It’s a big weekend on the international stage for several Wests Tigers players, with games in England, Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand.
The first ever international series between England and Tonga will feature three Wests Tigers players.
John Bateman will add to his 21 caps for the home side while club teammates Starford To’a and Junior Tupou will represent Mate Ma’a.
Also in the Tonga line-up is young halfback Latu Fainu, who will be joining Wests Tigers in November.
The series opener in St Helens will be the first meeting between these two nations since England defeated Tonga 20-18 in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup in Auckland.
England: Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves), John Bateman (Wests Tigers), Tom Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Daryl Clark, Ben Currie (both Warrington Wolves), Tyler Dupree, Liam Farrell (both Wigan Warriors), Chris Hill (Huddersfield Giants), Tom Johnstone (Catalans Dragons), Toby King (Wigan Warriors), Morgan Knowles, Matty Lees (both St Helens), Mikey Lewis (Hull KR), Tommy Makinson (St Helens), Mike McMeeken (Catalans Dragons), Robbie Mulhern (Leigh Leopards), Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos), Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters), Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors), Danny Walker (Warrington Wolves), Jack Welsby (St Helens), Elliott Whitehead (Canberra Raiders), George Williams (Warrington Wolves), Dom Young (Newcastle Knights).
Tonga: Latu Fainu (Manly Sea Eagles), Addin Fonua-Blake (New Zealand Warriors), Moeaki Fotuaika (Gold Coast Titans), Tyson Frizell (Newcastle Knights), Siliva Havili (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Will Hopoate, Konrad Hurrell (both St Helens), Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins), Eliesa Katoa (Melbourne Storm), Felise Kaufusi (Dolphins), Keaon Koloamatangi (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Tolutau Koula (Manly Sea Eagles), Tui Lolohea (Huddersfield Giants), Haumole Olakau'atu (Manly Sea Eagles), Will Penisini (Parramatta Eels), Hame Sele (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Mosese Suli (St George Illawarra Dragons), Tevita Tatola, Dion Teaupa (both South Sydney Rabbitohs), Starford Toa (Wests Tigers), Daniel Tupou, (Sydney Roosters), Junior Tupou (Wests Tigers), Siua Wong (Sydney Roosters).
England v Tonga series: (Times AEDT)
Game 1 - Monday 23rd October - 12:30am at Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens
Game 2 - Sunday 29th October - 12:30am at John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield
Game 3 - Sunday 5th November - 12:30am at Headingley, Leeds.
Tonga ‘A’ is also in action this weekend in a one-off match against New Zealand ‘A’ as part of Saturday’s triple-header at Eden Park.
Fonua Pole will line up for Tonga ‘A’ in a team which includes several players who featured in Wests Tigers’ senior pathways teams. Joining Pole will be Western Suburbs NSW Cup teammates Sione Hopoate and Semisi Kioa, Wests Tigers Jersey Flegg Cup player of the year Sione Vaihu, and talented young half, Naati Teaupa.
Wests Tigers is also represented on the Tonga ‘A’ coaching staff by the club’s wellbeing & education officer Feleti Mateo.
“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for these young men to represent their heritage,” said Mateo.
Playing on the international stage is something they should all be very proud of and I know they will all benefit from the experience.
Feleti Mateo
“It should be a great occasion for our club with so many players on show at Eden Park.”
Wests Tigers centre Asu Kepaoa is one of the more experienced players in the NZ ‘A’ line-up which includes the likes of Bailey Simonsson, Pasami Saulo, and Rocco Berry and Melbourne Storm rookie Will Warbrick.
Wests Tigers will also have players on show in the two Pacific Championships matches in Auckland which follow the NZ ‘A’ v Tonga ‘A’ match.
The women’s match between New Zealand and Tonga will see Wests Tigers stars Leianne Tufuga and Najvada George play for the Kiwi Ferns against NRLW club teammate Folau Vaki who will start at prop for Tonga.
New Zealand takes on Samoa in the final match of the day when Isaiah Papali’i will make his 8th appearance for the Kiwis in New Zealand’s opening game of the tournament.
Auckland-born prop Stefano Utoikamanu will again start up front for Samoa with Justin Matamua named on the bench and Tommy Talau among the reserves.
Eden Park triple-header - Saturday 21st October
New Zealand ‘A’ v Tonga ‘A’ - 11:30am (AEDT)
Kiwi Ferns v Mate Ma'a - 1:45pm (AEDT)
Kiwis v Toa Samoa - 4:00pm (AEDT)
Fiji Bati v Cook Islands: Sunday 22nd October - 4.00pm (AEDT) at Port Moresby
Jahream Bula will make his international debut for Fiji against Cook Islands on Sunday in Port Moresby, capping a phenomenal first season in the NRL.
The 21-year-old fullback will be joined by two of his Wests Tigers teammates from last season. Brandon Wakeman is named in the halves with Apisalome Saukuru landing a spot on the bench.
Former Wests Tigers hooker Rua Ngatikaura, who was part of the club’s top-30 squad this season, will start in the No. 9 jersey for Cook Islands.
Also on tour representing Wests Tigers are pathways players Jay Kirk and Zakauri Clarke who are part of the Australian Universities team touring NZ for a three game series in Rotorua.
