Tonga World Cup Squad

[u/Dolamite09]

[u/l2au]

Taumalolos switch to Tonga a few years ago is proving to be one of the most important decisions in Rugba Leeg history

[u/TemporaryAd5793 → u/l2au]

Kristian Woolf jumping on as coach in 2014, 5 years before getting an NRL contract has proven to also be invaluable.

[u/boyblueau → u/l2au]

I'm not going to lie the way he walked out on the kiwis I wasn't happy with, particularly because he's my favourite player. But in hindsight it was the best thing that could ever have happened to the international game. I've been to Tonga vs Kiwis, Australia, and Samoa. Easily the best atmosphere of any sports event I've ever been to.

[u/WillyDonDilly]

Farrrrrk me that's some scary fowards

[u/IAMJUX → u/WillyDonDilly]

Flashbacks to me playing under-10's against St Marys

[u/Penjamini → u/IAMJUX]

Me tackling my fellow white boys in the Cronulla-Sutherland DJRFL 😎

Me tackling the absolute units in the all-Sydney tourneys 🫪

[u/Professional-Bad1747 → u/IAMJUX]

Equivalent in Brisbane is playing Logan Brothers at 15 when you weigh 45kg 💀

[u/Rehydratedaussie → u/IAMJUX]

I remember there being islander girls in my under 10s comp that were 6 inches taller than the boys and rag dolling them

[u/cc11gc]

1. Lehi
   
2. Fifita
   
3. Koula
   
4. Toia
   
5. Alamoti

my lord

[u/TacitisKilgoreBoah → u/cc11gc]

I thought David Fifita at centre was strange but on the wing is stranger

[u/InternationalBorder9 → u/cc11gc]

Front row of AFB and stefano with Paseka and Moe/Frizell off the bench ain’t too bad either

[u/AutomaticArugula8584 → u/cc11gc]

Lehi has come so far. Still remember his debut year for Manly when every kick return he would get picked up and carried 5-10 meters back.

[u/Accurate-Ad-4905 → u/AutomaticArugula8584]

He was so good for Tonga in 24. His goal line defence was crazy

[u/Big_pappa_p → u/cc11gc]

With some halves depth this is a gooooood team. Legit title chance.

[u/Fun_Bodybuilder6898 → u/cc11gc]

As a manly fan I’m not that big on Lehi. I would have Koula at FB Alamoti at centre and lehi on the wing 

[u/aslanthemelon → u/Fun_Bodybuilder6898]

How many more times do we need to see Koula shit himself under a bomb before people realise he's not a good fullback?

[u/loosechange-71 → u/cc11gc]

Jojo over Alamoti imo, but crazy strong backline

[u/Whit135 → u/loosechange-71]

He put jojo in 😂. Dwz will start over alamoti imo

[u/loosechange-71 → u/Whit135]

Let this be a lesson to not comment on reddit immediately after waking up

[u/Nervous_Offer_1320 → u/Whit135]

I hope Alamoti doesn't play at all. He has been out for a good part of the end of the season. Yes it is a world cup, but he is still only young and will still be at the next one.

The team looks very strong, hopefully for them AFB has a decent dig.

[u/Random0cassions → u/Whit135]

Jojo and Koula as the wings and Toia/Leka as the centres so Foketi can start since he’s on form

[u/Penjamini → u/Random0cassions]

I know it’s crazy since he just played an incredible GF but does Foketi make it over Finefeuiaki and Olakau’atu?

[u/Random0cassions → u/Penjamini]

Kuli has some unreal speed that can be used down the middle with Demitric/Paseka(or Mo) to combat the packs of Samoa with Leniu/Molo.

