With two wins under Tonga’s belt in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) to date, Tuimoala Lolohea is digging deep for his team to make history by lifting the coveted trophy for the first time.
The Auckland born and raised 31-year-old, who has ties through his father’s side to Lapaha, Uiha and Ha’apai, says representing Tonga once again after making his debut in 2015, is hugely rewarding.
“It’s massive for me as my dad was born in Tonga,” Tuimoala says.
“To see the smile on his face and emotion every time I tell him makes it special.”
No stranger to top level footy having also represented Aotearoa New Zealand in 2015 and spending the last four seasons in the United Kingdom playing for Huddersfield Giants in West Yorkshire, Tuimoala says he is motivated to win and not to let his teammates down.
Tonga has had two wins so far in the RLWC , defeating England 30-12 for the first time ever in rugby league history in the opening round, followed by a 36-0 romp over Lebanon in round two.
It makes for a thrilling final game of the RLWC group phase against rivals Toa Samoa on November 1, at Parramatta.
With Samoa also undefeated after the first two weeks of the tournament, a win for either side will secure a spot in the semi-finals.
Since his dad took him to rugby at age five, footy has been a huge part of Tuimoala’s life: a game, profession, and lifestyle.
Now, alongside his Ma’te Ma’a Tonga teammates, he hopes to leave a legacy by making the history books with a RLWC grand final win and providing inspiration for the future generation of Tonga rugby league players.
Digicel PNG has secured the exclusive broadcast and digital rights in the Pacific for the tournament and will screen matches to Tonga, PNG, and Fiji.
With support from New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), Pasifika TV will screen the men’s and women’s games to its affiliated broadcasters in other countries throughout the region.
For more information about match coverage, visit Pasifika TV or your local broadcaster.