This week we have a big weekend of international rugby league with the highlight being Australia's clash with the Kiwis on Friday night. This time last year the Kiwis upset the new-look Kangaroos and Australia will be keen to avoid a similar outcome.
Aside from the main event we'll see a Junior Kangaroos team that is stacked with future stars of the game, while a strong Tongan Invitational team will clash with Great Britain on Saturday. Add to that the trans-Tasman rivalry between the women's teams and there will be something for every rugby league fan.
Friday, October 25
Jnr Kangaroos vs. France, WIN Stadium, Wollongong, 3:10pm (AEDT)
Jnr Kangaroos: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2. Campbell Graham, 3. Curtis Scott, 4. Brad Parker, 5. Reuben Garrick, 6. Kalyn Ponga, 7. Brodie Croft, 8. Corey Horsburgh, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Thomas Flegler, 11. David Fifita, 12. Angus Crichton, 13. Victor Radley. Reserves: 14. AJ Brimson, 15. Nat Butcher, 16. Emre Guler, 17. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, 18. Paul Momirovski
France: 1. Thomas Lasvenes 2. Gavin Marguerite 3. Arthur Romano 4. Vincent Albert 5. Paul Marcon 6. Hakim Miloudi 7. Lucas Albert 8. Maxime Puech 9. Charles Bouzinac 10. Lambert Belmas 11. Paul Seguier 12. Jordan Dezaria 13. Romain Navarrete (c) Reserves: 14. Mathieu Jussaume 15. Bastien Canet 16. Arnaud Bartes 17. Justin Sangare 18. Joan Guasch 19. Arthur Mourgue 20. Louis Jouffret 21. Matthieu Khedimi
Verdict: What is worse than facing a rugby league powerhouse when you are a rugby league minnow? Facing the future of a rugby league powerhouse. This Junior Kangaroos team is bristling with future international superstars. A lot of them are already stars of the NRL. They're young, keen to impress and absolutey fearless. The French might end up wishing they had played the senior Kangaroos side.
Tip: Junior Kangaroos
TAB odds: Jnr Kangaroos SUSP (-36.5 $1.90) France $21 (+36.5 $1.90)
Jillaroos vs. Kiwi Ferns, WIN Stadium, Wollongong, 5:50pm (AEDT)
Jillaroos: 1 Corban McGregor, 2 Tiana Penitani, 3 Jess Sergis, 4 Isabelle Kelly, 5 Shakiah Tungai, 6 Kirra Dibb, 7 Ali Brigginshaw (c), 8 Simaima Taufa, 9 Keeley Davis, 10 Millie Boyle, 11 Kezie Apps, 12 Annette Brander, 13 Hannah Southwell, Reserves: 14 Botille Vette-Welsh, 15 Chelsea Lenarduzzi, 16 Holli Wheeler, 17 Tallisha Harden, 18 Caitlan Johnston, 19 Julia Robinson,
Kiwi Ferns: 1 Apii Nicholls, 2 Kiana Takairangi, 3 Honey Hireme, 4 Jules Newman, 5 Atawhai Tupaea, 6 Charntay Poko, 7 Raecene McGregor, 8 Annetta Nuuausala, 9 Krystal Rota, 10 Amber Paris-Hall, 11 Onjeurlina Leiataua, 12 Crystal Tamarua, 13 Georgia Hale, Reserves: 14 Nita Maynard, 15 Teuila Fotu-Moala, 16 Billy-Jean Ale, 17 Maitua Feterika, 18 Madison Bartlett, 19 Kanyon Paul, 20 Aieshaleigh Smalley
Verdict: The Australian women will still be smarting after losing the final of the Rugby League World Cup 9s to New Zealand. This will be their chance to reassert their dominance on the world stage. The Ferns will be keen to keep the momentum going. Australia should have the Kiwis covered across the backline.
Tip: Jillaroos
TAB odds: Jillaroos $1.27 (-8.5 $1.90) Kiwi Ferns $3.75 (+8.5 $1.95)
Australia vs. New Zealand, WIN Stadium, Wollongong, 8:10pm (AEDT)
Australia: 1. James Tedesco 2. Josh Addo-Carr 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Jack Wighton 5. Nick Cotric 6. Cameron Munster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Josh Papalii 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Tyson Frizell 13. Jake Trbojevic Reserves: 14. Ben Hunt 15. Payne Haas 16. Paul Vaughan 17. Wade Graham 18. Cameron Murray
New Zealand: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Ken Maumalo 3. Charnze Nicoll-klokstad 4. Joseph Manu 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Shaun Johnson 7. Benji Marshall 8. Leeson Ah Mau 9. Brandon Smith 10. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 11. Briton Nikora 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Adam Blair Reserves: 14. Jahrome Hughes 15. Zane Tetevano 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Corey Harawira-Naera 18. Kevin Proctor 19. Bailey Simonsson 20. Kodi Nikorima 21. Isaiah Papalii
Verdict: New Zealand won this clash last year and the Australians are looking similarly vulnerable as they reconfigure their line-up in the post Smith/Thurston/Slater era. The Kangaroos spine is half New South Wales and half Queensland with no club combinations in the four either. So a lot will be riding on how well Tedesco, Munster and Cherry-Evans combine with Cook. The Kiwis have dusted off the history books to name Benji Marshall at halfback to face Australia for the first time in almost eight years. It will be interesting to see how the veteran copes with the rigours of Test rugby league. This could be a thrilling Test.
Tip: Australia
TAB odds: Australia $1.27 (-11.5 $1.85) New Zealand $3.80 (+11.5 $1.95)
Saturday, October 26
Tonga Invitational XIII vs. Great Britain, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, 6:00pm (AEDT)
Tonga Invitational XIII: 1. Will Hopoate 2. David Fusitua 3. Michael Jennings 4. Kotoni Staggs 5. Daniel Tupou 6. Tuimoala Lolohea 7. Ata Hingano 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Siliva Havili 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Ben Murdoch-Masila 12. Manu Ma'u 13. Jason Taumalolo Reserves: 14. Sione Katoa 15. Addin Fonua-Blake 16. John Asiata 17. Sitili Tupouniua 18. Junior Tatola 19. Konrad Hurrell 20. Fanitesi Niu
Great Britain: 1. Lachlan Coote 2. Jermaine McGillvary 3. Zak Hardaker 4. Oliver Gildart 5. Ryan Hall 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Chris Hill 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Luke Thompson 11. John Bateman 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. James Graham Reserves: 14. Josh Jones 15. Thomas Burgess 16. Jonny Lomax 17. Alex Walmsley 18. Jake Connor 19. Jack Hughes 20. George Williams 21. Daryl Clark
Verdict: With politics preventing Tonga from being an official Test side, there will be a lot of players fired up to make a point in this one. This side is full of NRL first graders and should play an exciting brand of football, with some of the game's best ball runners on show. Great Britain has former Australian Lachlan Coote at fullback and Jackson Hastings wearing the No.7. They have Gareth Widdop at five-eighth and Josh Hodgson at hooker, so its a very interesting spine combination. The clash of the forward packs alone will make this one well worth watching.
Tip: Tonga Invitational XIII
TAB odds: Tonga Invitational $2.10 (+2.5 $1.80) Great Britain $1.75 (-2.5 $2.00)