Sharks stars Annessa Biddle and Brooke Anderson will be key to helping the New Zealand Kiwi Ferns build on last year's success after being selected in their Pacific Championships squad today.
Meanwhile, experienced forward Vanessa Foliaki will captain a Tongan squad featuring Cronulla teammates Tegan Dymock, Filomina Hanisi and Manilita Takapautolo, the latter two being in line for their international debuts.
Second-rower Talei Holmes and winger Cassie Staples have been chosen in Fiji's squad to tackle the Cook Islands, while Sharks captain Tiana Penitani and hooker Quincy Dodd were announced in the Australian Jillaroos side on Monday.
Luisa Yaranamua, who played for Cronulla's Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership team this season, is also included in the Fiji Bulikula side.
The Test call-ups are well-deserved for the Cronulla stars after a terrific NRLW season in which they narrowly went down in the Grand Final to the Roosters.
Biddle and Anderson, who made their international debuts last season, were part of the Kiwi Ferns team that recorded their first win over Australia in seven years.
The Kiwi Ferns open their Pacific Championships campaign against the Jillaroos on Sunday, October 27 at Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch. They'll then face the PNG Orchids at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby, on Sunday, November 3.
Ricky Henry will coach New Zealand, with Georgia Hale enlisted as captain.
"We are excited about the squad we have assembled," Henry said.
"The depth of talented Kiwi players across the NRLW this year has been outstanding to watch and made our selection process more difficult than ever."
Tonga's women's side will take on Fetu Samoa at HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, on Sunday, October 19. Foliaki will share the captaincy duties with Wests Tigers rookie Natasha Penitani, the sister of Sharks skipper Tiana.
KIWI FERNS SQUAD
Abigail Roache, Knights
Alexis Tauaneai, Dragons*
Amber Hall, Roosters
Angelina Teakaraanga Katoa, Dragons
Annessa Biddle, Sharks
Apii Nicholls, Raiders
Ashleigh Quinlan, Raiders
Brianna Clark, Broncos
Brooke Anderson, Sharks
Brooke Talataina, Tigers*
Gayle Broughton, Broncos*
Georgia Hale, Titans
Leianne Tufuga, Tigers
Mackenzie Wiki, Raiders*
Mele Hufanga, Broncos
Mya Hill Moana, Roosters
Najvada George, Tigers
Otesa Pule, Roosters
Shanice Parker, Knights
Tiana Davison, Knights
Tyla King, Dragons
*Denotes potential debut.
