Mal Meninga is expected to stick with the same spine that got the job done against Tonga, with the Kangaroos coach hoping for more attacking cohesion in New Zealand.
Martin Gabor
Sydney Roosters hard man Lindsay Collins is out for redemption after letting himself down the last time Australia played New Zealand.
Jasper Bruce
Brisbane CEO Dave Donaghy has told his players they must grow up and has refused to guarantee Ezra Mam's future at the NRL club.
Scott Bailey
Shaun Johnson says he'll play without feeling pressure after coming out of retirement for injury-hit New Zealand in rugby league's Pacific Championship.
Jillaroos players expect Ali Brigginshaw's early return from finger surgery to be crucial as they attempt to get revenge on New Zealand.
Ex-NRL player Arana Taumata is in jail on remand after he was arrested outside a popular Sydney eastern suburbs pub on Saturday night.
Steve Zemek
Papua New Guinea's mix of Queensland Cup players and Super League journeymen have helped the Kumuls shock Fiji 22-10 in the Pacific Bowl opener in Suva.
Evania Pelite has starred in her first match since switching from Australia to Samoa, leading her side to a 30-16 win over arch-rivals Tonga in Fiji.
Brisbane five-eighth Ezra Mam is facing an NRL investigation after allegedly driving unlicensed and returning a positive drug test after being in a collision.
Penrith recruit Blaize Talagi will pick Jarome Luai's brain as he eyes the Panthers five-eighth spot once held by the Samoa captain.
Mal Meninga will toss up his selection options to face New Zealand after the Kangaroos shut out Tonga 18-0 to begin the Pacific Championships in Brisbane.
Murray Wenzel
Australia have shut out Tonga 18-0 in Brisbane to deny the visitors a fairytale second straight win against the Kangaroos.
The Jillaroos have piled on 17 tries, Julia Robinson notching a record six of her own, in an 84-0 romp over Papua New Guinea to begin the Pacific Championships.
Laurie Daley says his passion still burns for NSW, with the Canberra legend viewed as a genuine option to return as Blues State of Origin coach in 2025.
The Warriors have locked down Dallin Watene-Zelezniak until the end of the 2027 season with the winger signing a two-year contract extension.
After making his return to the NRL, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is set to earn a maiden Samoan cap on the Test tour of England.
Emerging PNG centre Rodrick Tai says Sam Burgess' coaching skills have helped him fulfil a dream of making it as a professional rugby league player.
George Clarke
Tom Dearden and Mitch Moses have been tasked with pulling the strings of a Kangaroos side with plenty to prove in the Pacific Championships.
First-time Kangaroos captain Isaah Yeo will lead a team featuring six debutants into battle against a confident Tonga to begin the Pacific Championships.
NRL young gun Sandon Smith is set to face court after being charged with negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.
Scott Bailey and Alex Mitchell
Original Orchid Cathy Neap sees the side's clash with Australia at Suncorp Stadium as another great leap for the fast-developing rugby league side.
Kristian Woolf says the Dolphins are always keen to negotiate with players like Ben Hunt but have not yet made contact with the St George Illawarra halfback.
Jasper Bruce and Murray Wenzel
Long-time Tongan coach Kristian Woolf has had flashbacks to 2019 as he prepares his side for what will likely be his last campaign in charge.
When he called Kezie Apps a month ago, Jillaroos coach Brad Donald was shocked to hear that the second-rower was tracking to play in the Pacific Championships.