Raised in a small village in Tonga,24-year-old Eliesa Katoa has made a big impact at Melbourne Storm,and will be centre stage in the NRL grand final.
There was more to the Queensland Reds’ mission in Tonga than achieving victory in two historic clashes.
Saturday marked 1316 days since Israel Folau last represented the Wallabies on the world stage. His return for Tonga against Fiji was inauspicious to say the least.
The boss of the Perth venue says dewy and slippery conditions will greet Australian and England players on Saturday but don’t expect a full house,like State of Origin II.
He left Australia a controversial figure but a rugby rule change has opened a new door for Israel Folau.
Eligibility changes by World Rugby have opened the door for sacked Wallaby Israel Folau to switch to Tonga for the 2023 Rugby World Cup - and a possible clash with Australia A in July.
Rugby Australia wants to keep Taniela Tupou on home soil in the long term but will have to empty the coffers to do so.
Eddie Jones is ushering through a new generation of players,but the Wallabies will need to focus on England’s greybeards when the old enemies meet at Twickenham.
Tonga coach Toutai Kefu has revealed the former Wallabies star wants to represent Tonga if World Rugby approves changes to its eligibility laws.
It would be lovely to be proven wrong,but it is hard to believe countries will vote for the greater good instead of their own interests on a proposal to allow players to switch Test teams.
World Rugby is reportedly considering allowing players to represent more than one country at Test level,which could pave the way for former Wallabies players to get another international chance.