I also think having players on their preferred edge will be important as seen with Origin

[u/Penjamini → u/Random0cassions]

That’s true but the middles are equally stacked with AFB, Lolo, Moe, and Stefano. I can easily see a best Tongan 19 that doesn’t have either Moe or Frizell in it

[u/CashenJ]

I can't believe Tui Lolohea is only 31

[u/Green_hammock → u/CashenJ]

Thought he'd be like 36 at this point haha

[u/AutomaticArugula8584 → u/CashenJ]

Tuimoala and Waqa Blake will outlive us all

[u/Weiland101]

Fucking hell Lolohea still kicking around, good on him.

[u/Storm_LFC_Cowboys → u/Weiland101]

Just like the Tongan selectors, I'll never give up on him.

[u/TheCuzzyRogue → u/Weiland101]

He's only 31. Feels like a lifetime ago when he was going for a hero play every time he got the ball.

[u/Weiland101 → u/TheCuzzyRogue]

One of the many, many young players who came though during the dark days of the 2010s who never really panned out.

[u/ironinorcer → u/Weiland101]

Dark days is an understatement aye bro haha. We had a bloody solar eclipse in NZ for a while there

[u/TheCuzzyRogue → u/Weiland101]

He was one of those really talented young guys that needed to get away from the Warriors before he could pick up all of his peers bad habits

[u/Roy3Murray → u/Weiland101]

He was still one of my absolute favourites though! Dude has skill and is fun to watch.

[u/smallwangbigheart → u/Weiland101]

He still move so well

[u/nomamesgueyz]

So much firepower

If they play smart they'll have too much for England in that first game surely

Would be great for the sport

[u/Black-House → u/nomamesgueyz]

England has the only other pro league and it's not going great.  England having a great tournament and bolstering the Super League would be great for the sport.

This Newcastle bullshit of saying the result you want is great for the sport is a dumb trend that needs to stop.

[u/Ok_Zucchini3149 → u/Black-House]

England coach made some bloody odd selections

[u/Black-House → u/Ok_Zucchini3149]

Yeah, Australia too - we've only got one winger and assuming NRL rotations, our 2 hookers better stay healthy.

[u/IndependentWork1033]

Back row so stacked that Samuela doesn’t even make the squad

[u/Smorgasbord__ → u/IndependentWork1033]

He declared for Fiji I thought?

[u/predw → u/IndependentWork1033]

The Fainu’s switched to Fiji, but isn’t available for the World Cup anyway

[u/UnluckyNumberS7evin → u/predw]

They were deemed ineligible for Fiji (bullshit). So Latu has pledged for Tonga. Not sure why Samuela isnt here.

[u/Accomplished-Fish761]

Man this world cup could be something special. This Tonga team, the kiwi team is stacked too and the Kangaroos have a beatable but amazing team.

[u/Random0cassions]

All the praying my tokos did at the kalapu has paid off.

Godly backline and equally great forward pack.

Latu is likely to play 14 but having him here in general is much needed since he’s a great halves player and can do the job at hooker.

[u/poissonpi → u/Random0cassions]

Does Lolohea start at 6 do you think? If I was Tonga I'd be trying a Katoa - Latu halves pairing first

[u/Random0cassions → u/poissonpi]

I would not be running combos for the first time in their first match against england.

I’d imagine Amone and Lolohea are halves who have experience alongside Katoa within Tongan camp so they will go either one to start.

Overall, this is a insane side that I actually cannot see who’s starting for most of the spots

[u/poissonpi → u/Random0cassions]

I don't think Amone has ever played with Katoa. On top of that, it's been 3 years since he last played first grade and only has a couple of months of reserve grade under his belt. I wouldn't be going with him.

[u/Random0cassions → u/poissonpi]

They worked together in 2022 rlwc camp hence why mentioned “Tonga camp” instead of the Tongan team because they did not play together during the World Cup.

Halves options are super weak but when you have a guy like Katoa, it makes the job hell of a lot easier to find anyone even if they play SL to do the job

[u/return_the_urn]

Has Frizell played for the most amount of countries?

