With the game’s most exciting young talent joining with some of the NRL’s top forwards, coach Kristian Woolf is confident Tonga will make an impact in this year’s Pacific Championships.
All three NRL rookie of the year nominees Leka Halasima, Isaiah Iongi and winner Rob Toia are in the squad, with fellow youngsters Demitric Vaimauga and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, as well as NSW Blues and Storm prop Stefano Utoikamanu, also set to make their playing debuts.
Tonga rookie Rob Toia is tackled by Samoa’s Brian To’o during the 2025 State of Origin series.
©NRL Images
“I think talent-wise, it’s as good, if not better than any squad that we put together, and I just love the elite feel of it,” Woolf said.
“Every one of those 21 are playing NRL every week; they’re not just playing NRL, but they’re key players.
“They’re playing a big part and you look at how many players featured in finals, how many players featured in Dally Ms and all three rookie of the year nominees were Tongan and I look at those sorts of things, it’s really exciting.”
With co-captains Jason Taumalolo and Addin Fonua-Blake providing the experience up front, Woolf said he had confidence his side could more than match it against a star-studded Samoa side headlined by the inclusion of Broncos premiership-winning prop Payne Haas.
“I’ve always got confidence in this group, I know the leaders that we’ve got, how much it means to them and how well they play and how well they lead from the front,” Woolf said.
“The other players love being a part of that … I know that we’ve got 21 players that all they want to do is play for Tonga and when they come into camp, that’s what they show us as well.
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“They’ll show that through their effort, they’ll show that through their fitness, they’ll show that through their performance, how they carry themselves in camp and that gives me a real confidence and it’s what I’m really looking forward to.”
While no longer a rookie, much of Tonga’s success will rest in the hands of halfback Isaiya Katoa, who first caused fans to sit up with interest when he starred as a teen in the red jersey.
The now 21-year-old was elevated to the co-captaincy of the Dolphins this season and finished equal third on the Dally M medal tally, with Woolf saying there was more to come from his star.
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“I know he’s really hungry to get into this camp … you could just tell in the way he spoke and how engaged he was and what he was talking about, he’s been thinking well before I have, so he’s looking forward to it, he’s ready to go,” Woolf said.
“Last year’s series gave him a lot of confidence in what he can do at such a high level; when he’s playing against Australia and the way he played in those two games and what he was able to do against the Kiwis as well.
“I just know that he’s coming in so much more confident, so better prepared.
“He’s going to be a better player again and I’m sure he’ll get more confidence out of this series as well …
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“He’s grown in confidence (in leadership) as well and the position that he plays and the impact that he has on the team asks him to do that … he knows what it takes to be the halfback that’s leading the team around every week at a high level and he knows how to win doing that.
“He knows how to lead the team as a leader, so I’m really looking forward to the influence he’s got there.”
Before they take to the field, the team will undertake a trip back to Tonga, with Woolf saying it was a great opportunity for players and staff to return to the country after last visiting in 2019.
“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.
“It’s going to be a little bit different; we’re going before we play this this time, but we’re also going over for 150 years 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.
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“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.
“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.”
Tonga fans support their team in the 2024 Pacific Championships final.
©Grant Trouville / NRL Images
Tonga’s first game is a blockbuster against Samoa at Suncorp Stadium on October 26, with Woolf hoping to see the fans turn out in numbers.
“It’s an extremely important game. I think the crowd will show that,” Woolf said.
“I’ve got no doubt that we’ll get up around 40,000, and I know ticket sales have been exceptional.
“I know that plenty of Samoan fans have jumped on the back of the team that Samoa have put together and our fans will do the same.
“I’d encourage them to; we’ve been great in the past.
“No one beats Tongan crowds, and we’re going to need that to help us with this game and to match what Samoa are going to bring in terms of crowds as well.”
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