Australia Kangaroos coach Mal Mengina has named six debutants to begin the Pacific Championship against Tonga.

In the first Test match for Australia since being defeated 30-0 by New Zealand last year, the Kangaroos will have an all-new halves pairing on Friday night.

Tom Dearden and Mitchell Moses will play in the halves while wingers Zac Lomax and Xavier Coates and interchange forwards Mitchell Barnett and Hudson Young have also been named in the 17-man team.

Meninga said the performance of Dearden and Moses in this year’s State of Origin series proved they were ready to thrive in the Test arena.

“In my mind, Tommy was the player of the series for Queensland, his game three was exceptional and Mitch was the same in Origin and club.

“A tough mindset and good attitude is critical against a strong, big, talented Tongan side.

“The Kangaroos are one of Australia’s leading sporting teams and we believe we are obligated to represent our community and family in the best possible way.

“We will definitely need to be tough and resilient and I believe this group of players exemplify that.”

Meanwhile, Australia Jillaroos coach Brad Donald has named his side to face Papua New Guinea on Friday in Brisbane.

But Donald said there was a positive feeling in the team.

“We are really excited to be back in camp and getting the team on the field this Friday,” Donald said. “There has been a strong theme in this week’s camp around past players and events in the women’s game.

“Watching the Prime Minister’s XIII Team play the PNG Prime Minister’s XIII in Port Moresby on Sunday allowed us to reflect on how far the game has come since the first women’s international match up there in 2017.”

Australia Kangaroos team

1. Dylan Edwards
2. Xavier Coates
3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
4. Tom Trbojevic
5. Zac Lomax*
6. Tom Dearden*
7. Mitchell Moses*
8. Patrick Carrigan
9. Harry Grant (vc)
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Angus Crichton
12. Cameron Murray
13. Isaah Yeo (c)
14. Matt Burton
15. Mitchell Barnett
16. Reuben Cotter
17. Hudson Young
18. Ben Hunt

Reserves

• Lindsay Smith
• Reece Robson
• Bradman Best

Australia Jillaroos team

1. Tamika Upton
2. Julia Robinson
3. Isabelle Kelly
4. Tiana Penitani
5. Jakiya Whitfeld
6. Ali Brigginshaw (c)
7. Tarryn Aiken
8. Millie Elliott
9. Quincy Dodd
10. Shannon Mato
11. Kezie Apps (c)
12. Yasmin Clydsdale
13. Simaima Taufa
14. Olivia Higgins
15. Sarah Togatuki
16. Keilee Joseph
17. Mahalia Murphy
18. Jessica Sergis

Reserves

• Abbi Church
• Jessika Elliston
• Lauren Brown