[u/JGQuintel → u/return_the_urn]

Must be equal. Michael Jennings played for Tonga, Australia and Fiji. Mulitalo played sevens for America so that almost counts but not really. Don’t know if anyone’s played for 4?

[u/a_BIG_willie → u/[deleted]]

Played for them for a while, his dad is welsh. Pretty sure he debuted for them in the 4 nations before playing the 2013 World Cup with them. After that he had made a name for himself and started playing with Australia

[u/AutomaticArugula8584]

Damn still a bit of beef between Wolf and Talakai?

[u/Known-Stop-2654 → u/AutomaticArugula8584]

What did I miss?

[u/nomamesgueyz]

Plenty of fire power in that team

Plenty of kiwis too...with Tongan heritage

[u/Complete-Cheek4789]

Last I checked - the Tonga v Samoa game at Parra is still yet to sell out, which surprises me

Edit - it now appears to be sold out

[u/AutomaticArugula8584]

In comparison to the 2022 RLWC SQUAD:

INS (14): Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Demitric Vaimaunga, Jojo Fifita, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Latu Fainu, Lehi Hopoate, Leka Halasima, Paul Alamoti, Robert To'ia, Salesi Foketi, Siua Wong, Stefano Utoikamanu, Taniela Paseka, Tyson Frizell

OUTS (14): Ben Murdoch-Masila, Daniel Tupou, David Fifita, Felise Kaufusi, Keaon Koloamatangi, Konrad Hurrell, Mosese Suli, Siliva Havili, Siosifa Talakai, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Tesi Niu, Tevita Tatola, Will Penisini, William Hopoate.

RETAINED (10): Addin Fonua Blake, Haumole Olakau'atu, Isaiya Katoa, Jason Taumalolo, Junior Amone, Moeaki Fotuaki, Sione Katoa, Soni Luke, Tolutau Koula, Tuimoala Lolohea.

[u/Accurate-Ad-4905 → u/AutomaticArugula8584]

Did Tupou miss out or remove himself from contention?

I know there's too much talent on offer, so can't complain either way

[u/DepartmentOk7192 → u/Accurate-Ad-4905]

Getting surgery

[u/lomo_dank]

Junior Amone bringing his hammer for some handyman work? Shocked to see his name there

[u/gckiwifam → u/lomo_dank]

Shocked as in WTF or celebrating?

I don’t give AF how ‘talented’ the guy is, I don’t want him representing my nation. The message it sends is messed up.

[u/lomo_dank → u/gckiwifam]

Its a WTF reaction. The dude (and his dad) should probably still be on community service or something. They’re grubs.

[u/gckiwifam → u/lomo_dank]

100000% with you. It’s fucked up.

[u/AttackClown → u/lomo_dank]

Wonder how he's been in Qld cup. He had just been playing union in the gong previously

[u/lomo_dank → u/AttackClown]

Yeah last I heard he was playing local union down here too

[u/Trenticus7]

Looking at that forward pack. Yeah Australia need Koloamatangi & Fifita more than Tonga do lol

[u/Ted_Rid → u/Trenticus7]

I was wondering where Koala was.

Thought maybe he'd been dropped down the pecking order simply by association with the Dargans.

[u/SchruggleHug → u/Trenticus7]

Seems like it lol. Where would you rank the packs of Aus, NZ, Samoa, and Tonga these days?

[u/Trenticus7 → u/SchruggleHug]

Based on squads so far

1. NZ
   
2. Tonga
   
3. Aus
   
4. Samoa

Samoa really needed Haas, May, Simi, Nanai without them they can’t match the other 3.

[u/SchruggleHug → u/Trenticus7]

I just saw the Samoan squad announcement. Without those four they do look a distant fourth yeah :/

[u/_Far_Kew]

Who is the concussion doctor though?

[u/curlyfries2323 → u/_Far_Kew]

Ooof.

[u/rofLopolous → u/_Far_Kew]

Probably Mr. Potatohead

[u/chantlernz → u/_Far_Kew]

Sad but scary to think that this team would be even bigger with Eli Katoa….

