Mate Ma’a Tonga have honed their squad down to 19 for Saturday’s Test with the New Zealand Kiwis in Auckland.
The big casualty out of last week’s NRL round for Tonga is Eels’ centre Michael Jennings.
Jennings suffered a knee injury in the Eels’ win over the Broncos and will miss the huge match against the Kiwis.
His brother Robert Jennings and Titans’ prop Moeaki Fotuaika have also been released from the squad.
“It is a shame to lose Michael because he has really been playing well for Parramatta,” said Mate Ma’a Tonga head coach Kristian Woolf.
“He has also brought wonderful experience to our side through the 2017 World Cup and in Tests last year.
“But we have some quality centres in our squad in Solomone Kata and Kotoni Staggs, so I know we can fill the hole left by Michael’s injury.”
Tonga will name the 17 players to face the Kiwis tomorrow.
MATE MA’A TONGA TEST SQUAD
(alphabetical order)
John Asiata (North Queensland Cowboys)
Manase Fainu (Manly Sea Eagles)
Andrew Fifita (Cronulla Sharks)
Addin Fonua-Blake (Manly Sea Eagles)
David Fusi’tua (New Zealand Warriors)
Siliva Havili (Canberra Raiders)
Tuimoala Lolohea (Leeds Rhinos)
Will Hopoate (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Solomone Kata (New Zealand Warriors)
Sione Katoa (Penrith Panthers)
Manu Ma’u (Parramatta Eels)
Tevita Pangai Junior (Brisbane Broncos)
Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos)
Tevita (Junior) Tatola (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Sio Siua Taukeiaho (Sydney Roosters)
Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland Cowboys)
Peni Terepo (Parramatta Eels)
Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters)
Sitili Tupouniua (Sydney Roosters)
