Fiji Bulikula and Cook Islands Moana kick off their 2024 Pacific Championships campaigns when they face off at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on Saturday.

Both teams played in Port Moresby in their only games of the 2023 tournament, with both sides suffering losses.

This year, Bulikula will enjoy the support of the home crowd, while a number of their players have also had more international experience this season, with two members of the side featuring for the Fiji side who appeared in the Harvey Norman Women's National Championships earlier this year.

While nations will field new-look line-ups, both have selected strong squads with considerable NRLW experience, with Fiji’s overall squad featuring seven players with NRLW experience, while Cook Islands have 10. However, only three - Toru Arakua, Kere Matua and Jazmon Tupou-Witchman - played in 2024.

Of those, Arakua still has one match to serve of a two-match ban for a dangerous throw while playing for the Titans in Round 8.

Fiji's Cronulla Sharks duo Talei Holmes and Cassie Staples recently played in the NRLW grand final and their experience will be vital for the Bulikula's chances of a win.

The game will also hold plenty of extra meaning, with a place in the World Cup qualifying final after up for grabs, with the winner to travel to Auckland to play Fetu Samoa at Go Media Stadium on November 2, with a World Cup berth up for grabs.