Rabbitohs prop Tevita Tatola is hoping to make up for lost time at club and Test level by pushing for a spot in Tonga’s squad for Rugby League World Cup 2026.

Tatola, who was a member of Tonga’s squad at the last World Cup in 2022, hasn’t had the chance to represent the island kingdom since 2023 as he has battled a series of injuries that prematurely ended his past two NRL seasons.

A broken foot limited him to just six games in 2024 and threatened Tatola's career, while his 2025 season was cut short by shoulder surgery after 18 appearances.

However, the 29-year-old is now fit again and a key member of the Rabbitohs side that is sitting in fourth place on the NRL ladder after five rounds.

“The World Cup would obviously be awesome if I get a call up,” Tatola said.

“At the moment my sole focus is playing for the Rabbitohs and just trying to string together back-to-back games and stay on the pitch as long as I can, but it was definitely tough watching from the sideline.

“There wasn’t much I could do, I was injured so I wasn’t a part of the team, but I am just looking forward to this year and hopefully I get the call up for the World Cup.”

After emotion charged scenes when The Red Sea packed CommBank Stadium for the final of the 2024 Pacific Cup, losing 20-14 to Australia, Tonga's clash with Samoa in last year’s tournament drew a crowd of more than 44,682 at Suncorp Stadium.

The Pacific powerhouses will meet again in the last pool match of RLWC2026 at CommBank Stadium on November 1 and the match, which is likely to determine a semi-final berth, is set for a sell-out.

“It will definitely be a great atmosphere,” Tatola said. “We have got a great fan base and the Tongan community really get behind their country, so it was awesome to see last year and we are looking forward to this year.”

The Kristian Woolf-coached team is also set to be bolstered by Sea Eagles strike secondrower Haumole Olakau'ate, who missed last year’s Pacific Championships through injury, while Rabbitohs forwards David Fifita and Keaon Koloamatangi could further bolster Tonga.

Photo: Haumole Olakau'ate is one of the star forwards set to return for Tonga at RLWC2026. @NRLPhotos

Koloamatagi chose to play for Australia in last year’s Ashes Series in England but he has previously represented Tonga, as has Fifita, who has regained his best form since joining South Sydney this season.

“Hopefully they do play for Tonga, but it is up to them,” Tatola said of Koloamatangi and Fifita. “That’s a question only they can answer.”

Tonga open their World Cup campaign against England in Perth on October 17 before back-to-back matches in Sydney against Lebanon on October 23 and Samoa on November 1.

Sharks enforcer Addin Fonua-Blake and inspirational Cowboys prop Jason Taumaolo are again set to Tonga’s forward leaders, with Isaiyah Katoa calling the shots at halfback.

Other forwards set to vie for spots in Tonga’s World Cup squad are Titans prop Moeaki Fotuaika, Bulldogs secondrower Sitili Tupouniua, Storm frontrower Stefano Utoikamanu, Dolphins trio Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Felise Kaufusi and Francis Molo and Warriors pair Leka Halasima and Demitric Vaimauga.

Olakau'ate, who played just 15 matches last season due to a shoulder injury, said a pre-season trip to Tonga was driving his ambition to play at the World Cup.

“When I got there (to Tonga), it was a very humbling experience, it was good to kind of just put your feet up and just enjoy the moment and family and friends,” Olakau'ate said.

“Sydney's very fast, everything's quick, so, it was good to go back home to the motherland and … (form) a bit of connection with family and the culture and the heritage.”

After scoring a try in Manly’s 52-18 defeat of the Dolphins, Olakau'ate paid tribute to his Tongan heritage.

“When I scored that try, I threw up a ‘T’ sign, so, it's definitely something I'm very proud of, very proud to be Tongan and (playing in the World Cup is) definitely something I'm thinking about as well towards the back end of the season," he said.

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