangi 20. Isaiah Iongi 21. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

MEN’S PACIFIC BOWL PROMOTION-RELEGATION MATCH

Sunday November 10, 6:20pm Commbank Stadium, Parramatta

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

Interchange: 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Griffin Neame 16. Marata Niukore 17. Leo Thompson

Reserves: 18. Erin Clark 19. Jordan Riki 20. Casey McLean 21. Trent Toelau

PNG

1. Nene Macdonald 2. Elijah Roltinga 3. Robert Mathias 4. Rodrick Tai 5. Robert Derby 6. Kyle Laybutt 7. Lachlan Lam 8. Valentine Richard 9. Liam Horne 10. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 11. Rhyse Martin 12. Jeremiah Simbiken 13. Jack de Belin

Interchange: 14. Judah Rimbu 15. Koso Bandi 16. Sylvester Namo 17. Ila Alu

Reserves: 18. Dan Russell 19. Morea Morea 20. Sanny Wabo 21. Benji Kot

KANGAROOS TO KANGA-BOOS: AUSSIES TO FEEL LIKE OUTSIDERS ON HOME TURF

—Dean Ritchie

The Kangaroos could become the kanga-boos right here in Australia due to the emotional emergence of “Tonga-matta.”

A remarkable surge in ticket sales has passionate Tongan fans ready to decorate western Sydney red and white for Sunday’s Pacific Championships final at Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium.

Who said the Western Reds were dead?

This masthead can reveal 6000 tickets were sold within hours of Tonga’s famous win over New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday night, sending the small Pacific nation into the final against Australia.

It even led to an appeal from International Rugby League chairman Troy Grant for Australian fans to avoid an all-red whitewash.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 18: Tongan fans show their support during the men's 2024 Pacific Championships match between Australia Kangaroos and Tonga at Suncorp Stadium on October 18, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

“There’s a possibility that a New World Order in rugby league is on own doorstep with Parramatta likely to turn into Tonga-matta on Sunday,” Grant said.

“I’m calling on all Aussie supporters to ensure that the local stadium isn’t more red and white than green and gold – which is a likely reality at this stage.”

Imagine the awkwardness if Australia’s much-loved stars ran out for a final in their homeland only to be met with jeers?

Early data indicates there could be more Tongan fans at CommBank Stadium than Australian supporters.

“It will be a sea of red again and I reckon it’s awesome, I really do. The Tongan community love supporting their team. The noise and whole atmosphere will be amazing. They love cheering and getting loud. They have some of the best forwards in the world,” said Kangaroo star Ben Hunt.

Given Saturday night’s sales surge came just after Tonga’s famous win over New Zealand, officials have no doubt that most of the 6000 tickets were snapped up to excited Tongan fans.

Around 25,000 to 27,000 fans are expected at the game although there could be a sellout if Tongan fans continue their ticket frenzy.

Tongan fans are expected to pack CommBank Stadium on Sydney. Picture: Getty Images

Tonga is known to have considerable support in western Sydney with league fans primed for a wild and highly emotional evening.

“I’m not sure there’s a better fan base than the Tongans and I can’t wait to see the sea of red and white fill the stadium,” Grant said.

“I couldn’t be happier for (Tonga coach) Kristian Woolf and his squad and I believe the final will be epic.”

Tongan fans are already preparing for their nation’s moving and raw pre-match war cry called the Sipi Tau this Sunday.

“The Pacific Championships is becoming the biggest international sporting event in the region,” said NRL CEO Andrew Abdo. “It is the perfect opportunity for fans to experience something entirely new as well as seeing the best players in our game representing their country on the international stage.”

Woolf added: “The fans, the way they turn out, the way they support this team, they are so proud of the team and the efforts they put in, and I am just as proud,”

Tonga led New Zealand 24-0 until a Kiwi fightback levelled the scores before a late field goal to 20-year-old Isaiya Katoa gave the Tongans a dramatic 25-24 win.

It was an epic game of Test football.

“This is unforgettable,” said Tonga captain Addin Fonua-Blake. “We wanted to fight fire with fire.”

Players from both sides were seen crying during their respective pre-game national anthems.

Originally published as NRL Pacific Championship 2024 final teams: Cameron Murray injury hands Kangaroos debut to Lindsay Smith