Tonga name their preliminary squad for historic Test against Australia

TONGA have named a strong preliminary squad for their historic Test against Australia with the newest force in international rigby league boasting a host of NRL stars.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - NOVEMBER 25: Jason Taumalolo of Tonga makes a break of Tonga set up a try during the 2017 Rugby League World Cup Semi Final match between Tonga and England at Mt Smart Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

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TONGA have named a full-strength preliminary squad for their historic clash with Australia next month.

Coach Kristian Woolf has named a 29-man squad which will be cut down in early October before the team embarks on a ten day camp to prepare for the match.

Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita have both been named along with Joe Ofahengaue, Will Hopoate, Robert and Michael Jennings and David Fusitu’a.

Tonga have named a strong squad. Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images.

The Tongans have also named Broncos powerhouse Tevita Pangai Junior amid speculation Australia would try and poach him for the match.

Tonga will meet the Kangaroos for the first time in their history in Auckland on October 20.

FULL SQUAD

Andrew Fifita – Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Addin Fonua-Blake – Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, Mahe Fonua – Wests Tigers, Moeaki Fotuaika – Gold Coast Titans, David Fusitua – Warriors, Siliva Havilli – Canberra Raiders, Ata Hingano – Canberra Raiders, Will Hopoate – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Koniseti Hurrell – Gold Coast Titans, Michael Jennings – Parramatta Eels, Robert Jennings – South Sydney Rabbitohs, Solomone Kata – Warriors, Sione Katoa – Penrith Panthers, Samisoni Langi – Catalans Dragons, Tuimoala Lolohea – Wests Tigers, Sika Manu – Hull FC, Sam Moa – Catalans Dragons, Ben Murdoch-Masila – Warrington Wolves, Joe Ofahengaue – Brisbane Broncos, Tevita Pangai Junior – Brisbane Broncos, Agnatius Paasi – Warriors, Leivaha Pulu – Warriors, Scott Sorensen – Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Ukuma Ta’ai – Huddersfield Giants, Jason Taumalolo – North Qld Cowboys, Tevita Tatola – South Sydney Rabbitohs, Sio Siua Taukeiaho – Sydney Roosters, Peni Terepo – Parramatta Eels, Daniel Tupou – Sydney Roosters

Will Tonga hold on to Pangai Jnr? Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images.

PREDICTED XVII

1. Will Hopoate 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Konrad Hurrell 5. David Fusitu’a 6. Tui Lolohea 7. Ata Hingano 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Siliva Havili 10. Joe Ofahengaue 11. Tevita Pangai Jr 12. Sika Manu 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Sione Katoa 15. Addin Fonua-Blake 16. Ben Murdoch-Masila 17. Agnatius Paasi

Originally published as Tonga name their preliminary squad for historic Test against Australia