Men
Super League stars earn international call-ups
9 Oct 2024
While there’s still the eagerly anticipated Betfred Super League Grand Final taking place this weekend, squad announcements have started for international Rugby League in the northern and southern hemispheres this autumn - featuring a number of Super League stars!
First, John Asiata and Ricky Leutele have been included in a star-studded Samoa squad that will travel to the UK to take on England in a historic two-test international series.
The pair - who helped Leigh Leopards reach the Super League Play-Off Semi-Finals for the first time in the club’s history – are amongst a host of big names set to feature for Samoa in the ABK international test series at The Brick Community Stadium in Wigan on Sunday 27 October and AMT Headingley Stadium in Leeds on Saturday 2 November. Tickets are available here!
?? Congratulations @j_asiata & @rickyleutele!
— Leigh Leopards (@LeighLeopardsRL) October 9, 2024
Called up to the Samoa squad for the England test series pic.twitter.com/X4LkT1beTf
We could also see incoming Leeds Rhinos forward Keenan Palasia in this month's Test series, who has also been named in Ben Gardiner's Samoa squad.
The Pacific Championships will also get underway this month. The international tournament Down Under will see Australia, New Zealand and Tonga take part in the premier Pacific Cup competition, while Papa New Guinea, Fiji and the Cook Islands will compete for the Pacific Bowl title.
And there will be plenty of Super League presence, including Hull KR star Peta Hiku, who has earned a call-up to Stacey Jones’ New Zealand side – becoming the first Super League player to be named in their international squad in seven years.
Hiku becomes the first player to be selected while playing in Super League since Wigan Warriors’ Tommy Leuluai was included in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
Ever-present Hiku has been heroic for Robins in 2024 – playing a pivotal role in helping them secure a famous top two finish.
The versatile playmaker tops his club’s stats with 15 tries, 13 try assists and 4,969 metres and is a proven threat to his opponents. Who's excited to see how he will go for New Zealand in the upcoming weeks?
The first Betfred Super League player to be named in the New Zealand squad in seven years ??
— Hull KR (@hullkrofficial) October 8, 2024
Well done, Peta ?#UpTheRobins??? pic.twitter.com/UA4yKMNT8l
Huddersfield Giants’ Tui Lolohea is among Tonga’s star-studded squad having caught the eye of head coach Kristian Woolf, while Esan Marsters, who will join Salford Red Devils for 2025, could be set to feature for the Cook Islands.
Lolohea was one of the Giants’ top try scorers and top try assister in the 2024 campaign, with Marsters emerging as their top metre maker with a whooping 3,538 metres.
?? Lesss'gooooo!#CowbellArmy ?? • @TuiLolohea https://t.co/rYQ5uai0BC pic.twitter.com/rlyXdxBLwT
— Huddersfield Giants ?? (@Giantsrl) October 8, 2024
And there is a recall to the Fiji squad for their former teammate Kevin Naiqama, who will represent his country for the first time since the last Rugby League World Cup in 2022.
Naiqama, who has a wealth of NRL experience and enjoyed an array of success at St Helens in the 2019-2021 seasons, has most recently made over 50 appearances for Huddersfield Giants. He has since left the club upon the conclusion of their campaign.
Similarly, Waqa Blake has also been included in Fiji's squad. Although he has since departed the Saints, the centre was a regular in Paul Wellens' side this season, scoring 11 tries.
Ben Nakubuwai and Joe Lovodua, who have played for Leigh Leopards and Hull FC respectively, have also earned a call-up.
Elsewhere on the international scene, Castleford Tigers’ Liam Horne will take on the role of vice-captain for the PNG (Prime Minister’s XIII) side, who will face Australia (Prime Minister’s XIII) in the competition’s curtain-raiser.
? Congratulations to Liam Horne who has been named Vice Captain for the PNG Kumuls side this weekend!
— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) October 8, 2024
???…#COYF pic.twitter.com/PcAObJNjpT
He will play alongside Tigers teammate Sylvester Namo - they both have been present in the PNG side in recent years.
Dan Russell, who is joining Warrington Wolves in 2025, has also been included and has already represented his country 10 times.
