The Pacific Four Series is filled with some of the best players in the world that are set to make a major difference heading into the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
From household stars to the next big thing, here are eight players to watch throughout the tournament.
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Ashley Marsters
In a sporting climate where two-way players are the rage, Ashley Marsters is Rugby’s true Swiss army knife.
Marsters was picked at her first World Cup in 2014 as a centre before moving into the forward pack.
Primarily used as a hooker or flanker, the 31-year-old has played every position in the game, including all three front row positions in the same game.
Marsters became the most capped Wallaroos player in history during the WXV 2 tournament, playing a big role in the title-winning campaign.
That experience has created a dynamic, ball playing weapon who can open any game up in an instant.
Faitala Moleka
Moleka is at the forefront of the next generation of Australian talent ready to take on the world.
A larger-than-life character, the playmaker became a mainstay in the starting side for the Wallaroos during the WXV 2 tournament, winning player of the match against Wales.
Moleka is one of eight siblings, with younger sister Manu’a joining her in camp to start the 2025 season after the two combined wonderfully for the ACT Brumbies.
The 20-year-old has taken on further responsibility in 2025 and looms as a key piece for the future.
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe
Never say never, that’s the motto of Woodman-Wickliffe’s return to the Test arena.
The legendary Kiwi was ready to call time on her Hall of Fame career before the itch to pull on the black jersey became too hard to ignore.
Woodman-Wickliffe originally announced her international retirement last year after winning her second Olympic gold medal with the Black Ferns Sevens in Paris.
However, a starring performance in the Blues’ Super Rugby Aupiki title-winning campaign led for the calls to grow for her backflip, which she has answered in the quest for a third World Cup campaign.
Braxton Sorensen-McGee
The young fullback is yet to make her Test debut but it’s only a matter of time before Sorensen-McGee is lighting up defences.
At just 18, the Blues fullback is the youngest player in the Black Ferns squad after a stellar Aupiki campaign.
However, don’t let the youthfulness fool you: she is a damaging talent on her day as the NSW Waratahs found out during the Super Rugby Champions Final.
Sorensen-McGee’s bloodline is full of Kiwi talent in rugby league, with the fullback ready to make her own name in the 15-a-side game.
Alex Tessier
Playmaker Tessier is leading the way for a Canadian surge towards a maiden World Cup title.
The 31-year-old was nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year in 2024 after a stellar international season.
She helped lead Canada to a historic win over New Zealand and started all six matches for Canada in 2024 scoring a total of 27 points.
Tessler was named at centre in the Dream Team of the Year and is expected to play a big part in Canada’s push to defend the Pacific Four series title.
Asia Hogan-Rochester
Hogan-Rochester is one of several Sevens stars making the move to 15s for the World Cup ahead of a big year for Canadian Rugby.
The flyer has lit up the Sevens circuit and was a big part of Canada’s silver medal team at the Paris Olympics.
With a track and field background, Hogan-Rochester is amongst the fastest players in the game and recently went past 200 points on the SVNS World Series.
Hogan-Rochester will join the Canadian team for the Australia and New Zealand matches after trying to inspire the Sevens team to the World Championship title.
Hope Rogers
Front-rower Rogers is the heart and soul of the USA Eagles.
The powerful American is one of the best front-rowers in the world, recently named in the World Rugby Team of the Year.
Rogers is one of several Americans plying her trade in the Premiership in England, scoring eight tries in the span of a six game stretch for the Exeter Chiefs.
The passionate Rogers is the leading inspiration behind some of America’s most memorable wins, including last year’s win over Australia in Melbourne.
Rogers entered the record books for the Eagles with her 52nd international cap against Canada, the most all-time for an American.
Ilona Maher
There isn’t a bigger star in Rugby than Ilona Maher.
Maher is one of the brightest stars in American sport after helping the USA to bronze at the Paris Olympics.
Since then, Maher has exploded in popularity across social media and is the most followed Rugby player or team in the world.
Maher has also branched out into Hollywood, featuring on Dancing with the Stars and winning over a whole new audience.
However, 2025 is all about her return to the 15s after featuring for Bristol in the Premiership.
Maher debuted for the USA side in 2018 and will play for third game for the USA against Canada.
