'Brighter future after me': Taumalolo backs Tonga's Gen Next to fulfil Cup vow

“It makes me feel good when I hear that,” Taumalolo said. “They are doing the same thing to try and inspire young Samoans and the next generation coming through to represent their heritage.

“It is great to see and it is only going to grow the game more. I think it will be make the international level a lot stronger because you won’t just see Australia, New Zealand and England winning all the time.

“You will start to see Pacific nations who have guys who want to represent their heritage come through and make it stronger.”

Young talent time

Addin Fonua-Blake played for New Zealand at the 2017 World Cup and Felise Kaufusi was in the victorious Australian squad, but both are now representing their heritage after being inspired by Tonga's performance and the support of their fans.

"I think what everyone wanted to do when they came together at the 2017 World Cup was to try and put Tonga on the map in international rugby league," Fonua-Blake said.

"It’s come a long way and now we have those young guns coming up. We want to inspire the next generation to come to play for their own country rather the bigger pay packet."

Kaufusi, who was the first player to sign with the Dolphins, has taken Katoa under his wing after the 18-year-old was lured from the Panthers to join the new NRL franchise.

Having achieved the rare distinction of playing a Test against Papua New Guinea in the opening round of World Cup matches before making his NRL debut, Katoa has also been completing his HSC while in England.

"He has already shown the class he has got and he is supported by a good family," Kaufusi said. "I met his mum and dad before we came over and they are excited for the move. I think the sky is the limit for him."

Katoa, whose brother Sione played hooker for Tonga at the 2017 World Cup, has been logging on as early as 6.30am for exams and then training with the team.

“Coming into this camp I just wanted to be a sponge and learn as much as I can to prepare myself for the 2023 season," he said. “It is unreal that I have been given a shot at international footy before NRL. That is something that I dreamed of."

Taumalolo factor

Taumalolo watched Tonga's first two World Cup matches against the Kumuls and Wales alongside Woolf in the coach's box as he was suspended, and the star lock admits he was a frustrated specatator.

With Taumalolo back in the side, Tonga thrashed Cook Islands 92-10 in Doncaster last weekend to warm-up for a Pacific showdown with Samoa that many compare to State of Origin.

"Obviously Jason is a big personality in the middle, he is another big body in the middle and he is obviously a very experienced player so he knows the ins-and-outs of the game. He is also very vocal," Fonua Blake said.

“He is the best No.13 in the world and has been for a number of years. He is one of those players who makes everyone excited to play with him.”

Taumalolo's on field influence was best highlighted in North Queensland's semi-final defeat of Cronulla when he scored a try to level the scores and then made the run to get Val Holmes within field goal range.

Almost any other team trailing by six points in a sudden-death match with just seconds on the clock would give the ball to their halfback, but the Cowboys passed to Taumalolo and he charged over to score.

“He is an exceptional player, he has been playing for almost a decade in the NRL and I think that if you look over the course of that time he has been the best if not one of the best forwards in the game every year," Woolf said.

"A lot of players can have a good year but he has had really good years every year over that period. That’s what makes him exceptional and he knows how to step up in the big games."

Island of Origin

Tonga will also be bolstered by the return of hooker Siliva Havili and fullback Will Hopoate, who only played 12 games for St Helens this season but got to sing the club's victory song on each occasion.

However, Samoa have bounced back from their 66-6 loss to England in the opening match of the tournament to beat Greece 72-4 and France 62-4 in impressive fashion.

“I think it is the most competitive World Cup, and there are certainly games that don’t make it look that way, but now we are coming into the quarter finals you will see how strong the competition is and how competitive it is," Woolf said.

“If you look at your big three, all three are playing exceptionally well and would go in as favourites but I am very confident in what we can do.

"We are building and we are getting better. We have got some momentum behind us and some players to come in who will make us better.

“I know Samoa didn’t start well but they are going to be a real threat in the finals.

“If you look at the talent we have got in the squad, how hard we have worked and everything we have been able to put together to make sure we give ourselves the best opportunity here, it would be very disappointing if we got knocked out."