Ronaldo Mulitalo has been named to make his international debut for New Zealand, while the strong recent form of Siosifa Talakai and Sione Katoa has seen the pair named to represent Tonga in the upcoming Pacific Test matches.
Having previously played for Samoa, Mulitalo now gets his opportunity to run out for the Kiwis in their game against the Tongans at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland on June 25.
Joining Mulitalo in the Kiwi squad is Sharks backrower Briton Nikora, while Andrew Fifita will again be amongst the senior players in the Mate Ma’a Tonga team for what will be his 11th appearance for the Pacific Island nation.
Kristian Woolf named a 25-man squad however Tonga will be coached by caretaker coach Dean Young for this match with Woolf unavailable because of English Super League duties with St Helens.
Also set to make his international debut at a senior level will be Sharks and Jets centre Kayal Iro who has been selected in the Cooks Islands squad. Iro has been rewarded for his outstanding form for the ladder leading Newtown side in the NSW Cup competition.
See the squads below:
Tonga
Tolotau Koula (Sea Eagles)
Daniel Tupou (Roosters)
Siosifa Talakai (Sharks)
Mosese Suli (Dragons)
Sione Katoa (Sharks)
Kotoni Staggs (Broncos)
Talatau Amone (Dragons)
Siosiua Taukieaho (Roosters)
Siliva Havili (Rabbitohs)
Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors)
Sitili Tupouniua (Roosters)
Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs)
Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys)
Soni Luke (Panthers)
Haumole Olakau’atu (Sea Eagles)
Tevita Pangai jnr (Bulldogs)
Tevita Tatola (Rabbitohs)
Moeaki Fotuaika (Titans)
Will Penisini (Eels)
Isaiya Katoa (Panthers)
Andrew Fifita (Sharks)
Joe Ofahengaue (Wests Tigers)
Starford To’a (Wests Tigers)
Christian Tuipulotu (Sea Eagles)
Eliesa Katoa (Warriors)
New Zealand Kiwis
Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Storm)
Jesse Bromwich (Storm)
Kenneath Bromwich (Storm)
Dylan Brown (Eels)
Erin Clark (Titans)
James Fisher-Harris (Panthers)
Kieran Foran (Sea Eagles)
Peta Hiku (Cowboys)
Jahrome Hughes (Storm)
Moses Leota (Panthers)
Isaac Liu (Titans)
Joseph Manu (Roosters)
Te Maire Martin (Broncos)
Ken Maumalo (Wests Tigers)
Ronaldo Mulitalo (Sharks)
Griffin Neame (Cowboys)
Briton Nikora (Sharks)
Marata Niukore (Eels)
Isaiah Papali’i (Eels)
Jordan Rapana (Raiders)
Jordan Riki (Broncos)
Brandon Smith (Storm)
Scott Sorensen (Panthers)
Joseph Tapine (Raiders)
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors)
