Tonga has named a 29-man preliminary squad full of National Rugby League (NRL) experience to prepare for next month's historic test against Australia.
The October 20 match, which was only confirmed this month, will pit the Mate Ma'a Tonga against the world champion Kangaroos for the first time.
Koniseti Hurrell scored a try when Tonga last played in June, when they defeated Samoa 38-22 Photo: Photosport
Included in the squad are all but two members of Tonga's 2017 World Cup team, which reached the semi-finals.
Parramatta second rower Manu Ma'u misses out, after suffering a mid-season injury, and iconic wing Manu Vatuvei's international career looks to be over after experiencing his own injury worries and having his Salford contract terminated earlier in the year.
New faces include 25-year-old Cronulla Sharks forward Scott Sorensen and New Zealand-born teenager Moeaki Fotuaika.
Moeaki Fotuaika carries the ball for the Gold Coast Titans during a July game against the Warriors Photo: Photosport
The squad also includes the current top tryscorer in the NRL, Warriors wing David Fusitu'a, and six players who are still playing in the preliminary finals including blockbusting prop and former Australian international Andrew Fifita.
Both Jason Taumalolo, who captained the team during the Pacific Test against Samoa this year, and Sika Manu, who was captain during the World Cup, are included in the squad.
Tonga coach Kristian Woolf said he was pleased with the depth he had manage to draw together.
"We feel it is representative of the depth of Tongan rugby league in both the NRL and English Super League, and also rewards players that have made a firm commitment to playing for their country of heritage," he said.
"This will be a huge occasion for Tonga to take on the top-ranked rugby league country in the world, so we need every player we can committed to that goal."
The final Mate Ma'a Tonga squad will be announced next month and will go into a 10-day team camp, leading up to the Test.
Michael Jennings, (left), and Andrew Fifita will lend their big game experience to the Tongan team Photo: Photosport
TONGA RUGBY LEAGUE SQUAD:
Andrew Fifita - Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Addin Fonua-Blake - Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Mahe Fonua - Wests Tigers
Moeaki Fotuaika - Gold Coast Titans
David Fusitua - Warriors
Siliva Havilli - Canberra Raiders
Ata Hingano - Canberra Raiders
Will Hopoate - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Koniseti Hurrell - Gold Coast Titans
Michael Jennings - Parramatta Eels
Robert Jennings - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Solomone Kata - Warriors
Sione Katoa - Penrith Panthers
Samisoni Langi - Catalans Dragons
Tuimoala Lolohea - Wests Tigers
Sika Manu - Hull FC
Sam Moa - Catalans Dragons
Ben Murdoch-Masila - Warrington Wolves
Joe Ofahengaue - Brisbane Broncos
Tevita Pangai Junior - Brisbane Broncos
Agnatius Paasi - Warriors
Leivaha Pulu - Warriors
Scott Sorensen - Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Ukuma Ta'ai - Huddersfield Giants
Jason Taumalolo - North Qld Cowboys
Tevita Tatola - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Siosiua Taukeiaho - Sydney Roosters
Peni Terepo - Parramatta Eels
Daniel Tupou - Sydney Roosters