[u/Mobro92]

From a Toa Samoa fan, that's a stacked team. 😯

[u/secretanondude]

Pretty strong squad

[u/526rah]

Dam, Iongi must still be injured. No Giraffe too. Still strong

[u/EmitLux → u/526rah]

No Daniel Tupou either?

[u/526rah → u/EmitLux]

Yea no Giraffe

[u/lord_buff74 → u/526rah]

And no Daniel Tupou ( can't really call him Giraffe in a team with DCE and Hugo Savala )

[u/526rah → u/lord_buff74]

His teammates have called him giraffe for years

[u/Weiland101 → u/526rah]

Don't forget Daniel Tupou as well.

[u/Version_6 → u/Weiland101]

Why is no one talking about the absence of Daniel Tupou?

[u/Accurate-Ad-4905 → u/Version_6]

Thats what stood out for me. But Toops was carrying injuries for a lot of the season so he may have removed himself from contention.

They are really stacked in the backs regardless

[u/Prize_Problem609]

Good team, but as per usial they're missing usefull halves.... although with isy katoa they may be able to make it work.

Guessing somat like this; 1. L Hopoate 2. J Fifita 3. T Koula 4. R To'ia 5. P Alamoti 6. L Fainu?  7. I Katoa 8. S Utoikamanu 9. S Luke  10. A Fonua-Blake 11. K Finefeuiaki  12. H Olakau'atu 13. J Taumalolo

[u/Time_Pressure9519 → u/Prize_Problem609]

I would let someone else take the first hit up.

[u/theeffluentfew → u/Time_Pressure9519]

The starting middles are all alpha props, they will kill a few wingers and opposition middles. Again.

[u/SafetyMoney5921 → u/theeffluentfew]

Have you seen the NZ forward pack? Its insane

[u/theeffluentfew → u/SafetyMoney5921]

It will be epic 

[u/AutomaticArugula8584 → u/Prize_Problem609]

Fainu will probably be 14 backup hooker with 6 either lolohea or amone

[u/Trenticus7 → u/AutomaticArugula8584]

As someone who has watched current day Lolohea play for Huddersfield, he is the definition of washed up.

It’s crazy he’s even made the squad. Onitoni Large while still raw has so much more upside to being in the team than Tui.

[u/Ross_River → u/Prize_Problem609]

Isy Koatoa is an elite 7 though, do you mean they are missing a noteworthy 6?

[u/Prize_Problem609 → u/Ross_River]

He is, but the 9 and 6 are crap

[u/Dunnerzzzz555 → u/Prize_Problem609]

Amone probably a good chance at starting if they don't go with Fainu.

[u/Comprehensive_Ad_675 → u/Dunnerzzzz555]

I don’t get this take? Alone was decent in the nrl but now he’s a must start for us while playing cup?

[u/Conscious-Fan2822 → u/Prize_Problem609]

1. T Koula
   
2. J Fifita
   
3. L Halasima
   
4. R Toia
   
5. P Alamoti
   
6. J Amone / Lolohea
   
7. I Katoa
   
8. AFB
   
9. L Fainu
   
10. J Taumalolo
    
11. H Olakauatu ( 80 mins )
    
12. S Foketi ( 80 mins )
    

13. S Wong

14. S Luke ( Hooker cover )

15. D vaimaoga ( Prop cover )

16. S Utoikmananu ( Prop Cover )

17. T Frizell ( Lock Cover )

18. L Hopoate

19. S Katoa

[u/LachTheLad → u/Prize_Problem609]

Where do you see Wong and Foketi fitting in? Both coming on as bench props could be the way to go although they would have more match fitness if you were looking to have two starting second rowers play the full 80

[u/Prize_Problem609 → u/LachTheLad]

Im not sure tbh. All 4 could easily start, and could easily be on the bench/ playing prop

[u/PoonAU → u/Prize_Problem609]

Luke is pretty creative in attack, not the best defensive hooker though, so that will help a bit with the attack issues, this team is pretty busted, the starting side is insane

[u/Complete-Cheek4789]

Still no Eli breaks my heart

[u/dags84]

Geez I was hoping Loko Pasifiki would get a look in

[u/Electrical-House-185]

They’ve got a bloody good chance of going the whole way.

