Superstar halfback Isaiya Katoa has been ruled out of Tonga’s game against Lebanon on Friday that could open the door for Junior Amone to come into the side.
Katoa aggravated an ankle injury in Tonga’s win over England but played through the discomfort to lead his team to a famous win in Perth.
It was the same injury that forced him to leave Suncorp Stadium in a moon boot after the Dolphins were knocked out in the preliminary final by the Roosters.
Katoa trained away from the team on Tuesday and was named to play, but he was officially ruled out on Thursday morning.
Latu Fainu is the obvious option to replace him in the halves despite coming off early against England with a pec injury.
But coach Kristian Woolf has another option in Amone, who was part of Tonga’s 2022 World Cup campaign but hasn’t played an NRL game since 2023.
The former Dragons playmaker was initially banned from playing under the NRL’s no fault stand-down policy after he was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, stalking or intimidation and destroying or damaging property.
He returned to the field that year but was stood down by his club after he and his father were found guilty following an incident with a tradie in 2022.
Amone played in the Queensland Cup this year and is looking for another opportunity in the NRL if he impresses at the World Cup and has his contract approved.
“He’s been pretty special,” Katoa said of Amone earlier in the week.
“For everything that he’s gone through, to still have the drive and the hunger to get back to the NRL is great.
“Obviously, there’s a little bit of legal stuff that is out of my control and I probably won’t speak on, but just to see his attitude to want to get back and not only prove something to his family but also prove something to himself.
“He’s such a talent. I think he went over to Queensland and played in the Q-Cup with Wynnum and I heard that he absolutely killed it. If he does get his opportunity, it’ll be pretty special for him, and everyone’s so happy to have him back in camp.
“He was in the last World Cup with us, and I think that was probably some of the last footy that he played.
“Everyone loves having him around the group, he’s always happy, he’s always real positive with everything going on in his life, and he’s always still wanting to put a smile on people’s faces.
“It’s a good tell of his character and probably a good tell of his family as well.”
Originally published as ‘He’s been pretty special’: Isaiya Katoa injury could see Junior Amone make shock return for Tonga