Tongan Squad for Pacific Championships and beyond

[nko11]

Is this a team that can win the Pacific Championships? Challenge in the 2026 RLWC? Their spine is starting to look very dangerous and should keep getting better for the next 10+ years.

Looking at the ages of a large portion of this team, can't help but think they're a World Class Hooker, Lock and few more Props and little bit more depth in the halves away from already having a complete and extremely strong squad for the 2030 RLWC.

1. Isaiah Iongi - 22
2. Lehi Hopoate - 20
3. Robert Toia - 20 (?) /Toluta'u Koula - 22
4. Paul Alamoti - 21 /Kotoni Staggs - 26
5. Savelio Tamale - 20
6. Latu Fainu - 20
7. Isaiya Katoa - 21
8. Adin Fonua-Blake - 29
9. Siliva Havili - 32
10. Moeaki Fotuaika - 25
11. Haumole Olakau'atu - 26
12. Keaon Koloamatangi - 27
13. Jason Taumalolo - 32

14. Leka Halasima - 19
15. Eliesa Katoa - 24
16. Taniela Paseka -27
17. Soni Luke - 29

18. David Fifita - 25
19. Moses Suli - 27
20. Siua Wong - 22
21. Kulikefu Finefuiaki - 21
22. Will Penisini - 22
23. Samuela Fainu - 21
24. Sione Fainu - 24
25. Hame Sele - 28
26. Sio Siua Taukieaho - 33
27. Siosifa Talakai - 28
28. Viliami Vailea - 22
29. Fonua Pole - 23
30. Junior Tupou - 22
31. Starford To'a - 25
32. Christian Tuipulotu - 24
33. Tuku Hau Tapuha - 23
34. Tuimoala Lolohea - 30


Anyone I have missed? Any other players to look out for in the future?

 

[welshmagpie]

If Tesi Niu sustains his form at Leigh he will certainly be under consideration

 

[shadowformz]

Heamasi Makasini is one to watch in future. I'd have Lehi Hopoate at 5/8 and Latu coming off the bench as hooker/xfactor. Sione Katoa on the wing.

 

[taste2taste]

Is this a team that can win the Pacific Championships? Challenge in the 2026 RLWC? Their spine is starting to look very dangerous and should keep getting better for the next 10+ years.

Looking at the ages of a large portion of this team, can't help but think they're a World Class Hooker, Lock and few more Props and little bit more depth in the halves away from already having a complete and extremely strong squad for the 2030 RLWC.

1. Isaiah Iongi - 22
2. Lehi Hopoate - 20
3. Robert Toia - 20 (?) /Toluta'u Koula - 22
4. Paul Alamoti - 21 /Kotoni Staggs - 26
5. Savelio Tamale - 20
6. Latu Fainu - 20
7. Isaiya Katoa - 21
8. Adin Fonua-Blake - 29
9. Siliva Havili - 32
10. Moeaki Fotuaika - 25
11. Haumole Olakau'atu - 26
12. Keaon Koloamatangi - 27
13. Jason Taumalolo - 32

14. Leka Halasima - 19
15. Eliesa Katoa - 24
16. Taniela Paseka -27
17. Soni Luke - 29

18. David Fifita - 25
19. Moses Suli - 27
20. Siua Wong - 22
21. Kulikefu Finefuiaki - 21
22. Will Penisini - 22
23. Samuela Fainu - 21
24. Sione Fainu - 24
25. Hame Sele - 28
26. Sio Siua Taukieaho - 33
27. Siosifa Talakai - 28
28. Viliami Vailea - 22
29. Fonua Pole - 23
30. Junior Tupou - 22
31. Starford To'a - 25
32. Christian Tuipulotu - 24
33. Tuku Hau Tapuha - 23
34. Tuimoala Lolohea - 30


Anyone I have missed? Any other players to look out for in the future?

That team is scary good, especially now they have a gun 6 and 7. They nearly beat the kangaroos last year, they can win the WC if fully fit.

 

[Chins]

Soni Luke is a bum and no chance to be picked

 

[taste2taste]

Soni Luke is a bum and no chance to be picked

wasn’t Soni tipped to be a gun ? It’s one of the main reasons Penrith were happy to let Api leave ?

 

[Chins]

wasn’t Soni tipped to be a gun ? It’s one of the main reasons Penrith were happy to let Api leave ?

Only by bad judges haha, he's one that just never really kicked on. He's a selfish player who looks good at lower levels, he'd starve Tonga's gun halves of good ball.

