Griffiths unveils Cook Islands Moana squad for Pacific Bowl

Coach Ronald Griffiths has announced the Cook Islands squad for the 2025 Pacific Bowl tournament.

They are set to compete against the PNG Orchids on October 18 and Tonga XIII on October 25, aiming for a place in the final scheduled for November 9 at CommBank Stadium.

The squad includes four players who had outstanding NRLW seasons under Griffiths' supervision at the Warriors: Lydia Turua-Quedley, Lavinia Kitai, Ashlee Matapo, and Kaiyah Atai.

Kaiyah Atai made her debut in two Tests for the Cook Islands in 2023, Lydia Turua-Quedley boasts five Tests since her debut at the 2017 World Cup, while Lavinia Kitai's five-Test journey began at the 2022 World Cup.

Chantay Kiria-Ratu, a playmaker for the Sharks, is expected to play a crucial role for the Cook Islands after a stellar NRLW season, where she participated in every match and recorded nine try assists and five line break assists.

Joining her in the squad is her sister Anne-Marie, who debuted in the NRLW in Round 4 this year. She contributed to the Sharks' journey to the preliminary final, where they were defeated by the Roosters.

The finalized squad includes: April Ngatupuna (Queensland Reds rugby), Ashlee Matapo* (Warriors), Chantay Kiria-Ratu (Sharks), Deleni Paitai-Wakely* (Brisbane Bears), Hannah Makira* (Bulldogs), Jazmon Tupou-Witchman (Rabbitohs), Jodeci Joseph (Papakura Sisters), Kaiyah Atai (Warriors), Keira Rangi* (Souths Logan Magpies), Kerehitna Matua (Raiders), Kiana Takairangi (Eels), Kiarah Siauane (Souths Logan Magpies), Lavinia Kitai (Warriors), Lydia Turua-Quedley (Warriors), Memory Paitai* (Brisbane Bears), Ngatokotoru Arakua (Souths Logan Magpies), Paulina Morris-Ponga (Akarana Falcons), Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu (Cronulla Sutherland Sharks), Pearl Tuitama* (Ipswich Jets), and Porsche Samson-John*. The asterisk (*) indicates debutants.