Tonga name 25-man squad to face New Zealand

Mate Ma’a Tonga’s coaching staff has named a 25-man squad to face New Zealand at Mount Smart Stadium on Saturday 25 June in what will be their first international clash in over two-and-a-half years.

Their last outing was as an invitational side facing Australia at Eden Park, where they beat the Kangaroos 16-12 for the first time in the country’s rugby league history. Their upcoming clash against the Kiwis will kickstart their preparations for the World Cup in the United Kingdom later this year, where they will have genuine aspirations to win it all.

The squad they have named is arguably their strongest ever and is set to feature several Origin hopefuls who have opted to represent their heritage over their state in what is a major shift for international rugby league. Co-captains Jason Taumalolo and Siosiua Taukei’aho have both been named in the middle of the field alongside Warriors star Addin Fonua-Blake, whilst six debutants have been named in the 17.

The likes of Tuimoala Lolohea, Konrad Hurrell, and Manu Ma’u were not considered due to Super League commitments but will certainly come into consideration for their World Cup squad later in the year. The Rabbitohs, Roosters, Sea Eagles and Sharks each have three players named in the squad, whilst the Storm, Raiders, and Knights are the only NRL clubs not represented.

Tonga’s squad for their June 25 Test against New Zealand:

1. 1. Toluta’u Koula, Jr. (Sea Eagles)
   2. Daniel Tupou (Roosters)
   3. Siosifa Talakai (Sharks)
   4. Mosese Suli (Dragons)
   5. Sione Katoa (Sharks)
   6. Kotoni Staggs (Broncos)
   7. Talatau Amone (Dragons)
   8. Siosiua Taukie’aho (Roosters)
   9. Siliva Havili (Rabbitohs)
   10. Addin Fonua Blake (Warriors)
   11. Sitili Tupouniua (Roosters)
   12. Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs)
   13. Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys)
   14. Soni Luke (Panthers)
   15. Haumole Olakau’atu (Sea Eagles)
   16. Tevita Pangai, Jr. (Bulldogs)
   17. Tevita Tatola (Rabbitohs)
   18. Moeaki Fotuaika (Titans)
   19. Will Penisini (Eels)
   20. Isaiya Katoa (Panthers)
   21. Andrew Fifita (Sharks)
   22. Joe Ofahengaue (Wests Tigers)
   23. Starford To’a (Wests Tigers)
   24. Christian Tuipulotu (Sea Eagles)
   25. Eliesa Katoa (Warriors)

Tupouniua, Koloamatangi, and Olakau’atu make up a fearsome edge forward rotation, whilst a centre-pairing of Talakai and Suli will seriously trouble whoever is positioned across from them. Tonga have a tonne of strike across the park, however, questions will be asked of their spine, particularly when facing the likes of Australia, New Zealand, and England.

Koula has never played fullback at NRL level, nor has Amone played halfback, whilst Staggs has played in the halves just once at NRL level and once for Tonga. Havili is the elder statesman of the Tongan spine but even he has started just 35 of his 114 NRL games at hooker. Kicking may prove problematic for the side; Amone is the only player in the Tongan spine to have kicked the ball more than three times this season and, even still, the 20-year-old has only kicked the ball 21 times in 13 games for 336 metres.

If the spine can mesh, however, there will be more than enough strike-power inside and outside them to produce points even against a star-studded New Zealand side. The clash will kick-off at 5:30pm NZST and 3:30pm AEST on Saturday 25 June at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland, as international rugby league ends its nearly three-year hiatus in this part of the world.

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