Why Kangaroos hold no fear for Tonga's Gen Next
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Lehi Hopoate was just 12 years old when he watched his brother Will help Tonga to an historic defeat of New Zealand at the 2017 World Cup.
Isaiya Katoa and Paul Alamoti were 13, while Siua Wong was a year older.
The quartet, and the likes of 20-year-old Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 21-year-old Isaiah Iongi and 22-year-old Tolutau Koula, who are in the extended squad for the Pacific Cup final against Australia, grew up believing that Tonga could beat any nation.
They saw Jason Taumalolo lead Tonga to victory against the Kiwis in 2017 and topple the Kangaroos and Great Britain two years later, so they knew it was possible to beat New Zealand last weekend and are confident of repeating the feat against Australia.
The winning moment: Katoa
“Speaking to some of those boys, they still remember being in school and watching that World Cup with their family and friends,” Will Hopoate said.
“Fast forward a few years and now they are teaming up with Jase and other players they looked up to, so it is great for them to be a part of it and they are taking their opportunities, as well now.
Veteran Tonga playmaker Tui Lolohea added: “Most of them have said that they were in attendance at those games, watching us play, so they have that belief”.
What Tonga achieved after Taumalolo, Andrew Fifita and others turned their backs on New Zealand and Australia for the 2017 World Cup changed international rugby league, but there were concerns about whether that success was sustainable.
However, a new generation of players has emerged that is helping the Pacific nation remain a force now and into the future.
“I think it is just the ripple effect of Jason Taumalolo turning his back on the Kiwis, Andrew Fifita with Australia and Addin Fonua-Blake afterwards; that inspired these younger players coming through,” forward Felise Kaufusi said.
“Isaiya and Lehi think, ‘these guys have played for Tonga, I can play for Tonga. It is not only Australia or New Zealand’.
“It has inspired the next generation who are coming through saying they watched us play for Tonga, so it has given us some fresh legs and I think there will be a strong Tonga team for the next couple of years now.”
Kaufusi made his Test debut for Tonga in 2015, along with Lolohea, but represented Australia at RLWC2017 before returning for the last World Cup in 2022.
The Dolphins enforcer has seen a huge change in the way Tonga is regarded and the resources available to the team, as well as the playing talent nurtured by Kristian Woolf, who has been in charge since 2013.
“I can remember in 2015 we got paid $250,” Kaufusi said. “It wasn’t about money, and it still isn’t, but the standards and conditions are right on par now with the tier one nations in terms of where we are staying, and how many coaches and staff we have.
“I think it is important for us older heads to remind the younger generation that it wasn’t always like that, and we had to fight for what we have now. That comes off the back of winning games in the World Cup and in 2019.”
Will Hopoate describes captaining Tonga to a 16-12 triumph against Australia in 2019 as one of the greatest achievements of a career, which include playing State of Origin and winning NRL and Super League premierships.
Relive the final moments of Tonga-Australia
"To beat the world’s best is something that is hard to express in words how much it means to us as a small nation," Hopoate said.
“I think there is a genuine belief that we can come away with the result we desire if we put in the hard work."
Now he is the one watching as 19-year-old Lehi forges his own career in the No.1 jersey for Tonga and Manly.
"When I started my career, Lehi was still a kid," Hopoate said. "He is still a teenager, he is only 19.
"I retired in the No.1 jersey, and he has taken over. If he keeps playing the way he is and keeps his head down I am sure that will be his for a long time."
The other player set to have an influence on the Pacific Cup final against Australia and Tonga's long-term future is Katoa.
Andrew Johns believes Katoa will the long-term NSW halfback after Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses, and his match winning performance against the Kiwis earned him widespread praise.
The Dolphins halfback, whose father is Tongan, told NRL.com that he had been inspired to play for the Pacific nation after watching the 2017 World Cup and would perform the Sipi Tau in front of the television.
Katoa made his Test debut for Tonga before he had played an NRL match and was sitting HSC exams online while in England during the World Cup just two years ago.
“We were enjoying beers after the game or the next day doing our recovery, and he would be sitting there doing his exams," Kaufusi recalled.
"For a young guy he has had so much experience – he has now got two NRL seasons under his belt, a World Cup and he toured again last year.
“He has been bought up well and it shows with the way he carries himself, he speaks really well and is respected.
"He has still got so far to go, and he has so much potential, but the way he has gone and how disciplined he is will keep him going."
Lolohea, whose 21 appearances for Tonga are the most by any player, has been playing in the Super League since 2019 but he has seen enough of Katoa in a handful of Tests together to know he is a star of the future.
"We’ve got some of the best players in the NRL playing for us now and he is one of the next young kids coming through," Lolohoea said.
"Last week was probably the biggest game of his career and he stood up in that moment and won us the game. You know that he is going to have a great career."
Match: Kangaroos v Tonga XIII
Final -
home Team
Kangaroos
1st Position
away Team
Tonga XIII
2nd Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
