There are six Hull FC representatives in Ellery Hanley’s 29-man Combined Nations All-Stars squad ahead of a mid-season international tie with England on Saturday 18th June.
The Tongan influence is especially appropriate following the announcement that both England and the All Stars will wear Tonga-inspired jerseys for the match to raise funds for the relief fund following January’s devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami.
Manu Ma’u and Chris Satae will represent the people of Tonga on behalf of Hull FC.
Meanwhile, Jake Connor, who played in the inaugural All Stars fixture last summer, will once again represent his family’s Trinidadian heritage.
Connor’s fellow Black & White colleagues Carlos Tuimavave, Ligi Sao and Joe Lovodua are also included in Hanley’s plans for the international match.
Hanley, the Rugby League legend who has succeeded Tim Sheens as the All Stars coach following their successful debut fixture against England last summer, has spoken to all of the players, and declared himself “overwhelmed and so impressed” by the level of excitement and enthusiasm ahead of the fixture.
“It was important for me to talk through the values and qualities I am expecting from them, and the message I got back from them was that they are ready to go – and so proud to have the chance to be involved,” Hanley said.
Satae, who is one of six Hull FC representatives in the 29-man squad added: “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be named in the All Stars squad again and I hope we can do something similar to what we achieved last year.
He continued: “It is even more special this year because the RFL have been very generous in growing awareness and raising funds for the people of Tonga, my home country, after the volcanic eruption and tsunami earlier this year. It will be a privilege to represent them.”
Combined Nations All Stars 2022 – initial squad
Jake Connor (Hull FC, Trinidad)
Kenny Edwards (Castleford Tigers, New Zealand)
Jai Field (Wigan Warriors, Australia)
David Fifita (Wakefield Trinity, Tonga)
Ben Garcia (Catalans Dragons, France)
Tom Johnstone (Wakefield Trinity, Scotland/Germany)
Sam Kasiano (Catalans Dragons, Samoa)
Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Hull KR, New Zealand)
Tim Lafai (Salford Red Devils, Samoa)
Samisoni Langi (Catalans Dragons, Tonga)
Ricky Leutele (Huddersfield Giants, Samoa)
Danny Levi (Huddersfield Giants, Samoa)
Kane Linnett (Hull KR, Scotland)
Mason Lino (Wakefield Trinity, Samoa)
Tui Lolohea (Huddersfield Giants, Tonga)
Joe Lovodua (Hull FC, Fiji)
Jake Mamo (Castleford Tigers, Australia)
Rhys Martin (Leeds Rhinos, Papua New Guinea)
Peter Mata’utia (Warrington Wolves, