Tonga call up Titans young gun to Test squad
HE made his NRL debut this season as one of the youngest front-rowers in the competition and Moeaki Fotuaika’s meteoric rise doesn’t look like stopping any time soon.
The 18-year-old has been named in Tonga’s squad for their historic Test against Australia in New Zealand on October 20.
Fotuaika, who was 18th man for the Mate Ma’a against Samoa earlier this season, and fellow Titan Koni Hurrell were named in coach Kristian Woolf’s 29-man preliminary squad for Tonga’s first Test against Australia next month.
“We are very pleased with the depth in the squad we have managed to name for this very important Test match,” Woolf said of a squad littered with players who helped Tonga to the World Cup semi-finals last year.
“This will be a huge occasion for Tonga to take on the top-ranked rugby league country in the world, so we need every player we can committed to that goal.”
While Hurrell is likely to be named at centre in the final team, Fotuaika could have a more difficult time breaking into the 17 to make his Test debut given the depth Tonga have in the forwards.
Middle forwards Andrew Fifita, Addin Fonua-Blake, Jason Taumalolo, Joe Ofahengaue and Sam Moa have all been named in the preliminary squad, with Fotuaika attempting to push his way on to the bench after an outstanding maiden campaign for the Titans.
Woolf will announce his final squad next month.