By definition, Saturday’s Ohana Cup between the USA Tomahawks and Mate Ma’a Tonga is an international rugby test match.

It’s also a "test" by other definitions. Not only is the event testing the waters to establish an international competition between the U.S. and Pacific Rim nations, it also will test the abilities of several Hawaii players who have aspirations of playing at the international level with the American National Rugby League or USA Rugby.

One of those is former University of Hawaii safety Leonard Peters, who will make his international rugby league debut with the Tomahawks, the AMNRL’s national team. Peters has been part of USA Rugby XVs and Sevens, but Saturday’s competition is 13 a side.

Among the others with Hawaii ties are ex-UH guard Tala Esera and Dusten Umeda, a former three-sport standout at Kalani who has been a USAR national team pool player.

"Saturday should be fun," Umeda said. "Guarantee Tonga will be big and physical. There’s island pride on the line."

Also named to the 19-member squad is former UH center Kelly McGill, who went on to play professional rugby in Europe and has a cap (international match) with the Tomahawks. McGill was instrumental in setting up Saturday’s competition.

"With so many local players on the (USA) national teams, Hawaii is starting to become the epicenter of the sport. Per capita, Hawaii has some of the best rugby players in the world," McGill said.

"We have some of the top players in (National Rugby League) and the Tongans are always fun to watch. This event is a preview of what we hope can be part of the global development of the sport. We welcome our Pacific brothers."

Saturday’s schedule also includes youth, high school, men’s and women’s matches. The U19 Youth Challenge at 5 p.m. is between Kahuku and Belmont Shore, Calif.

"We’re excited by the challenge," Tomahawks coach Marcus Vassilakopoulos said during Thursday’s practice at Kapiolani Park. "Tonga is big and physical and skillful. We have athletes and some of our guys are still learning the game. We’re ranked 11th in the world. We’ve still got a long, long ways to go."

Since their loss to Canada last September, the Tomahawks have won their past three, outscoring their opponents — South Africa, Jamaica and Ireland — by a combined 118-29. The two victories over South Africa and Jamaica came in the Atlantic regional, which qualified the Americans for their first Rugby League World Cup.

"This will be our first major rugby international against Tonga," AMNRL president David Niu said. "They’re No. 9, we’re No. 11. There’s the challenge right there. It’s a chance to see who might get the upper hand going into the World Cup.

"This is going to be a wonderful international experience for the players and help grow the game in the Pacific Rim. We would like the Ohana Cup to ultimately represent our national team and those of our Pacific neighbors such as Samoa, Fiji and Tonga. Hawaii is the perfect place. We are very aware of the Polynesian base here who understand the game and will support it."