Tonga and Jason Taumalolo against New Zealand during the Pacific Championships last year. Photo: Facebook / Tonga Rugby League
Tonga Rugby League (TRL) is calling on all Tongans to unite behind their national teams named to compete in the upcoming Pacific Championships.
TRL chairman Lord Fakafanua has named both their men and women's teams.
The men's team will compete for the Pacific Cup against Pacific neighbour Samoa and New Zealand.
Twelve months ago, the team lost out in the final against Australia after they upset New Zealand in an earlier pool game.
The women's team will face Papua New Guinea and the Cook Islands for the Pacific Bowl women's title.
While announcing the two squad earlier this week, Lord Fakafanua said the teams have a lot of talent and Tongan fans should support both teams in their campaign.
"We look forward to an exciting campaign ahead. The teams are full of talent, pride and passion for Tonga," he said.
"Let us all unite and get behind our teams as they fly the Tongan flag on the world stage."
Star names in the men's squad, formerly known as Mate Ma'a Tonga, include veteran Jason Taumalolo, one of the initial group of players who opted to play for his country of origin in 2017, and strongman Addin Fonua-Blake.
Both have been named as co-captains by head coach Kristian Woolf.
Queensland State of Origin centre Robert Toia is also in the squad, alongside Melbourne Storm's Stefano Utoikamanu, who played for the Storm in Sunday's NRL Grand Final losst against the Broncos.
Dolphins playmaker Isaiya Katoa, South Sydney Rabbitohs Siliva Havili and Sydney Roosters speedster Daniel Tupou are regulars in the side.
The Tongan men will face Samoa at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, 26 October, before they travel to New Zealand to play the Kiwis at Eden Park on Sunday, 2 November.
But before their on field battle the squad will get together in Nuku'alofa for a pre-tournament camp.
Lord Fakafanua confirmed to RNZ Pacific earlier that the team will be in Tonga by 14 October.
Woolf told NRL media this week that he has confidence in the squad and he was looking forward to taking the players back to Tonga ahead of their crucial Polynesian battle against Samoa.
"COVID was the biggest reason that put a stop to travel over there … obviously we'd just beaten Australia, we had so many things to go back and celebrate and so many things for the people of Tonga to celebrate as well," Woolf said, referring to their last visit in 2019.
"It's going to be a little bit different; we're going before we play this time, but we're also going over for 150 years celebration for the constitution of Tonga and that's a really proud thing for Tongan people and a really proud thing for our players to be a part of and a really big event.
"I know that all the players that I've spoken to are really looking forward to it. There are guys there that haven't been back since they were 3,4,7 (years old); they've got really close connections there and parents born there and raised there …, but for different reasons, it's a hard place to get to sometimes."
He said past visits had lifted the players every time and that was something he is looking forward to.
"Every time I've been to Tonga, it just changes you a little bit, you know who you're playing for, you know what you're playing for, and that's what I want the players to get out of it, and I know that the country will get plenty out of us being there as well," he said.
Meanwhile, their women's squad also have some experienced hands.
Their women's squad include NRL players Natasha Penitani and Pani Hopoate.
Penitani, 27, has decided to switch and join her country of origin, opting out of selection for the Australian Jillaroos.
The Tongan women have Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea to contest against in the women's Pacific Bowl competition.
They play their first game against Cook Islands on 25 October and then meet the PNG Orchids on 1 November.
New Tongan coaches Meg Ward and Vanessa Foliaki, who played together for the Jillaroos at the 2017 World Cup, have been working on the squad, with an eye set on the 2028 Women's World Cup.
Foliaki captained Tonga in last year's RLWC2026 qualifier against Samoa.
Men's squad: Paul Alamoti (Penrith Panthers), Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Dolphins), Addin Fonua-Blake (c) (Cronulla Sharks), Moeaki Fotuaika (Gold Coast Titans), Leka Halasima (Warriors), Siliva Havili (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Lehi Hopoate (Manly Sea Eagles), Eliesa Katoa (Melbourne Storm), Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins), Sione Katoa (Cronulla Sharks), Felise Kaufusi (Dolphins), Tolu Koula (Manly Sea Eagles), Isaiah Iongi (Parramatta Eels), Soni Luke (Penrith Panthers), Will Penisini (Parramatta Eels), Jason Taumalolo (c) (North Queensland Cowboys), Robert Toia (Sydney Roosters), Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters), Stefano Utoikamanu (Melbourne Storm), Demitric Vaimauga (Warriors), Siua Wong (Sydney Roosters)
Women's squad: Moana Courtenay, Ruby Fifita, Pani Hopoate, Fane Finau, Tatiana Finau, Jade Fonua, Simina Lokotui, Ana Lynch-Malupo, Amelia Mafi, Seli Mailangi, Martha Mataele, Shannon Muru, Aliyah Nasio, Emmanita Paki, Natasha Penitani, Pauline Suli Ruka, Manilita Takapautolo, Lavinia Tauhalaliku, Kaylani Tavita, Malia Tuifua
