Tonga’s pursuit of a Rugby League World Cup semi-final berth has been complicated by a late injury to star halfback Isaiya Katoa, who has been ruled out of the team’s upcoming clash against Lebanon. The loss of Katoa, a pivotal figure in the Tongan attack, has forced a significant reshuffle of the halves just hours before the high-stakes encounter.
Katoa is currently managing a minor ankle injury sustained recently. While the injury is not considered serious enough to jeopardize his entire tournament, team officials have opted to rest the playmaker to ensure he is fit for next week’s critical fixture against Samoa. In a major opportunity for one of the game’s rising prospects, Latu Fainu has been drafted into the side to replace Katoa. Fainu will partner Tuimoala Lolohea, who retains his spot at five-eighth, as Tonga looks to maintain the offensive fluidity that defined their opening match. Talatau Amone was also noted as an omission from the starting roles.
Tonga enters this match with significant momentum following a clinical 30-12 victory over England. That performance solidified their status as one of the tournament favorites and put them on a clear trajectory toward the knockout stages. A win against Lebanon would effectively secure their place in the semi-finals, rewarding a squad that boasts some of the most physical forwards and explosive outside backs in international rugby league.
Lebanon, meanwhile, is desperate to keep its own tournament hopes alive after a disappointing 42-18 defeat at the hands of Papua New Guinea. Despite the margin of that loss, the Lebanese side showed flashes of brilliance, particularly in a tightly contested first half where they went blow-for-blow with the Kumuls. However, they were unable to sustain that intensity in the second period, eventually succumbing to a late scoring flurry as the locals pulled away.
The tactical battle will likely be decided in the trenches. Tonga’s pack, spearheaded by captain Jason Taumalolo and Addin Fonua-Blake, remains one of the most formidable units in the competition. They are joined in the starting forward rotation by Stefano Utoikamanu and Haumole Olakau’atu, creating a physical presence that Lebanon must find a way to neutralize.
Lebanon’s resistance will be led by captain Alex Twal and a backline featuring top-tier experience in the form of Jacob Kiraz and Jason Saab. To pull off an upset, the Cedars will need halfback Alex Conti and Khaled Rajab to exploit any lack of cohesion in Tonga’s new-look halves pairing.
The Tongan team list for the clash features Lehi Hopoate at fullback, with Sione Katoa and Jojo Fifita on the wings. Paul Alamoti and Tolutau Koula form the center pairing, while Salesi Foketi takes the hooker role. The bench includes Soni Luke, Taniela Paseka, Leka Halasima, and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, with Siua Wong and Talatau Amone among the reserves.
Lebanon’s starting side includes Tony Francis and Michael Gabrael in the centers, with Jordan Samrani and Jason Saab rounding out the back five. The forward pack features James Roumanos, Jaxson Rahme, and Jalal Bazzaz, with Abbas Miski and Tony Sukkar in the second row. Moustafa Dirani, Mikael Ibrahim, Tupou Francis, and Khalil Rahme comprise the interchange bench, while Joseph Nohra and Ibrahim El Labban are listed as reserves.
