With games in England, Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand this weekend, numerous Wests Tigers players have huge international schedules.
Three Wests Tigers players will play in England and Tonga’s inaugural international series.
Mate Ma’a will be represented by club teammates Starford To’a and Junior Tupou, while John Bateman will increase his tally of 21 caps for the national squad.
Latu Fainu, a youthful halfback who will play for Wests Tigers in November, is also a member of the Tonga team.
The first encounter between these two countries since England’s 20-18 victory over Tonga in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup in Auckland will take place in the St Helens series opener.
England: Morgan Knowles, Matty Lees (both St Helens), Mikey Lewis (Hull KR), Tommy Makinson (St Helens), Mikey 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),
McMeeken of the Catalans Dragons, Robbie Mulhern of the Leigh Leopards, Harry Newman of the Leeds Rhinos, Harry Smith of the Wigan Warriors, Danny Walker of the Warrington Wolves, Jack Welsby of the St Helens, Elliott Whitehead of the Canberra Raiders, George Williams of the Warrington Wolves, and Dom Young of the Newcastle Knights.
Tonga’s roster includes: Latu Fainu of the Manly Sea Eagles; Addin Fonua-Blake of the New Zealand Warriors; Moeaki Fotuaika of the Gold Coast Titans; Tyson Frizell of the Newcastle Knights; Siliva Havili of the South Sydney Rabbitohs; Will Hopoate and Konrad Hurrell of the St Helens; Isaiya Katoa of the Dolphins; Eliesa Katoa of the Melbourne Storm; Felise Kaufusi of the Dolphins; Keaon Koloamatangi of the South Sydney Rabbitohs
Rabbitohs), Haumole Olakau’atu (Manly Sea Eagles), Tolutau Koula (Manly Sea Eagles), Tui Lolohea (Huddersfield Giants), 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).
