Taumalolo, AFB to lead powerful Tonga side against Kangaroos

Panthers centre Paul Alamoti has been rewarded for his finals form with selection in the Tonga team to play Australia and New Zealand in the Pacific Championships.

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, with the side to be led by Jason Taumalolo and Addin Fonua-Blake.

Dolphins playmaker Isaiya Katoa is set to play in the halves with Huddersfield’s Tui 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 secondrower Sitili Tupouniua, Roosters team-mate Siua Wong, boom Cowboys forward Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 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 No.1 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.

Alamoti scored the try that sealed Penrith's grand final victory on Sunday night to cap a remarkable rise in his second season of NRL after debuting in 2023 for the Bulldogs.

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary had spotted Alamoti progressing through the junior grades and quickly established the youngster had the talent and attributes to thrive in his system.

Once handed an opportunity in Round 7, it wasn't all smooth sailing for Alamoti. The outside back fractured his arm in a Round 20 win over the Dolphins, a match best remembered for Nathan Cleary's stunning return from a hamstring injury. 

Alamoti returned in Round 26 and quickly found his stride, kicking goals while Cleary nursed a shoulder injury before scoring a crucial double in last week's preliminary final.

He continued his impressive form in the grand final, having a hand in Penrith's first try for winger Sunia Turuva and scoring himself in the second half to seal the 14-6 win.

The Tonga women's team will be co-captained by Sharks second-rower Vanessa Foliaki and Wests Tigers centre Natasha Penitani, whose sister Tiana was named in the Jillaroos squad.

The squad also features Bulldogs recruits Pani Hopoate and Tegan Dymock, Warriors signing Emmanita Paki, Eels playmaker Cassey Tohi-Hiku and Titans forward Dannii Perese. 

Tonga will play Samoa in Fiji on October 19, with the Pacific Championships fixture to double as a World Cup qualifier.

The winner will meet the victor of the October 26 clash between Fiji and Cook Islands in Auckland on November 3 for a place in the 2026 World Cup to be staged in Australia and Papua New Guinea.

The winning nation in Auckland will also meet the third ranked team in the Pacific Cup - either Australia, New Zealand or Papua New Guinea - at CommBank Stadium on November 10.

The runner-up of the World Cup qualifiers will play in the 2025 World Series against Nigeria, the winner of a European play-off between Greece and Ireland and a team from the Americas - either Canada, Jamaica or the United States.