The Tonga World Cup squad has been named, with Knights veteran Tyson Frizell, Cronulla prop Addin Fonua-Blake and Dolphins playmaker Isaiya Katoa among the 24 players picked by coach Kristian Woolf.
The squad was announced on Tuesday 6 October by Tonga’s Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala, Sporting News reported. One player will still be cut before Tonga’s opening game against England at HBF Park in Perth on Saturday 17 October.
Frizell set for a third nation
Frizell’s inclusion is the headline selection. The 34-year-old played for Wales at the 2013 World Cup and Australia at the 2017 World Cup, and Zero Tackle reported he is set to become the first player to represent three different countries at three World Cups.
The Knights confirmed on Monday that Frizell will leave Newcastle ahead of 2027, with Sunday’s Grand Final loss to the Roosters his last game for the club.
Roosters trio and NRL stars named
Three Sydney Roosters are in the group: Robert Toia, Salesi Foketi and Siua Wong. Toia chose Tonga over the Kangaroos after Sunday’s win, while Titans winger Jojo Fifita has also picked Tonga.
Cowboys great Jason Taumalolo is named alongside Haumole Olakau’atu, Stefano Utoikamanu and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. Manly have the biggest contingent with four players, while the Roosters and the Warriors have three each.
Wests Tigers halfback Latu Fainu is included after he and his brothers were unable to switch to Fiji, Zero Tackle reported. Huddersfield’s Tuimoala Lolohea and Wynnum Manly’s Junior Amone are the only players from outside the NRL.
Who missed out
Veteran winger Daniel Tupou, Tonga’s all-time leading try-scorer according to Zero Tackle, is not in the squad. Will Penisini, Moses Suli and Isaiah Iongi were also not named, while Keaon Koloamatangi is in the Kangaroos squad.
Tonga’s 24-man squad
- Paul Alamoti (Penrith Panthers)
- Junior Amone (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)
- Latu Fainu (Wests Tigers)
- Jojo Fifita (Gold Coast Titans)
- Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Dolphins)
- Salesi Foketi (Sydney Roosters)
- Addin Fonua-Blake (Cronulla Sharks)
- Moeaki Fotuaika (Gold Coast Titans)
- Tyson Frizell (Newcastle Knights)
- Leka Halasima (New Zealand Warriors)
- Lehi Hopoate (Manly Sea Eagles)
- Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins)
- Sione Katoa (Cronulla Sharks)
- Tolutau Koula (Manly Sea Eagles)
- Tuimoala Lolohea (Huddersfield Giants)
- Soni Luke (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Haumole Olakau’atu (Manly Sea Eagles)
- Taniela Paseka (Manly Sea Eagles)
- Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Robert Toia (Sydney Roosters)
- Stefano Utoikamanu (Melbourne Storm)
- Demitric Vaimauga (New Zealand Warriors)
- Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (New Zealand Warriors)
- Siua Wong (Sydney Roosters)
The England squad that Tonga meet in Perth was named on Monday night, along with the Jillaroos squad.
More News
- NRL: Robert Toia Picks Tonga Over Kangaroos for World Cup
- NRL: England World Cup Squad Named, Radley and Savala Picked
- NRL: Kangaroos Squad Named for World Cup, Sam Walker Picked
- NRL: Jillaroos Squad Named for World Cup, Brigginshaw Left Out
- NRL: Spencer Leniu Set to Join Parramatta After Grand Final Win
