El Niche Cache has dropped his Second Niche Cache Maori All Stars and continuing on a similar vibe, it's time to drop the Pacific Island All Stars for 2016. This team includes players from Samoa, Tonga and Fiji and I have tried to steer clear of players who have represented Aotearoa or Australia. Here goes..

Fullback: Sosaia Feki.

There's a log-jam in the outside backs for our Pacific All Stars, with a whole bunch of centres/wingers while the fullback position isn't as well populated. I was going to have to play someone out of position and as Sosaia Feki won an NRL Premiership this season, he gets first crack at this prestigious position. Feki isn't overly big, nor is he super fast, but he's powerful and tries bloody hard. The only negative here would possibly be whether Feki has the skill/subtlety to chime in with some play-making from the fullback position, but hey, that's why we're giving him the shot.

Wingers: David Nofoaluma, Suliasi Vunivalu.

One of my favourite low key NRL players this season was David Nofoaluma on the wing for Wests Tigers and he was rewarded for his strong season with selection in the Toa Samoa team who went down to Fiji. Wests Tigers gave Nofoaluma some game time at fullback this season when James Tedesco was out injured, although Nofoaluma slid back out to the wing when the Tigers had 'good ball' and all I want Nofoaluma to do is run ridiculously hard as he always does.

Suliasi Vunivalu burst into the NRL for Melbourne Storm this season and his try-scoring feats gave the Storm a splash of x-factor, with Marika Koroibete's explosive speed on the other flank. He doesn't quite offer the same running game as Nofoaluma, but Vunivalu is a great target for Cooper Cronk's kicking game and I've told our halves to study Cronk's cross-field kicks; no one's beat Vunivalu in the air.

Centres: Joey Leilua, Konrad Hurrell.

Canberra Raiders enjoyed the work of Joey Leilua all season and there's not too many NRL centres who can handle Leilua one-on-one. Even if they can hold on to him, Leilua just squeezes an offload out. Leilua's a gun runner of the footy and having him on one edge, with Konrad Hurrell on the other edge will give the Pacific All Stars a powerful threat on either edge. Hurrell moved to Gold Coast Titans this year and took his career to a new level, with a simplified role and more clarity in how he was used. 

Halves: Fa'amanu Brown, Anthony Milford.

All the usos out there should be reasonably excited about next year's World Cup as a halves combination of Fa'amanu Brown and Anthony Milford could be rolled out for Samoa. Brown enjoyed sporadic game time for Cronulla and while his path to consistent NRL minutes is cluttered by the presence of Chad Townsend, James Maloney and Jack Bird, he looks at home in the NRL whenever he's given a chance.

The class of Milford is undeniable and for much of this season, Milford was the sole creative spark for Brisbane Broncos. Combining solid control of a game with sublime razzle dazzle, it's extremely difficult to keep Milford quiet in a game of footy.

Middle Forwards: Junior Paulo, Sauaso Sue, Agnatius Paasi.

Some NRL forwards are block-busters every few weeks, some like Junior Paulo are block-busters every damn week and that was crucial in Canberra's run deep into the NRL Finals. Paulo is shaped like Matt Scott and is slightly rotund - reminding me of Cowboys coach Paul Green's desire for different shapes and sizes in his forward pack - which when combined with tremendous footwork, makes him a nightmare to slow down in the middle.

Also in the middle, I've got Wests Tigers forward Sauaso Sue and Gold Coast Titans forward Agnatius Paasi. Sue offers mobility which is crucial in attack and on defence, yet that mobility doesn't hinder his physicality while Paasi has all the requirements of a beastly middle forward, with some funk. Paasi can throw all sorts of passes as well as offloading at will.

Hooker: Apisai Koroisau.

Manly Sea Eagles hooker Apisai Koroisau can play in the halves as well, but his best work comes at dummy half. Koroisau is a powerful little dude and runs the footy in a similar fashion to Issac Luke while also using the skills that make him a capable NRL half, at hooker. This gives Koroisau plenty of attacking options and I'll be encouraging him to chime in with a few kicks for the Pacific All Stars.

Edge Forwards: Frank Pritchard, Sitaleki Akauola.

There aren't too many edge forwards available for selection and while I've extended the invite out to Manu Ma'u to roll with the team, the top-dawgs said he couldn't play. Instead, I've gone with Frank Pritchard to offer some veteran guidance and I'm going off of what my scouts are saying as Pritchard led Hull FC to an epic Challenge Cup victory in England, sealing his selection for the Pacific All Stars.

On the left edge, I've switched things up a little with Sitaleki Akauola impressing in his role off the bench for Penrith Panthers. Akauola actually offered his size and mobility to the middle for Penrith and he gave them a powerful boost when he entered the game, we need an edge forward and as Akauola has played there before, I'm riding with him out on the edge. He'll be tasked with running hard lines off the hip of Fa'amanu Brown out on the left edge.

Bench: Kane Evans, Suaia Matagi, Siliva Havili, Peni Terepo.

Siliva Havili gets the bench utility spot and after helping the Illawara Cutters to a reserve grade title playing at lock, there's a few options in how Havili can be used. I've got him giving Koroisau a break for 20 minutes and hopefully we'll see Havili demand more NRL time with the Dragons, to push for a starting spot in the Pacific All Stars next year. 

I was tempted to roll with Sam Kasiano on the bench as he was arguably the Bulldogs' best player this season, what held me back though was my desire for quicker blokes in the middle.

This is possibly a reason why the Bulldogs struggled to make any meaningful waves this season as the NRL has sped up dramatically and you need quicker, powerful forwards. Fijian international and Roosters forward Kane Evans offers some size (I'd listen to arguments for Kasiano over Evans, just my personal preference though) while Suaia Matagi and Peni Terepo give me the speed I need.

Matagi was brutal in starting games for Penrith this season and has been rewarded with a new deal to join Parramatta. Terepo is cut from the same cloth and images of them steaming on to the footy off the back fence is rather scary.