Kristian Woolf names powerful Tonga squad for World Cup

Kristian Woolf has named one of Tonga’s strongest-ever squads as they look to get their hands on the Rugby League World Cup trophy for the first time.

Woolf, who has recently guided St Helens to a fourth successive Super League title, has named 21 NRL stars in his squad for this autumn’s tournament in England.

The three Super League players he has included are Will Hopoate (St Helens), Konrad Hurrell (St Helens) and Tui Lolohea. There isn’t a place for Agnatius Paasi, who has been one of the form front-rowers in Super League this season.

Meanwhile, Gold Coast Titans forward David Fifita is expected to make his Tonga debut when they play France in a World Cup warm-up match this week.

Star man Jason Taumalolo will miss their first two games against Papua New Guinea and Wales as well as this weekend’s match against France. He was hit with a three-match ban for a tackle in North Queensland’s semi-final defeat by Parramatta.

Tonga squad for World Cup:

Talatau Junior Amone (St George Illawarra Dragons)

David Fifita (Gold Coast Titans)

Addin Fonua-Blake (New Zealand Warriors)

Moeaki Fotuaika (Gold Coast Titans)

Siliva Havili (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Will Hopoate (St Helens)

Konrad Hurrell (St Helens)

Isaiya Katoa (Penrith Panthers)

Sione Katoa (Cronulla Sharks)

Felise Kaufusi (Melbourne Storm)

Keaon Koloamatangi (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Toluta’u Koula (Manly Sea Eagles)

Tui Lolohea (Huddersfield)

Soni Luke (Penrith Panthers)

Ben Murdoch-Masila (New Zealand Warriors)

Tesi Niu (Brisbane Broncos)

Haumole Olakau’atu (Manly Sea Eagles)

Will Penisini (Parramatta Eels)

Moses Suli (St George Illawarra Dragons)

Siosifa Talakai (Cronulla Sharks)

Tevita Tatola (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Siosiua Taukeiaho (Sydney Roosters)

Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland Cowboys)

Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters)

Tonga are in a group alongside Papua New Guinea, Wales and the Cook Islands. They get their World Cup underway when they take on Papua New Guinea at St Helens on October 18.

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