A war of words has erupted between Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga and Tonga star Jason Taumalolo ahead of their Pacific Championships clash on Friday night.
Australia haven’t played since their biggest defeat in history, a 30-0 shellacking by New Zealand last November, and they also lost their last Test against Tonga.
That was back in 2019 when the Tongans pulled off a 16-12 upset in Auckland, but this Friday at Suncorp Stadium will be the first time the nations play on Australian soil.
The Kangaroos have historically dominated international rugby league, but Taumalolo suggested the Aussies no longer carry an aurora.
“Not really, to be honest,” Taumalolo said when asked if Tonga feared the Kangaroos.
“They’ve got a great team but so do we.
“It’s what we do on Friday night that matters the most.
“Competition at international level, not just from Australia and Tonga, but also the other nations has definitely improved over the last few years.
“It makes for a greater game of footy.”
Meninga has named six debutants against Tonga, with Tom Dearden, Mitchell Moses, Zac Lomax, Xavier Coates, Mitchell Barnett and Hudson Young all picked.
The veteran coach fired back at Taumalolo when told of his comments.
“That doesn’t worry us – we don’t fear them either,” Meninga said.
“It’s a game of footy. It is a battle. It’s international status.
“The last time we played against the Tongans they beat us, way back in 2019.
“It’s been a long time since the World Cup in 2017 when we last played at Suncorp.
“We’re coming ready to play and we’ll worry about ourselves.
“That’s pretty smart that they don’t fear us but we’re coming and we want to play our best footy,” he said
Meanwhile, both Tonga and Samoa boast formidable squads to challenge at this Pacific Championships and will be out to make a statement for their nations when they take to the field in Fiji.
A place in the upcoming 2026 Women’s Rugby League World Cup is also on the line as well, giving this year’s Pacific Championship matches even more meaning.
Both sides have a majority of players who have featured in the NRLW competition throughout this season and will field strong forward packs who will have a big say in the outcome of the game.
Tonga have a number of players who featured in the recent NRLW grand final for the Sharks, while Samoa also have combinations to call on, with Titans including Evania Pelite at fullback and Sienna Lofipo at lock having an established connection that was also strengthened during Queensland’s Origin campaign.
Tonga women’s team will be co-captained by Sharks second-rower Vanessa Foliaki and Wests Tigers centre Natasha Penitani who both featured for the nation in last year’s Pacific Championships tournament.
Tonga: Emmanita Paki makes her international debut at five-eighth alongside Eels playmaker Cassey Tohi-Hiku, who moves from her regular No.6 jersey into the halfback role. Exciting young fullback Ana Malupo and centre Kate Fallon also makes their Test debuts. Vastly experienced forward Vanessa Foliaki will co-captain the Tonga side along with Natasha Penitani, who lines up for her third Test match. After squaring off in the NRLW grand final a fortnight ago, Rooster Pani Hopoate and Sharks Tegan Dymock, Manilita Takapautolo, Filomina Hanisi and Foliaki are all now teammates for Tonga.
Samoa: Former Jillaroo Evania Pelite is joined by fellow Titans Sienna Lofipo, Sarina Masaga and Laikha Clarke in a strong Fetu Samoa outfit looking to build on an impressive win over Fiji in last year’s Pac Champs. Centre Lindsay Tui bagged a double in that game while skipper Annetta-Claudia Nuuausala was also among the tries. Wests Tigers back-rower Christian Pio earns a Test debut on the back of a strong season in which she averaged 108 metres per game. Young flyer Mercedez Taulelei-Siala played centre for Queensland Under-19s against NSW this year and gets her first Test cap on the wing.
