Tonga are in a notably different spot to most of the other nations we have covered, not least because they are travelling to England rather than playing close to home.
Mate Ma’a Tonga have been granted A-side status on a tour of the Northern Hemisphere for the first time, billed equally with the Kangaroos and Kiwis, which is a huge win before they even step on the plane. This is pioneering stuff for the Pacific island nation.
Moreover, they have a settled coaching staff, with Kristian Woolf remaining in post, and don’t have that many participants in the finals, giving a relatively injury-free list to choose from. If anything, their boys might be rusty.
There could be a plan to look towards the next World Cup now, especially in moving on from some of the older players, but that doesn’t seem likely.
With top billing and having underperformed by only making the quarters at the last World Cup, they’ll want to come home with a win.
It’s a huge ask going to England, who will have home crowds and are used to what might be cold and wet conditions, but Tonga will be, as they generally are, absolutely stacked, especially in the forwards and outside backs. Let’s get into it.
The list of Tongans to go around again is pretty long, as well as being fearsome in quality.
As ever, that starts with the pack: Addin Fonua-Blake, one of the best in the NRL in 2023, and stalwart Jason Taumalolo will be the leaders, with Tevita Tatola and Mo Fotuaika also in the rotation.
The back row features Haumole Olakauatu and Keaon Koloamatangi, great mates off the field who love playing together, and both Felise Kaufusi and Siosifa Talakai to fit in somewhere.
Siliva Havili loves playing for Tonga and should be in the 9 jumper, with Soni Luke the other option either on the bench or to start.
Halfback will be Isaiya Katoa, who was good enough to make last year’s World Cup without playing an NRL game, and Junior Amone.
His Dragons teammate Moses Suli will be a centre, likely with Will Penisini. The fullback role is up for grabs, but the frontrunner is Tolu Koula, who impressed there last year and latterly for Manly at the end of 2023.
His clubmate Christian Tuipulotu will be on one wing, with Sharks flyer Sione Katoa on the other.
Isaiya Katoa. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
A few familiar faces will struggle to make this year’s team.
Daniel Tupou has been out long term for the Roosters and it would be a surprise if he was risked. Siosiua Taukeiaho has barely played in the Super League for the Catalans and won’t make the squad.
Kotoni Staggs has been a fairly consistent pick going back to the 2019 series, but with the Kangaroos so stacked for centres, it’s possible that he opts to go with them instead.
From the UK, there’s Konrad Hurrell, too old now, and Will Hopoate, who hasn’t played since late July with an injury, though he is ready for the back end of the season with St Helens.
(Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)
David Fifita is out of the Kangaroos squad and will probably go around for Tonga, but nothing is certain at this stage.
Stefano Utoikamanu was good enough for a NSW Blues jumper earlier this year and will be high in Woolf’s thoughts for international honours, if they can find a spot for him in that packed middle rotation.
Tesi Niu has been reborn at the Dolphins and the coach, who is Wayne Bennett’s assistant and successor there, will have seen it firsthand. He can cover fullback and wing, and will be there for depth.
There’s a few things in life that are certain: death, taxes and Tui Lolohea getting picked for Tonga squads. He’s a halfback, which they don’t have many of, covers a lot of positions and brings a lot of experience.
Joe Ofahengaue has had a troubled season with injury but was fit by the back of Parramatta’s campaign, so will be available. He’s next off the middle forward conveyor belt.
In a similar situation could be Eliesa Katoa, who finds himself behind a lot of other backrowers, and one wonders how they would fit him in. He will likely travel but might not play.
Ben Murdoch-Masila, who has played a lot before but would be an outside choice now, and Hame Sele, who also falls victim to the 700 other middle forwards available.
Albert Hopoate, Brenko Lee and George Jennings could also do a job out wide, but are down the pecking order.
Wow, what a season we’ve just had, and now we’re about to be treated to some intriguing international league clashes for the second year…
If you followed the recent Rugby League World Cup, you’ll probably have noted that the tournament has both passionate supporters and vocal detractors.
Since the Super League War, Rugby League has failed to cement an international calendar. The historical tours disappeared – in part due to the war but also since the English game transferred to a summer season.
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