The NRL season might be done and dusted, but there's still plenty of rugby league to enjoy this year with the Pacific Championships getting underway this weekend.
New Zealand will kick off their campaign on home soil as they take on Samoa in a blockbuster clash, while Fiji and Cook Islands will square off in the first match of the Pacific Bowl.
The Sporting News provides all the latest team news for the opening week of the Pacific Championships.
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Fiji vs. Cook Islands
(Saturday, October 18 at Santos National Football Stadium, 4:00pm AEDT)
Fiji confirmed team:
1. Jahream Bula
2. Sunia Turuva
3. Semi Valemei
4. Michael Jennings
5. Jethro Rinakama
6. Kurt Donoghoe
7. Brandon Wakeham
8. Tui Kamikamica
9. Peni Tagituimua
10. Michael Waqa
11. Taane Milne
12. Kitione Kautoga
13. Caleb Navale
14. Terrell Kalo Kalo
15. Solomone Saukuru
16. Keresi Maya
17. Kylan Mafoa
18. Ronald Philitoga
19. Akuila Qoro
20. Gabriel Tunimakubu
Bati team news:
Jahream Bula will start at fullback and is the undoubted star player for the Bati this year due to the absences of Api Koroisau and Viliame Kikau.
Bula's club teammate Sunia Turuva will line up on the wing, with Bulldogs prospect Jethro Rinakama getting the nod on the other flank.
Semi Valemei will play in the centres, while the other vacant spot in the backline has been taken by veteran Michael Jennings.
Solomone Saukuru would have been another contender to feature in the centres, but he must settle for a place on the bench for his debut.
Kurt Donoghoe and Brandon Wakeham are the best options for the halves and will partner together during the tournament.
Tui Kamikamica has been named as the side's captain and will start up front, with Michael Waqa named alongside him.
Peni Tagituimua is the standout candidate at hooker and grabs the No.9 jersey, with support provided by debutant Terrell Kalo Kalo.
Kitione Kautoga will feature on one edge after overcoming a leg injury, while Taane Milne will join him in the backrow. Manly forward Caleb Navale starts at lock.
Meanwhile, there are places on the bench for Keresi Maya and Kylan Mafoa.
Ronald Philitoga enjoyed an impressive campaign for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls, scoring 11 tries in 14 games while stationed on the wing. Due to the tough competition in the backline, he is only listed as 18th man.
Former Super League forward Ben Kanubuwai was named in the squad, but there is no sign of him for the opening fixture.
Cook Islands confirmed team:
1. Esan Marsters
2. Paul Ulberg
3. KL Iro
4. Reubenn Rennie
5. Esom Ioka
6. Brad Takairangi
7. Cassius Cowley
8. Makahesi Makatoa
9. Mason Teague
10. Tepai Moeroa
11. Brendan Piakura
12. Reuben Porter
13. Pride Petterson-Robati
14. Ruatapu Ngatikaura
16. Brody Tamarua
17. Rhys Dakin
18. Delahia Wigmore
19. Teapo Stoltman
20. Justin Makirere
Aitu team news:
Esan Marsters has been handed the No.1 jersey, with the veteran joined by the side's star player, KL Iro.
Toulouse Olympique pair Paul Ulberg and Reubenn Rennie are also featured in the backline, with Delahia Wigmore overlooked despite impressing in the centres during last year's Pacific Championships.
Veteran Brad Takairangi played at five-eighth for the national side last year and gets the nod again. This time he is joined in the halves by Wynnum-Manly Seagulls playmaker Cassius Cowley.
Makahesi Makatoa and Tepai Moeroa make up an experienced front row, while Mason Teague has edged ahead of Ruatapu Ngatikaura for the No.9 jersey.
Brendan Piakura starts in the backrow with Reuben Porter occupying the other edge. Pride Petterson-Robati will play at lock.
Brody Tamarua has beaten his Norths Devils teammate Justin Makirere for a place on the bench. He is joined on the pine by Rhys Dakin.
Marata Niukore and Davvy Moale were both named in the initial squad for the Cook Islands but are absent.
New Zealand vs. Samoa
(Sunday, October 19 at Go Media Stadium, 4:05pm AEDT)
New Zealand confirmed team:
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Matt Timoko
4. Casey McLean
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Dylan Brown
7. Kieran Foran
8. James Fisher-Harris
9. Jeremy Marshall-King
10. Moses Leota
11. Briton Nikora
12. Isaiah Papali'i
13. Joseph Tapine
14. Phoenix Crossland
15. Naufahu Whyte
16. Erin Clark
17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
18. Xavier Willison
19. Keano Kini
20. Scott Sorensen
21. Sebastian Kris
Kiwis team news:
Stacey Jones faces a major decision at fullback, with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Keano Kini competing for the No.1 jersey. For the opening test, the coach has opted to go with CNK.
Matt Timoko and Casey McLean have been named in the centres, while Jamayne Isaako and Ronaldo Mulitalo will line up on the wings. Sebastian Kris has been overlooked for a spot in the backline.
Dylan Brown will start at five-eighth, while Kieran Foran has been named as the side's halfback after putting off his retirement to play for the Kiwis.
James Fisher-Harris will lead from the front and will be part of an imposing pack that will also include Moses Leota and Naufahu Whyte.
Jeremy Marshall-King gets the nod at hooker and support will be provided by the utility Phoenix Crossland.
Briton Nikora and Isaiah Papali'i will form a strong backrow partnership, while Joe Tapine will play at lock.
Erin Clark has been rewarded for an impressive first season for the Warriors with a place on the bench.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona joins him on the pine after the former Melbourne enforcer was preferred ahead of potential debutant Xavier Willison and veteran backrower Scott Sorensen.
Scott Sorensen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona are likely to compete for the final spot in the 17.
Toa Samoa confirmed team:
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
2. Murray Taulagi
3. Izack Tago
4. Deine Mariner
5. Brian To'o
6. Blaize Talagi
7. Jarome Luai
8. Josh Papalii
9. Jazz Tevaga
10. Payne Haas
11. Jeremiah Nanai
12. Jaydn Su'A
13. Junior Paulo
14. Chanel Harris-Tavita
15. Simi Sasagi
16. Terrell May
17. Francis Molo
18. Benaiah Ioelu
19. Ata Mariota
20. Clayton Faulalo
21. Lyhkan King-Togia
Samoa team news:
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck takes the No.1 jersey and will be a part of a stellar backline.
Brian To'o and Murray Taulagi will occupy the wings, while Izack Tago and Deine Mariner line up in the centres.
Taylan May was originally named in the squad, but there is no sign of him, with Clayton Faulalo drafted in as part of cover for the backline in the extended squad.
Ben Gardiner faced a selection headache in the halves with several candidates in the running.
Blaize Talagi and Jarome Luai will combine in the opening test match, as Chanel Harris-Tavita has instead been handed the utility role off the bench.
Payne Haas will line up for Samoa at prop following his defection from Australia. He is joined by Josh Papalii in the engine room.
The coach has opted to field an experienced starting side as fellow veteran Junior Paulo has surprisingly been named at lock.
Benaiah Ioelu started to establish himself as an NRL regular at the Roosters during the second part of the campaign. However, he will have to bide his time with Jazz Tevaga handed the No.9 jersey.
Jaydn Su'A and Jeremiah Nanai will be the starters in the backrow, with support provided by Simi Sasagi, who has beaten his Canberra teammate Ata Mariota for a place on the pine.
Terrell May and Francis Molo will look to provide energy off the bench after also being included in the 17.