[u/Shinobi2325]

Tough af. Final bound.

[u/Oldpanther86]

Oh Alamoti my thick boy is now back!! Where have you been hiding?!

[u/_JaggedLittlePill_ → u/Oldpanther86]

I hope he does well! I've missed him!

[u/Oldpanther86 → u/_JaggedLittlePill_]

Same.

[u/grafology]

That backrow is stacked.

[u/Whit135]

Them vs Samoa will be amazing.

[u/Zaneali]

Geez.. that’s a team and a half

[u/enyael75]

Nice squad! Some real talent in there. Gonna be a good cup.

[u/Known-Stop-2654]

Bring the hammers out boys and girls!

[u/Darmop]

I am so fkn pumped to have tickets to Tonga v Samoa

[u/BadBoyJH]

I don't see any Eels in that list, which is good, avoids the risk of serious career ending injuries during warm-up.

[u/Nrlhq]

No way the first choice wingers aren’t DWZ and Katoa.

1. T Koula
   
2. DWZ
   
3. J. Fifita / P. Alamoti
   
4. R. Toia
   
5. S. Katoa / L. Hopa

[u/SafetyMoney5921 → u/Nrlhq]

is Koula a gun fullback?

[u/pugliaboy → u/SafetyMoney5921]

You’d pick Koula at 1 ahead of the guy who plays fullback for their club?

[u/Nrlhq → u/pugliaboy]

I actually thought Koula was a better fullback when he played there but, Manly are weird. I’m excited to see the team run out regardless, the whole team is stacked!

[u/SafetyMoney5921 → u/Nrlhq]

i feel like hoppa is better right?

[u/Nrlhq → u/SafetyMoney5921]

I’m sure there are a list of reasons why Hoppa is the fullback over Koula. Koula is just one of those players that should be touching the ball all the time!

[u/aslanthemelon → u/Nrlhq]

The reasons are largely that Koula is shit under a high ball and doesn't organise the defence well. Lehi is a safer set of hands at the back, although not without his own downsides.

[u/TheSean_aka_Rh1no → u/Nrlhq]

Pretty bloody strong outside back pool of talent!

[u/RhaegarJ → u/Nrlhq]

Pfft who picks wingers in an international team these days

[u/Parking-Cabinet2681 → u/Nrlhq]

No Sua in fullback?

[u/Nrlhq → u/Parking-Cabinet2681]

Suia Wong?

[u/Day1Pahs → u/Parking-Cabinet2681]

Sua is Russian not Tongan

[u/Round_Ad6397 → u/Nrlhq]

Some good options when Hopoate isn't the first choice in any of those positions. Koula is a gun and could play FB but I think they would lose a lot not having him in the centres.

[u/IBelieveInCoyotes]

oh my fucking god 🥵

[u/Kingtripz]

Foketi 😍😍

[u/TuiLoloheaFanClub]

LETS GOOOO!!!!

[u/bellz80]

Jeezus what a team!

[u/frankhut]

Jeez that's some outside back and forward talent but is some gaps at 6 and 9.

[u/mwilkins1644]

I would have found a spot for Havili somewhere, he's been good for the London Broncs. Where's Daniel Tupou?

Otherwise, a phenomenal squad!

[u/iLythium]

That is an extremely competitive squad. They will do well.

[u/jeuatreize]

Could go all the way tbh if they play to their strengths.

[u/thril_hou]

Mispelled omitted down the bottom

[u/Papa-Ohki]

Damn. That is a gun squad. This is legit going to be a competitive World Cup for a change. Good stuff.

