Sydney Roosters centre Robert Toia and Warriors back-rower Leka Halasima set for Tonga call-up

7NEWS

a day ago

Two of the NRL's brightest young stars are set to commit to Tonga, with Sydney Roosters centre Robert Toia and Warriors back-rower Leka Halasima to boost the squad for this year's Pacific Cup.
Both players have diverse backgrounds but have let Tonga coach Kristian Woolf know their intentions to make themselves available.
'They have both indicated to me that is what they want to do,' Woolf said.
'We have a fair squad we are going to have to trim down to 21 and they will be right in the reckoning.'
Toia, 21, is able to choose between Tonga, New Zealand and Australia.
He has Tongan heritage, was born in Auckland and debuted for Queensland this year, starring in a 2-1 State of Origin series win after just 10 NRL games.
Tonga will play Samoa at Suncorp Stadium on October 26 in one of the most eagerly anticipated rugby league internationals ever played in Australia.
Woolf, also the Dolphins head coach, has a preliminary squad of around 36 players but Toia is a certainty to make the cut.
'Robert is very proud of his Tongan heritage and the conversation was great because he has thought about it for a long while,' Woolf said.
'I have a had a chat to him and he has indicated it is something he'd love to do.
'Rob has been exceptional this year and his footy has just got better and better. I've known about him for a long time and kept an interest. He is from this Redcliffe area and he tells me he has a few brothers playing juniors here as well.'
Halasima was born in Tofoa, Tonga before moving to New Zealand at a young age and playing his junior football with Mangere East Hawks.
Such is his talent, the Warriors have signed the 19-year-old until the end of 2029. He has been a match-winner in a breakout year after previously representing Tonga A.
Halasima and fellow Warriors forward Demitric Vaimauga entered Tonga camp last year to gain a taste of elite international football when the team was in New Zealand for the Pacific Cup.
'Leka has been great as well this year,' Woolf said.
'He and Demitric both came into camp last year and made their intentions really clear in terms of where they see their international future.
'It has been great watching them develop. Leka has had such a big impact on games.'
Brisbane centre Kotoni Staggs is also weighing up whether to make himself available for Tonga after making his international debut for the Woolf-coached side in 2019.
He played against the Kiwis again for Tonga in 2022 before representing Australia in three Tests in 2023.
'I can either play for Tonga or Australia,' Staggs said.
'I will see how I go for the rest of the season but my main focus is here and trying to win a grand final. Whatever comes after that. I will make a decision.'
Broncos prop Payne Haas is set to change his allegiance from the Kangaroos and represent Samoa for the first time.
Other Kangaroos stars Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, also with Samoan heritage, are on the cusp of making a call to add to the build-up to the Tonga-Samoa showdown.