 

[Perth Red]

Looking forward to pacific championships this year. With no Australia its wide open. I wish they'd made it a 5 nations with NZ, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and PNG. That would have been brilliant.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Samoa

1. Hammer
2. To'o
3. Tago
4. Crichton
5. Tuilagi
6. Talagi
7. Luai
8. Haas
9. Levi / Erin Clarke (?)
10. May
11. Nanai
12. Sua
13. Tino

14. CTH
15. Stefano
16. Leinu
17. Tevaga

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Australia

1. Edwards
2. Coates
3. Latrell
4. Turbo / Val
5. Lomax
6. Munster
7. Moses
8. Barnett
9. Grant
10. Carrigan (Flegler when he returns)
11. Martin
12. Crichton
13. Yeo

14. Dearden
15. Collins
16. Smith (Carrigan when Flegler returns)
17. Murray

 

[Clarkent]

Samoa

1. Hammer
2. To'o
3. Tago
4. Crichton
5. Tuilagi
6. Talagi
7. Luai
8. Haas
9. Levi / Erin Clarke (?)
10. May
11. Nanai
12. Sua
13. Tino

14. CTH
15. Stefano
16. Leinu
17. Tevaga

Levi hasn't made the samoan team in 3 years now. I would have Tevaga at 9 and May is putting his hand up for that 3 jersey. I would have Vaimauga over Stefano. Lykan King-Togia and Joash Papali'i are a couple of young players that could come good next year

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Levi hasn't made the samoan team in 3 years now. I would have Tevaga at 9 and May is putting his hand up for that 3 jersey. I would have Vaimauga over Stefano. Lykan King-Togia and Joash Papali'i are a couple of young players that could come good next year

Yea agree Jazz at 9. I'd also push Tino upfront to start with Haas and start Clarke at 13. His foot speed around the marker and A-defender channel has been massive for the Wahs this season.

Taulagi into centre with RTS on the wing might be an option too? Bit of a shoe-horn but I'm finding it hard to imagine a Samoan team without Rog in it...

 

[titoelcolombiano]

All the talk is about RU Lions tours and RUWC. I think the level of interest and TV ratings will surprise a lot of people when the RLWC rolls around in Australia. Ratings have been great for the Pacific Championships. Crowds were good, but we need to go up another level in that department.

 

[Matua]

Yea agree Jazz at 9. I'd also push Tino upfront to start with Haas and start Clarke at 13. His foot speed around the marker and A-defender channel has been massive for the Wahs this season.

Taulagi into centre with RTS on the wing might be an option too? Bit of a shoe-horn but I'm finding it hard to imagine a Samoan team without Rog in it...

Does Clark want to play for Samoa? He was in the Kiwis last year. He's in better form this year than he was last year too. I guess it depends on how many players have to get ops at the end of the year.

 

[nko11]

Samoa

1. Hammer
2. To'o
3. Tago
4. Crichton
5. Tuilagi
6. Talagi
7. Luai
8. Haas
9. Levi / Erin Clarke (?)
10. May
11. Nanai
12. Sua
13. Tino

14. CTH
15. Stefano
16. Leinu
17. Tevaga

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.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

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.

Isn't it crazy to think that despite how good that Samoan team is, Tonga could be better. Looking forward to the world cup, it'll be a cracker. Hopefully NZ gets Ponga and a new coach I want them strong too.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Does Clark want to play for Samoa? He was in the Kiwis last year. He's in better form this year than he was last year too. I guess it depends on how many players have to get ops at the end of the year.

Yea I dunno what he wants to do, and there's obviously a few others in the theoretical Samoan team in the same boat. But if he opts for Samoa, I'd start him at 13. If not, I'll happily watch him rip in for the Kiwis too.

 

[Matua]

Yea I dunno what he wants to do, and there's obviously a few others in the theoretical Samoan team in the same boat. But if he opts for Samoa, I'd start him at 13. If not, I'll happily watch him rip in for the Kiwis too.

Yeah, he's definitely a 13 these days, seems to be a thing with NZ hookers to wind up playing 13.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Yeah, he's definitely a 13 these days, seems to be a thing with NZ hookers to wind up playing 13.

Yea a bloody good one too. Starting to show some of his old halves background as well, got some nice link play emerging. Part of the reason I'd start him at lock for Samoa if he jumps over.

Gardiner's had some experience with a pretty handy link man at Penrith and if he can get something similar out of Clarke, along with his direct running, I think the extra width would be good for Luai and Talagi.

 

[Matua]

Yea a bloody good one too. Starting to show some of his old halves background as well, got some nice link play emerging. Part of the reason I'd start him at lock for Samoa if he jumps over.

Gardiner's had some experience with a pretty handy link man at Penrith and if he can get something similar out of Clarke, along with his direct running, I think the extra width would be good for Luai and Talagi.

Agree with all that (well aside from him doing it for Samoa ).