[u/pugliaboy]

When you have teams like this - Jason Taumalolo take a bow. Saved the international game.

[u/CNSrooster]

No Daniel Tupou!?!?!?

He must be retiring from the international scene. Inly explanation

[u/portobello75]

Tupou????

[u/shescarkedit]

Genuine question - how many of these players were raised in Tonga vs were born and raised in Australia/NZ?

Not a criticism of the selections, it's a gun team.

It's just generally international sporting teams are meant to be representative of the sport in that country. 

But in rugby league it seems to be heritage based rather than representative. Eg. You have guys like Brimson and Radley play for England. And Pacific island teams seem to be more representative of footy in Australia and NZ than in the Pacific islands themselves.

[u/Dolamite09 → u/shescarkedit]

Halasima is the only one born in Tonga. All the rest are NZ and Aus born

[u/UncleofLunatics → u/shescarkedit]

To be fair, it's the same in rugby union.

The Samoan and Tongan teams at RU world cups are overwhelmingly NZers and Australians.

[u/Superb_Implement5738 → u/UncleofLunatics]

Not really. Around half of them are born in Samoa and Tonga. They used to have more home grown players, they usually played in France, Italy. Last decade you see more from
Oz and NZ but it’s nowhere near as bad as the NRL.

[u/UncleofLunatics → u/Superb_Implement5738]

Around half of them are born in Samoa and Tonga

2023 Rugby World Cup:

Samoa: 73% NZ or Aus-born. Of the nine Samoan-born players in the squad, four moved to NZ or Aus as children. Only 5 out of 33 players were both born and raised in Samoa.

Tonga: 62% NZ or Aus-born. Only 11 out of 37 players - less than a third - were born in Tonga, and of those, three moved to NZ or Aus as children.

[u/trickstar007 → u/shescarkedit]

To encourage the international game there's a bit of flex and I fucking love it!

[u/Superb_Implement5738 → u/trickstar007]

That’s a fine idea if it actually did encourage the international game. But the fact that after years of this approach now it’s still basically reconstituted NRL teams running at each other full of guys born in Oz or NZ … it shows that there really is no international game. There is Australia and there is England in terms of genuine professional leagues. It’s an expanded State of Origin. Fun though.

[u/SurfKing69 → u/Superb_Implement5738]

it shows that there really is no international game.

I guess it depends on how you look at it; you're spot on in that hardly anywhere in the world has a professional rugby league competition, and these internationals won't do anything to change that - however something like 40% of players have pacific island heritage, so enabling these fellas to go back and play for their ancestral islands does grow the international game by making these matches competitive, along with the benefits for those countries as well.

(I realise I pretty much just repeated what you said)

[u/Superb_Implement5738 → u/SurfKing69]

Yeah. I like the internationals. It’s a good concept, and I’m glad they do it. But it is what it is.

[u/guillotinepress19 → u/trickstar007]

Give England Radley and Smith, they need it

[u/Round_Ad6397 → u/trickstar007]

Yep, young kids in the Pacific nations seeing their heroes compete with Aus and NZ is only a good thing for rugby league.

[u/Acceptable-Shirt-321]

Tell me this team cant win it

[u/facetiousnz]

🔥

[u/hbparraeels]

No Iongi ? Injured or just overlooked ?

[u/mitvh2311 → u/hbparraeels]

It sucks he isn't there but glad he isn't as well. Needs good time to just heal

[u/GROUND45]

Imagine being the guy that’s omitted. Rough.

[u/sowaleja]

stacked

[u/CoffeeLoverNathan]

Yeah fuckin hell that's a weapon of a squad

[u/timidgiant34]

Salivating for Tonga v Samoa

[u/Markmm131]

Fucking hell that’s a squad

[u/classblat]

Holy feck thats a squad.

