Tui Lolohea included in Tonga squad to face New Zealand in mid-season Test

Tui Lolohea is the only Super League player to be named in a very strong Tonga squad to face New Zealand next Saturday.

Tonga coach Kristian Woolf has selected several new faces to take on the Kiwis in Auckland next Saturday – the same day as when Origin II kicks off.

Cowboys utility John Asiata, Manly hooker Manase Fainu, Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs, Titans prop Moeaki Fotuaika and Roosters forward Sitili Tupouniua are the uncapped players in the Mate Ma’a squad.

Mahe Fonua (foot) and Ata Hingano (thumb) were in the original squad but are unavailable due to injury.

On his squad, Woolf commented: “We have had a good core of players for the Mate Ma’a Tonga team since the 2017 World Cup and we have been able to add some more depth this year.