Fuifui Moimoi, denied a shot at international football by his National Rugby League (NRL) club Parramatta this year, will play for Tonga in next week's World Cup qualifiers.
The hard-hitting prop will return from suspension for the tournament also involving Fiji, Samoa and the Cook Islands.
Moimoi was selected by coach Brian McClennan in his Kiwis squad for New Zealand's test against Great Britain in June, but Parramatta refused to release him.
He was then suspended for seven weeks early last month after a high tackle on Manly's Brent Kite, and is eligible to return for Tonga's second match against Fiji on October 4.
Other prominent NRL players appearing next week are Newcastle centre George Carmont and Cronulla prop Hutch Mavaia, both selected for Samoa.
Fiji's squad may include St George-Illawarra trio Wes Naiqama, Ashton Sims and Daryl Millard, depending on the result of tomorrow's NRL semifinal against Melbourne.
The first round of matches is next Friday.
from stuff.co.nz
