There’s still three more massive Super League games to wrap up but it’s hard not to get excited for the return of international rugby league with England hosting Tonga on the horizon, with game one at St Helens’ Totally Wicked Stadium less than three weeks away.
Before then there’s the small matter of two Super League semi-finals and then the Grand Final to play but with the announcement of Tonga’s squad to face England today the hype for the international game is understandably real.
Upon the announcement of a test series that would see Tonga tour England it was queried to Tongan Head Coach Kristian Woolf if he would utilise some of the Tongan talent within Super League, as he had done at the World Cup.
That question has been answered in so much as he’s named the same Super League trio that starred at the World Cup once again to face England, but no new faces from Super League will feature.
Will Hopoate, Konrad Hurrell and Tui Lolohea have all made the cut into Kristian Woolf’s squad, two of whom are still in play-off action, but they are the only three Super League representatives.
As such Leigh Leopards prop Tom Amone is left out despite a wonderful debut Super League season in which he made the Dream Team and led the league in metres.
It will be a huge disappointment to what had been a wonderful season for the prop forward having helped guide the Leopards to Challenge Cup success and the play-offs as well.
Previously his head coach Adrian Lam had petitioned for Amone to earn a call-up, something that seemingly fell on deaf ears.
Speaking on the Leopards Youtube Channel, Lam said: “I think Tom Amone should be in consideration for the Tonga squad, too. It’s important to acknowledge what he has done for our side.”
Despite Amone’s omission there are still three Super League men involved in Saints pair Will Hopoate and Konrad Hurrell as well as Huddersfield playmaker Tui Lolohea, the three potentially set to star for their national side at their Super League home grounds.
The Tongan team will go into camp at Redcliffe this weekend before flying out for England next week.
The series gets underway at St Helens on October 22 followed by Tests at Huddersfield on October 28 and Leeds on November 4.
Tonga Squad
Latu Fainu (Sea Eagles)
Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors)
Moeaki Fotuaika (Titans)
Tyson Frizell (Knights)
Siliva Havili (Rabbitohs)
William Hopoate (St Helens)
Konrad Hurrell (St Helens)
Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins)
Eliesa Katoa (Storm)
Felise Kaufusi (Dolphins)
Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs)
Tolutau Koula (Sea Eagles)
Tuimoala Lolohea (Huddersfield Giants)
Haumole Olakau’atu (Sea Eagles)
Will Penisini (Eels)
Hame Sele (Rabbitohs)
Mosese Suli (Dragons)
Tevita Tatola (Rabbitohs)
Dion Teaupa (Rabbitohs)
Starford To’a (Wests Tigers)
Daniel Tupou (Roosters)
Siua Wong (Roosters)
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