31 Oct 2023
Tongans arrive at Headingley this Saturday

In two week's time, England and Tonga go head to head in the third and final test match at Headingley as part of a double header of international Rugby League action. Saturday 4th November sees Shaun Wane's side lock horns with the Tongans in what could be the series decider at 2.30pm, whilst England Women also take to the field against Wales in their second international of the year (KO 12pm).
Find out more about Kristian Woolf's Tonga side here:
Factfile
Name: Mate Ma'a Tonga
IRL Rank: 5th
Head Coach: Kristian Woolf
Captain: Addin Fonua-Blake
Most capped player: Daniel Tupou (16)
2021 World Cup Finish: Quarter Finalists
Team Overview
Tonga arrive in the UK for their first ever test series against England having grown into one of the most exciting sides in international Rugby League.
2017 marked a change to the Mate Ma'a as Jason Taumalolo led a group of players that swapped allegiance to represent Tonga at that year's World Cup and guided them to within inch of the Final. The semi final clash against England has gone down as one of the best games at a World Cup tournament and that rivalry has been reignited with this year's three-test series.
Over the last five years, Tonga have continued to adapt and improve. Their invitational side in 2019 beat Australia in one of the biggest upsets in international rugby, and at last year's World Cup, they defeated Papua New Guinea, Wales and Cook Islands to set up a quarter-final against Samoa that was decided by two points.
Although Taumalolo isn't available for this year's series, head coach Kristian Woolf has still been able to name a side full of experience and excitement to take on England. Will Hopoate, Konrad Hurrell, Tui Lolohea, Daniel Tupou and Siliva Havili are the only players that remain from that historic 2017 semi final, but the majority of the team (15 players) return to the UK after playing in last year's World Cup for Mate Ma'a; Tupou in particular led the try scoring for Tonga during the campaign with six.
Captain Addin Fonua-Blake comes into the series off the back of a big season at the Warriors that saw the club return to the Finals, meanwhile South Sydney have the most representatives by one team. Forwards Keaon Koloamatangi, Hame Sele, Tevita Tatola and Havili add grunt to the forward pack, plus upcoming five-eighth Dio Teaupa makes his first appearance in the Tonga shirt. Manly's Haumole Olakau'atu is another forward not to be missed either, and in the backs, Tupou is joined by Eels flyer Will Penisini and Dragons' Mosese Suli, who both know how to find the try line.
Full squad
Players to Watch
Will Hopoate
Super League and England fans are already aware of the threat that Will Hopoate poses from his two years in St Helens colours.
The full back is one of the most experienced players in the Tongan camp for the test series with both Super League and NRL Grand Final winners medals from his time at Manly and Saints. He has 180 appearances in the NRL, as well as 45 tries, and has accumulated five tries in 31 games during his time at the Totally Wicked Stadium too.
Internationally, Hopoate has played for Tonga since 2017, co-captaining the side during their historic World Cup campaign. He scored crucial tries in the group win over New Zealand as well as the quarter-final win over Lebanon at the tournament too, but couldn't get Kristian Woolf's side passed England in the semi-final epic.
As Tonga continued to rise up the world rankings, Hopoate featured in a handful of internationals between 2018 and 2019 before starting once at last year's World Cup.
Keaon Koloamatangi

South Sydney's Koloamatangi is one of the rising forwards in the NRL and is starting to establish himself in Mate Ma'a colours.
The 24-year-old was brought through the Rabbitohs youth system to debut in 2020 and has become one of the stars for the future in Jason Demetriou's side as he approaches 100 NRL games. He made his State of Origin bow in game three for the Blues too.
Souths' recent Finals runs in 2021 and 2022 earned the back-rower his first international start for Tonga in the 2022 friendly against New Zealand, and he backed that performance up with a strong World Cup campaign as he featured in all three groups games and the quarter final clash with Samoa. He also added two tries against Papua New Guinea and Wales.
Tyson Frizell

Newcastle's 103kg back rower Tyson Frizell made his Tonga debut in the opening test match against England and marked the occasion with a try.
The international scene is nothing new for Frizell, who has played for Wales and Australia during his career. Eligible through his dad, the forward featured at two major tournaments for Wales before earning the chance to represent the Kangaroos from 2016 to 2019. Notably, he won a World Cup medal in the 2017 win over England. Now a part of Woolf's pack, he is already a leader among the group as he comes off the back of his best try scoring season since 2018 and a return to the Origin scene.
Buy your tickets now
Tickets for the England versus Tonga series are on sale now at eticketing.co.uk/rugbyleague from £25 Adults and £12.50 Under 16s.
Those looking to book 10 tickets or more can save 30% on single matches, with prices from £17.50 for Adults and £8.75 for under 16s – available now via the Groups Sales team at groups@rlcommercial.co.uk or 0844 856 1115.