Tongan Squad for Pacific Championships and beyond

[Manu Vatuvei]

OP benching literally the best second rower in the world AND the only Tongan-raised player in the squad (possibly the only rugby league player from Tonga on Earth?) is crazy work though

 

[nko11]

OP benching literally the best second rower in the world AND the only Tongan-raised player in the squad (possibly the only rugby league player from Tonga on Earth?) is crazy work though

I actually had Leka and Katoa starting 2RF originally. Just thought for seniority reasons it was worth starting Haumole and Keaon. I wouldn't get too tied up on the exact starting side. Tonga's 2RF stocks are incredible. So many quality players that might miss out in future, especially if they have 2+ pure props on the bench.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

I actually had Leka and Katoa starting 2RF originally. Just thought for seniority reasons it was worth starting Haumole and Keaon. I wouldn't get too tied up on the exact starting side. Tonga's 2RF stocks are incredible. So many quality players that might miss out in future, especially if they have 2+ pure props on the bench.

I’d start Katoa and Olakauatu in the back row and push Keaon upfront. Dude was a beast in the middle after Wayne moved him there. Arguably Souths’ best player during that period.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

I actually had Leka and Katoa starting 2RF originally. Just thought for seniority reasons it was worth starting Haumole and Keaon. I wouldn't get too tied up on the exact starting side. Tonga's 2RF stocks are incredible. So many quality players that might miss out in future, especially if they have 2+ pure props on the bench.

If they miss the Tongans side they can make themselves available for their tier 1 nation Oh how times have changed

 

[taste2taste]

Joey John’s said on Freddy and the Eight that the kangaroos have no chance of beating the PI teams through the middle, to beat them they’ll have to spread the ball early in thier sets and from their own half.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Joey John’s said on Freddy and the Eight that the kangaroos have no chance of beating the PI teams through the middle, to beat them they’ll have to spread the ball early in thier sets and from their own half.

Joey also said QLD were no hope in Origin, the Warriors wouldn't win games without Metcalf and the NRL should be reduced to 12 teams as we don't have enough talent

 

[Matua]

Origin eligibility to be reviewed.

V’landys flags big Origin eligibility review as Raiders gun’s snub exposes glaring issue

‘Polarising’: V’landys flags big Origin eligibility review as Raiders gun’s snub exposes glaring issue

www.foxsports.com.au

I wont get my hopes up.

Joey also said QLD were no hope in Origin, the Warriors wouldn't win games without Metcalf and the NRL should be reduced to 12 teams as we don't have enough talent

He must have misspoke and meant Halasima.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Origin eligibility to be reviewed.

V’landys flags big Origin eligibility review as Raiders gun’s snub exposes glaring issue

‘Polarising’: V’landys flags big Origin eligibility review as Raiders gun’s snub exposes glaring issue

www.foxsports.com.au

I wont get my hopes up.



He must have misspoke and meant Halasima.

I hope this happens and it common sense. Provided you are eligible for Origin you can play, regardless of your international side.

AFB, Radley and Ponga are the big ones. I don't think anyone would really care if they played Origin and for England in Radley's case and NZ in Ponga's case. AFB seems to be locked into Tonga now so it's even more ludicrous that one game for NZ has locked him out of Origin.

I'd like to see a trade off here and not just let the players have their cake and eat it too. If we put this rule change through and you can play Origin, whilst representing whatever nation you choose (eligibility permitting), I'd like the nation swapping rule removed.

Tonga and Samoan jerseys now have strong enough pull that they don't need to rely on discarded Kangaroo or Kiwi players. And any Origin eligible Fijians and PNG players can also experience Origin and get to choose if the Fiji/PNG jersey means more to them than an Australian/NZ jersey. But when they choose, that's it. Life is about choices and if the Origin pull is no longer a factor, you commit to the nation of your choice for your career. It would be a massive step forward for the credibility of the international game.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

I hope this happens and it common sense. Provided you are eligible for Origin you can play, regardless of your international side.

AFB, Radley and Ponga are the big ones. I don't think anyone would really care if they played Origin and for England in Radley's case and NZ in Ponga's case. AFB seems to be locked into Tonga now so it's even more ludicrous that one game for NZ has locked him out of Origin.

I'd like to see a trade off here and not just let the players have their cake and eat it too. If we put this rule change through and you can play Origin, whilst representing whatever nation you choose (eligibility permitting), I'd like the nation swapping rule removed.

Tonga and Samoan jerseys now have strong enough pull that they don't need to rely on discarded Kangaroo or Kiwi players. And any Origin eligible Fijians and PNG players can also experience Origin and get to choose if the Fiji/PNG jersey means more to them than an Australian/NZ jersey. But when they choose, that's it. Life is about choices and if the Origin pull is no longer a factor, you commit to the nation of your choice for your career. It would be a massive step forward for the credibility of the international game.

Yea fair call; seems like ole' Wayne is of the same view too. No question Tonga and Samoa have outgrown what the current international switching rules were intended for.

But I think questions remain for other nations who haven't grown to the same extent. If say, Teddy doesn't make the Roo WC squad, it'd be a shame if he cant turn out for Italy. So maybe allowances need to be kept for some of those (still) smaller nations.

 

[isaiah]

Joey also said QLD were no hope in Origin, the Warriors wouldn't win games without Metcalf and the NRL should be reduced to 12 teams as we don't have enough talent

Not exactly the font of all wisdom.

 

[Clarkent]

Goes without saying, an incredibly strong team. The only reason I personally wouldn't put them in the same potential class for beyond 2026 as Tonga is their spine. They have the same situation as Tonga with the HK. Talagi is still developing and it's still to be seen what his potential in the halves is. Having some success now with Penrith, but partnering Cleary in the halves with their systems, I feel like would make most 6's look good.

Luai is a good player, but with his age and a fair bit of his game based around agility, he may not be one of the halves that maintains form far into his 30's. Also interested to see how he continues to go outside of Penrith.

Really down to my thought that Tonga and Samoa have had really good teams for a while now, just missing those key world class spine players that the tier 1 nations have for the most part. Tonga having two of the best young halves. Things can change quick though.

Tonga spine is still not stronger then Samoa. They lack a bit at hooker. Fainu aint ready yet for the 6 jersey. If Fainu and Havili goes down injured Tonga will be looking in the reserves grade for replacement and they dont have much option there too. Samoa has more depth in the spine.
Halves
Jarome Luai
Blaize Talagi
Chanel Harris-Tevita
Lykhan King-Togia
Tyrone May
Joash Papali'i

Hooker
Jazz Tevaga
Beniah Ioelu
Erin Clark (If he commits)

Fullback
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Sua Faalogo

Tonga has a lot of young players coming through this year. Leka, Tamale, Lehi, Foketi...