What you need to know about Tonga vs Wales.
Tonga vs Wales | As his Tonga squad faces Wales in Group D, Kristian Woolf will assume leadership in St Helens for the final time. With a victory, Tonga would very certainly go to the quarterfinals, where they would most likely play Samoa at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington.
Wales under John Kear will be aiming to improve on their 18-12 loss to Cook Islands in their opening match.
The match will be significant because Kasey Badger, a female referee, will be handling her first-ever men’s international match.
Details of the Tonga vs. Wales match
Date: Monday, October 24,
Time of game: 7.30 p.m.
Totally Wicked Stadium in St. Helens, Group A
Wales vs. Tonga team news
19-man Tonga squad: Siosifa Talaki, Daniel Tupou, Will Penisini, and Sione Katos, 5. Talatau Amone 6, Tui Lolohea 7, 8. Addin Blake, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Felipe Kaufusi 11, Soni Luke, 12. Keaon Koloamatangi, and Haumole Olakakuatu, Tevita Tatola 16. Moeaki Fotuaika 17, David Fifita, Tolutau Koula, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Tesi Niu, and Konrad Hurrell are the other names on the list.
Wales’ 19-player roster includes Caleb Aekins, Rhys Williams, Dalton Grant, Elliot Kear, and Joshua Ralph, Anthony Walker, Matty Fozard, and 10. Dan Fleming, 10. Twelve. Chester Butler, Ollie Olds, Curtis Davis, and Joe Burke, 16. Bailey Antrobus 17. Kyle Evans, 18. Curtis Davies, 21. Tom Hopkins, and James Olds, Gavin Bennion, 24, and Luke Thomas, 25.
What each side is saying
We also have Papua New Guinea and Tonga, which is why our group has been dubbed “The Group of Death,” according to Wales captain Elliot Kear. They all have a reputation for being combative; it’s a difficult bunch, but we have all worked really hard and feel optimistic.
“It is a tremendous chance for the people of St Helens to come and see and meet players like Jason Taumalolo, Addin Fonua-Blake, Siosiua Taukeiaho, David Fifita, Daniel Tupou – the list goes on,” Tonga coach Kristian Woolf stated before to the competition.
“As you can see from the Tongan members of this club, they are terrific individuals who play fantastic rugby league and are out to have fun.
“A working class town like St. Helens and a working class nation like Tonga have a lot in common.
There is a wonderful connection there, and I would want to invite everyone to visit and support Tonga.