Tonga’s Squad and Key Players for Three-Test Series Against England
Tonga have chosen a squad full of hardened international players and a host of NRL young guns for the historic Test series against England.
Tonga will become the first Pacific nation to play a full three-Test series against England when the tournament gets underway at St Helens’ Wicked Stadium on October 22.
Matches in Huddersfield (October 28) and Headingley at Leeds on November 4 will complete the series under head coach Kristian Woolf.
The Tongan squad is full of big-name NRL forwards including Addin Fonua-Blake, Felise Kaufusi, Moeaki Fotuaika, Keaon Koloamatangi, Tevita Tatola and Haumole Olakau’atu.
Experienced campaigner Tyson Frizell will make his first appearance for Tonga on the tour, bringing with him the craft learned in 239 NRL matches and 16 State of Origin games for New South Wales.
Frizell, who played five Tests for Wales in 2011 and 2013, has a Welsh father and Tongan mother.
The Knights second-rower has played 16 Tests for Australia and made 16 Origin appearances for NSW.
But the Tongans will also contain plenty of smarts and speed in the backline.
Playmakers Tuimoala Lolohea, Will Hopoate and Isaiya Katoa are in the team, while outside backs Konrad Hurrell, Tolutau Koula, Will Penisini, Mosese Suli and Daniel Tupou will be dangerous weapons in attack.
The Tonga squad also includes some new names that have established themselves as true NRL players this season including Eliesa Katoa, Hame Sele and Starford Toa.
Stalwarts Jason Taumalolo and Sio Siau Taukieaho as well as David Fifita, Sione Katoa and Dallin Watene Zelezniak are all unavailable for the tour due to either off-season surgeries or being ruled medically unfit by their clubs.
Woolf said the team to play England included players that had previously done the job for Tonga as well as some exciting new names.
“This squad is a strong mix of both players who have shown their passion and skill for Tonga previously, and a few new faces that have underlined their promise with their form in the NRL this season,” said Woolf.
“The inclusion of players like Addin Fonua-Blake, Will Hopoate and Felise Kuafusi and the addition of Tyson Frizell to a Tongan squad for the first time will give us a great base.
“But this is also a Tongan squad for the future, and we are going to give some of our impressive young players a chance to show their talents on the international stage.
Mate Ma’a won’t feature in this year’s Pacific Championships, instead becoming the first Pacific nation to play a Test series against the Three Lions.
Interestingly, Watene Zelezniak made himself available for Tongan selection, snubbing the Kiwis after featuring for New Zealand in last year’s World Cup. He has since been ruled out with an injury.
Meanwhile, coach Kristian Woolf has also named three playmakers in Tuimoala Lolohea, Latu Fainu and Isaiya Katoa.
TONGAN SQUAD (in alphabetical order)
Latu Fainu – Manly Sea Eagles, Addin Fonua-Blake – NZ Warriors, Moeaki Fotuaika – Gold Coast Titans ,Tyson Frizell – Newcastle Knights , Siliva Havili – South Sydney Rabbitohs, William Hopoate – St Helens, Konrad Hurrell – St Helens ,Isaiya Katoa – Dolphins, Eliesa Katoa – Melbourne Storm, Felise Kaufusi – Dolphins, Keaon Koloamatangi – South Sydney Rabbitohs, Tolutau Koula – Manly Sea Eagles, Tuimoala Lolohea – Huddersfield Giants, Haumole Olakau’atu – Manly Sea Eagles, Will Penisini – Parramatta Eels, Hame Sele – South Sydney Rabbitohs, Mosese Suli – St George Illawarra Dragons, Tevita Tatola – South Sydney Rabbitohs, Dion Teaupa – South Sydney Rabbitohs , Starford Toa – Wests Tigers, Daniel Tupou – Sydney Roosters, Siua Wong – Sydney Roosters
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