Mate Ma‘a Tonga squad for NZ test [1]
Wednesday, June 12, 2019 - 17:45. Updated on Wednesday, June 12, 2019 - 17:48.
A 22-man preliminary squad was announced this afternoon, June 12, 2019 by Tonga National Rugby League Board in Nuku’alofa.
Mate Ma'a Tonga will play the New Zealand Kiwis at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland on Saturday, June 22.
Chairman Board George Koloamatangi said head coach Kristian Woolf confirmed the squad to the board.
The 22-man squad are predominantly from the NRL, with Tonga’s 2017 Rugby League World Cup half Tuimoala Lolohea in line to travel back from English Super League club Leeds to play in the historic test.
New faces in the squad include John Asiata from the Cowboys, Manly’s Manase Fainu, Bronco centre Kotoni Staggs, Titans prop Moesaki Fotu’aika and Rooster Sitili Tupounia.
World Cup representatives Mahe Fonua and ‘Ata Hingano were in the preliminary squad but are unavailable due to injury.
Woolf was pleased with the squad assembled.
“We have a good core of players for the Mate Mate Ma’a Tonga team since the 2017 World Cup and we have been able to add some more depth this year.”
It is going to be a huge occasion and the wonderful Tongan fans are already excited for the event and this squad will give us every opportunity to perform well in the Test.
The final team to face the Kiwis will be announced after this weekend’s NRL round concludes. The team will arrive in New Zealand on Sunday and Monday to prepare for the test match.
Mate Ma'a Tonga Preliminary Squad for NZ Test (alphabetical order)
- Josh Asiata (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Manase Fainu (Many Sea Eagles)
- Andrew Fifita (Cronulla Sharks)
- Addin Fonua-Blake (Manly Sea Eagles)
- Moeaki Fotu'aika (Gold Coast Titans)
- David Fusitu’a (New Zealand Warriors)
- Siliva Havilli (Canberra Raiders)
- Tu’imoala Lolohea (Leeds Rhinos)
- Will Hopoate (Canterbury Bulldogs)
- Michael Jennings (Parramatta Eels)
- Robert Jennings (Wests Tigers)
- Solomone Kata (New Zealand Warriors)
- Sione Katoa (Penrith Panthers)
- Manu Ma’u (Paramatta Eels)
- Tevita Pangai Junior (Brisbane Broncos)
- Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos)
- Tevita Jr Tatola (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
- Sio Siua Taukei'aho (Sydney Roosters)
- Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Peni Terepo (Parramatta Eels)
- Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters)
- Sitili Tupouniua (Sydney Roosters)
Coach: Kristian Woolf