Congratulations to Lehi Hopoate, Tolutau Koula, Haumole Olakau’atu and Taniela Paseka on gaining selection for Tonga at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
With four players selected, Manly is the most represented NRL club in the 23-man Tongan squad.
World Cup representation for Tonga caps a remarkable year for Olakau’atu. The right edge wrecking ball made the Dally M Team of the Year after a season that included an Origin series win for New South Wales and just about every trophy on offer at the Sea Eagles.
Haumole played the first of his eight games for Tonga in 2022, his most recent appearance being in the final of the 2024 Pac Champs.
Koula’s selection comes after another highly impressive season at the Sea Eagles which included a State of Origin debut for New South Wales.
Like Olakau’atu, Koula has also made eight appearances for Tonga after making his international debut in 2022.
Hopoate topped the try scoring chart for Manly in 2026 scoring 19 tries in 23 appearances, many of them off a try-assist from Koula. He finished the season in fine fashion bagging five tries in the final three rounds including a double against the Warriors in Round 27.
Lehi has made five appearances for Tonga over the past two seasons in the Pacific Championships tournament.
Paseka made a successful return from an Achilles injury in 2026, starting at prop in all 20 appearances before suffering a knee injury against the Storm in Round 23.
All four players last played together for Mate Ma’a Tonga in the final of the 2024 Pacific Championships against Australia.
Tonga 23-man squad (alphabetical)
Addin Fonua-Blake (Cronulla Sharks)
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (New Zealand Warriors)
Demitric Vaimauga (New Zealand Warriors)
Haumole Olakau'atu (Manly Sea Eagles)
Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins)
Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland Cowboys)
Jojo Fifita (Gold Coast Titans)
Talatau Amone (Wynnum-Manly Seagulls)
Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Dolphins)
Latu Fainu (Wests Tigers)
Lehi Hopoate (Manly Sea Eagles)
Moeaki Fotuaika (Gold Coast Titans)
Paul Alamoti (Penrith Panthers)
Robert Toia (Sydney Roosters)
Salesi Foketi (Sydney Roosters)
Sione Katoa (North Queensland Cowboys)
Siua Wong (Sydney Roosters)
Soni Luke (North Queensland Cowboys)
Stefano Utoikamanu (Melbourne Storm)
Taniela Paseka (Manly Sea Eagles)
Tolutau Koula (Manly Sea Eagles)
Tuimoala Lolohea (Huddersfield Giants)
Tyson Frizell (Newcastle Knights)
Tonga will open its campaign against England at HBF Park, Perth on Saturday 17 October.
