Papua New Guinea Kumuls at training at Albert Park in Suva. 16 October 2024 Photo: Supplied / PNG Kumuls Media
The Papua New Guinea Kumuls and Fetu Samoa women's team are eyeing wins in the Pacific Bowl campaign when competition kicks off in Suva.
The Kumuls will tackle the Fijian Bati in the opening men's match, while the Samoans face Tonga in an all Polynesia battle.
Both teams were at Suva's Albert Park on Wednesday, working on their game plans.
Kumuls' assistant coach Paul Aiton told RNZ Pacific they are focused on their own game, knowing the Fijians will be tough to beat at home.
Seventeen PNG Hunters players in the squad combine with others who ply their trade in Australia and the United Kingdom.
Captain Rhyse Martin, Judah Rimbu, Valentine Richard, Liam Horne, Lachlan Lam and Kylie Laybutt are key players for the side.
Aiton said getting the players to work together and gel is critical, especially as some players joined the side this week after the rugby league clash against the Australians in Port Moresby last weekend.
"We have a few from the UK that have come over," he said.
"I think the big positive for us is the inclusion of players from the PNG Hunters. From the 30-member squad 17 are Hunters players and this is a big boost for the local boys and the game back home."
Aiton said their focus is starting well and winning Saturday's clash but he believes it will be a tough match.
"It's a really important game. Our focus is just focusing on ourselves and the things we can control."
The Kumuls defeated Fiji last year at home.
The Fijians were on a break on Wednesday and visited Fijian President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere to present their traditional sevusevu.
Papua New Guinea Kumuls at training at Albert Park in Suva. 16 October 2024 Photo: Supplied / PNG Kumuls Media
Samoa aim for world cup
The Fetu Samoa women's team are aiming to qualify for the Rugby League World Cup.
It means they must win against Tonga, setting their plan on track.
Head coach Jamie Soward said they are focused on their game and working out a counter against what he expects to be a physical Tongan side.
"The first thing we look at is building combinations quickly," Soward said.
"But also, how defensively we are going to go after the ball when we don't have it.
"It's looking at what we want to do with the ball as well as how we work defensively.
"Tonga will be physical, powerful pack and have some classy, elusive backs."
He said winning against Tonga will set them on track to qualify for the world cup.
"The aim is for us to win this game," he said.
"This is such a big game and if we win that sets us to qualify for the world cup and we will treat this as our last game."
The two sides meet on Saturday evening before the match between the PNG Kumuls and the Fijian Bati.
Both Samoa and Tonga have named their line-ups, featuring players who had played in the women's NRL competition.
Soward said that makes the game interesting as most of the players know each other.