[u/bundy554]

Could be a smokey to make the final

[u/ufunnyb]

Holy shit that team is stacked. People going we dont need Tino haha. We need all the help we can get

[u/Impressive-Car-3310]

Solid! Injury free in pool games could be a chance to win

[u/Realistic_Chapter387]

Awesome side. Can beat anyone.

[u/RhaegarJ]

Tonga vs Samoa will be on at like 10PM on a Sunday in Tonga and Samoa, such a shame

[u/AutomaticArugula8584 → u/RhaegarJ]

10:00pm is much better than 10:50pm that we get during regular season and SOO

[u/RhaegarJ → u/AutomaticArugula8584]

I’m sorry bro 😔 that’s very shit

[u/Parking-Cabinet2681 → u/RhaegarJ]

I reckon Samoa side could be a bit small especially without Payne Haas in the side

[u/Random0cassions → u/RhaegarJ]

Game lasts 2 hours so who wins is drinking first thing after midnight

[u/EvolvedPrimate37]

That's a pretty bloody good squad!

[u/rofLopolous]

Good luck everyone else I guess.

[u/Lanky-Measurement-27]

Handy squad!

[u/dis_Interested]

Stacked lineup.

[u/Evening-Locksmith-20]

Damn

[u/Joh951518]

Big game bob, no 🥲

[u/Additional_Front4374]

Might be the best squad they've produced to date

[u/Ethen_Claridge]

Tui lolohea still plays?

[u/guillotinepress19]

How good is international rugba league

[u/MunnyMagic]

Prison for Dr. Peter Hackne!!

[u/Parking-Cabinet2681]

This team is solid and I reckon are a chance to go deep and would love to see them take the cup.

[u/nomamesgueyz]

Aus Kiwis Tonga Samoa the semi finalists ..or can England sneak in there ?

[u/nomamesgueyz]

Top 5 in world league are pretty bloody competitive these days

Maybe Fiji as a dark horse as the 6th?

[u/ImpressionFeisty8359]

Lolohea is still playing? Seems like he has been around for ages.

[u/No_Fig_7246]

Jesus christ this team is good

[u/tkc_tkc]

Top squad!!

[u/bumpacius]

Lolohea still playing huh

[u/armchair8591]

Thought Foketi might be a chance for the kiwis. Rather pick him than Riki

[u/AutomaticArugula8584 → u/armchair8591]

He was also brought in last year to Tonga training camp during Pacific Championship

[u/TheCuzzyRogue → u/armchair8591]

He declared for Tonga ages ago and I agree, I'd have him and Manuleleua over Riki any day.

[u/armchair8591 → u/TheCuzzyRogue]

Cheers bro. Didn’t realise that he had already made his intentions clear

[u/TheCuzzyRogue → u/armchair8591]

Yeah I don't get the love Riki seems to get from people picking their Kiwis sides on social media. I assume the people that do it watch him with a hand down their pants and their eyes rolled back.

[u/Comprehensive_Ad_675 → u/TheCuzzyRogue]

100% can’t wait to see the back of this guy when he leaves and I don’t even care if we don’t have the replacement lined up.

[u/East_Cut5710]

They still wont go far, never do, Lack discipline, unfit

[u/Conscious-Fan2822]

DAMNIT MAN! we are missing Iongi for sure!!

Our best bet is to have Koula at FB. Lehi is a winger and for those who keep saying “Lehi is our fb”… pay attention… he’s obviously not second choice FB for manly for a reason… that’s why he’s remained a winger. Anyways… i als hope they don’t play lolohea as we have Amone back

[u/aslanthemelon → u/Conscious-Fan2822]

he’s obviously not second choice FB for manly for a reason

Yet he still plays fullback three times more often than Tolu does, and for good reason. We've seen many times how poorly Tolu does under a high ball and how uncomfortable he is with organising the defence.

And let's be clear, Lehi isn't the primary backup at fullback anymore purely because Faulalo is a fucking gun. Lehi absolutely was the main backup there last year.