Departing One New Zealand Warriors front rower Addin Fonua-Blake is one of two captains named for Tonga’s Pacific Championships campaign against the New Zealand Kiwis and the Kangaroos.
A one-Test Kiwi in 2017, Fonua-Blake is joined as captain by another former Kiwi in Jason Taumalolo, who played 10 Tests for New Zealand from 2014 to 2017.
Also in Tonga’s squad are three former Warriors in Melbourne second rower Eliesa Katoa, South Sydney hooker Siliva Havili and Huddersfield standoff Tuimoala Lolohea.
Tonga will meet the Kangaroos in the opening match of the tournament at Suncorp Stadium on October 18 before facing the Kiwis at Go Media Stadium on November 3.
Dolphins playmaker Isaiya Katoa is set to play in the halves with Lolohea, who is the only member of the squad returning from the Super League.
The pair will play behind a powerful forward pack that includes Taumalolo, Fonua-Blake, Keaon Koloamatangi, Haumole Olakau’atu, Eli Katoa and Felise Kaufusi.
Bulldogs-bound second rower Sitili Tupouniua, Roosters team-mate Siua Wong, boom Cowboys forward Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Manly prop Taniela Paseka are also in the squad along with Rabbitohs hooker Siliva Havili and Penrith's Soni Luke.
The backline features star rookie Lehi Hopoate, whose brother Will captained Tonga and wore the No1 jersey, Sea Eagles team-mate Tolu Koula, Dragons centre Mosese Suli, Roosters winger Daniel Tupou, Cronulla’s Sione Katoa, Alamoti and Eels recruit Isaiah Iongi.
2024 PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS
Tonga
Paul Alamoti (Penrith Panthers)
Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (North Queensland Cowboys)
Addin Fonua-Blake (One New Zealand Warriors) captain
Siliva Havili (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Lehi Hopoate (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
Isaiah Iongi (Penrith Panthers)
Eliesa Katoa (Melbourne Storm)
Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins)
Sione Katoa (Cronulla Sutherland Sharks)
Felise Kafusi (Dolphins)
Keaon Koloamatangi (Sydney Rabbitohs)
Tolu Koula (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
Tuimoala Lolohea (Huddersfield Giants)
Soni Luke (Penrith Panthers)
Haumole Olakau’atu (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
Taniela Paseka (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
Mosese Suli (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland Cowboys) captain
Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters)
Sitili Tupouniua (Sydney Roosters)
Siua Wong (Sydney Roosters)
