Junior Tupou, the winger for Wests Tigers, is set to make his debut for the Tongan national rugby league team, which has made four changes to its lineup ahead of the second Test against England at John Smith’s Stadium.
Tonga’s coach, Kristian Woolf, revealed that Starford To’a would be unable to participate in the game due to a groin injury and would be replaced by Junior Tupou, who hails from Auckland and previously played for the Junior Wallabies before transitioning to rugby league in Canberra.
There are two alterations to the starting lineup and one on the bench. Tevita Tatola of South Sydney and Haumole Olakau’atu of Manly will join the starting side, while Keon Koloamatangi and Moeaki Fotuaika will become interchanges. Hame Sele will wear jersey number 18, implying that Melbourne’s Eliesa Katoa is likely to take his place on the bench.
Coach Kristian Woolf stated, “We were pleased with our effort in the first Test last week, but we aim to perform even better this week. Some of our players hadn’t played for six or seven weeks, and we noticed the intensity from the England team. We believe we can show improvement in that area in this match. The game against England was closely contested, and we expect a similar match in Huddersfield.”
As a result of Morgan Knowles’ thumb injury, Ben Currie of Warrington has been added to coach Shaun Wane’s England squad for the second Test. Matty Ashton, also from Warrington, will replace Tommy Makinson on the wing, and Liam Farrell is set to join the 17-man match-day squad in place of Knowles.
The first Test, which England won 22-18, was not broadcast in New Zealand, where many Tonga supporters reside. However, a last-minute agreement has been reached to telecast the remaining two Tests between Tonga and England in New Zealand, and fans can stream these internationals at recast.tv/rugbyleague.
Here are the player lists for both teams:
**ENGLAND:**
– Matty Ashton (Warrington)
– John Bateman (Wests Tigers)
– Tom Burgess (Rabbitohs)
– Daryl Clark (Warrington)
– Ben Currie (Warrington)
– Liam Farrell (Wigan)
– Chris Hill (Huddersfield)
– Tom Johnstone (Catalans)
– Toby King (Wigan)
– Matty Lees (St Helens)
– Mikey Lewis (Hull KR)
– Mike McMeeken (Catalans)
– Robbie Mulhern (Leigh)
– Harry Newman (Leeds)
– Victor Radley (Roosters)
– Harry Smith (Wigan)
– Danny Walker (Warrington)
– Jack Welsby (St Helens)
– Elliott Whitehead (Raiders)
**TONGA:**
– Will Hopoate (St Helens)
– Junior Tupou (Wests Tigers)
– Will Penisini (Eels)
– Moses Suli (Dragons)
– Tolutau Koula (Sea Eagles)
– Tuimoala Lolohea (Huddersfield)
– Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins)
– Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors)
– Siliva Havili (Rabbitohs)
– Tevita Tatola (Raiders)
– Tyson Frizell (Knights)
– Haumole Olakau’atu (Sea Eagles)
– Felise Kaufusi (Dolphins)
– Dion Teaupa (Rabbitohs)
– Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs)
– Tevita Tatola (Rabbitohs)
– Hame Sele (Rabbitohs)
– Eliesa Katoa (Storm)
– Konrad Hurrell (St Helens)
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