The market isn’t live for this one at time of writing (Thursday morning AEDT) but I’m tipping Fiji will start as heavy, heavy favourites.
While both the Bulikula and Moana enjoy a sprinkling of NRLW talent here, the Fijiian spine of Cassie Staples, Losana Lutu, Sereana Aitokatoka and Talei Holmes will cause some issues for a Cook Islands squad that will rely on mostly reserve grade talent.
There’s two big bodies up front for the Moana who will likely feature in any highlight reel moments they produce; Raiders powerhouse Kerehitina Matua regularly made a mockery of edge defenders this NRLW season while April Ngatupuna returns to league after playing Union for the Reds this year.
The Bulikula won’t make it easy for them, however.
Staples was immense at fullback for Cronulla this season and a big part of their 2025 NRLW Grand Final push while I’ve long been high on Lutu as the best young playmaker in the women’s game.
Throw in the work rate of Holmes at lock and Naitokatoka’s running threat from dummy-half and this is Fiji’s game to lose.
The market has found another firm favourite in the Fiji Bati here but there’s a case to be made for this Cook Islands squad.
Esan Masters was immense the last time he pulled on an Aitu jersey and will presumably be a key contributor for the Cook Islands attack again here. Beside him at the scrumbase is the familiar face of Brad Takairangi who, while not a genuine half, has experience steering this side around the field.
Up front, established names like Tepai Moeroa, Davvy Moale and Zane Tetevano are proven big bodies who will be tasked with meeting Fiji’s fire with fire.
Last week’s loss to PNG confirmed what we thought we knew about this Fiji Bati side.
Powerful in the backfield and through the middle, their lack of footy IQ in the spine cost them in good ball against the Kumuls.
Kurt Donoghue had some nice involvements early but didn’t consistently take the right options once fatigue set in, while his fellow ‘half’ Kevin Naqama finished up with 33 touches but was scarcely involved until the dying stages.
I’m expecting Fiji to play a little more through Naqama and their right edge in this one.
The Cook Island’s edges won’t be as connected as the Kumuls were last week and I’m expecting the Bati to find a few more points here as a result.
That being said, the Aitu are more than capable of producing a few highlight reel moments and keeping this close.
The Jillaroos are fresh off an historic 80-point thumping of PNG but don’t let that fool you, they’re still deserving favourites here in Round 2 but face a much sterner test against one of the strongest Kiwi Ferns sides I’ve ever seen.
There are genuine game breakers everywhere you look in this New Zealand outfit
Mele Hufanga (the most dynamic attacking centre in the NRLW) and Abigail Roache (one of the best defensive centres) lurk on the edges while Wests powerhouse Leianne Tufunga and Knights workhorse Shanice Parker deputise on the wings.
Through the middle, Amber Hall, Brianna Clark and Georgia Hale are all experienced heads while Dragons duo Alexis Tauaneai and Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa currently rank as two of the best young forwards in the women’s game.
All those moving pieces will revolve around five-eighth Gayle Broughton on Sunday afternoon.
The Broncos playmaker is an instinctive triple threat (think Cody Walker in the men’s game) who lines up opposite her club halves partner Ali Brigginshaw in this one.
How Brigginshaw handles Broughton, Hufanga and Hall will be a deciding factor and it’s where I think the Kiwi Ferns will send most of their traffic here.
For the Jillaroos, expect them to target Annessa Biddle defending in the backrow and the Broughton – Hufanga pairing on New Zealand’s left edge.
The unavailable list for the Mens New Zealand side almost reads as a first-choice rep team but they will still roll out a dynamic forward rotation here.
We saw Tonga trouble the Kangaroos through the middle of the field last week and that’s undoubtedly where the Kiwis will look to play again in this one.
Phoenix Crossland isn’t a flashy dummy-half but he brings his forwards onto the ball and will help the Kiwis play up-and-down in yardage (expect Kodi Nikorima to enjoy a few running involvements if he does indeed play off the bench in a hooking role).
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is another forced change at #6 that also suggests a fairly simple attacking approach from the Kiwis; CNK is not a genuine ballplayer and will more than likely get busy as an extra ball carrier in exit sets before New Zealand’s right edge fall into good-ball shape.
On paper, it’s Shaun Johnson, Matt Timoko, Keano Kini, Isaiah Papali’i and Jamayne Isaako who will be tasked with scoring the Kiwis points.
We saw what Kini did for the Titans in a breakout season this year; constantly challenging the line with a genuine pass, kick or run option down the right edge in good-ball.
Outside him on Sunday will be Timoko and Isaako – both a handful one-on-one close to the line – while Papali’i looms as a sneaky point-of-difference running off SJ’s hip…
The Kangaroos attack was a little clunky last week, as expected.
Their small forwards didn’t win a heap of ruck speed against a hulking Tongan pack and when they did, an unfamiliar spine of Tom Dearden, Mitch Moses and Dylan Edwards missed their timing on a few occasions.
They should be improved here and will rely on the class on their edges to again be the difference.
Written by Oscar Pannifex | RLWAPPAREL.COM