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Fresh from signing Joseph Suaalii, Australian rugby has got another one over the NRL after signing schoolboy sensation Hadley Tonga.
The 17-year-old, who is in Year 12 at The King’s School, turned down advances from Eels and Dolphins in the NRL to sign a three-year deal with the Australian Sevens program that will also allow him to integrate into the Waratahs in his third year.
By that point, Tonga, who last year ran the 100m in a blistering time of 10.84 seconds in the rain, could be lining up a backline alongside Suaalii, Max Jorgensen and Mark Nawaqanitawase.
King’s School outside back Hadley Tonga (L) has signed a three-year deal with Australia’s sevens team. Photo: Instagram
While News Corp reported Rugby Australia offered $800,000 to try and lure former Australian Schoolboys star Tolu Koula to leave the Manly Sea Eagles, Tonga’s signing shows you don’t have to break the bank to succeed. You just can’t be slow off the mark.
Sources close to the situation believe Tonga could prove to be better than Suaalii, who, contrary to reports, was offered a four-year deal once he finished his studies by Rugby Australia in 2018. The deal was tabled by former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika and national contracting manager Nick Taylor, where he met Michael Hooper and Israel Folau.
Tonga is nowhere near as tall as Suaalii, but rugby insiders believe he is a Marika Koroibete in the making.
Outside of Jorgensen, Tonga was the highest regarded Australian Schoolboy in 2022.
The outside back, who featured for Australia’s under-18s sevens side in Fiji recently, would have played for the national team in the Hamilton and Sydney Sevens tournaments had he not picked up an ankle injury.
It’s believed former Wallaby and national performance manager Scott Bowen was instrumental in identifying Tonga’a talents.
Tonga could prove to be one of the missing pieces for Australia’s men’s sevens team. Light on his feet but strong in contact, he has carved up schoolboy rugby for years.
While rising teenage star Darby Lancaster has given John Manenti’s side an edge out wide, Tonga will give Australia another speed weapon.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.