Kristian faith: How Woolf turned Foketi into a hooking sensation

In a tournament featuring an array of world class hookers including Harry Grant, Jeremy Marshall-King and Api Koroisau, the man wearing the No.9 for Tonga has come from the clouds to put his name up in lights.

Salesi Foketi has played all 45 NRL games and 18 NSW Cup matches in the second row or at lock since coming into the Roosters system but Tonga coach Kristian Woolf had other plans for the 20-year-old.

Woolf entered camp armed with the knowledge that Foketi had played all his junior football in Auckland at five-eighth so he had no hesitation in giving him the hooking role.

Remarkably, even his premiership coach Trent Robinson has been taken by surprise, revealing in commentary for Channel Seven that he didn’t know the Manurewa Marlins junior was so accomplished at hooker. 

“I caught up with Robbo in Perth (after Tonga’s win over England) and he said that if he ever needs a No.9 from now on he’ll be throwing me in there,” Foketi said.

Stepping into the No.9 jersey vacated by 24-Test veteran Siliva Havili, the rising Rooster has passed the test with flying colours, making 65 tackles and missing just one in the wins over England and Lebanon.

“I was fortunate enough growing up and playing in the spine, at No.6, playing under my dad (Solomone Foketi) as coach,” he said, as Tonga prepared to meet arch-rivals Samoa at CommBank Stadium on Sunday night. 

“Woolfie knew that spine background was there... so pretty much getting back on the bike. 

“I was a little rusty the first couple of days coming into camp.” 

A win over Samoa guarantees Tonga a semi-final spot. Even a loss will most likely see them progress unless PNG can beat England and turn around a huge differential.

The next test for Foketi will be playing his Roosters teammate Benaiah Ioelu, who wears the No.9 for Samoa.

“It’s a bit like the master going up against his student as he’s taught me a bit throughout the year," Foketi said.

For the moment, his Tongan teammates are glad he has his hands on the ball as much. 

“Solesi has been impressive, having a great season in the back row for the Roosters, and if you didn’t know footy you’d never think he hadn’t played hooker before,” lock Tyson Frizell told NRL.com. 

“He’s got some quality service of the deck and it’s a hard position to get thrown into but he hasn’t skipped a beat.” 

Foketi is also learning his trade from Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa, who returns this week after missing the victory over Lebanon with an ankle sprain. 

“He’s been giving me pointers on what I should look for as a No.9 which has been making my job pretty easy,” Foketi said.  

“I throw the ball to him and he does wonders with it.”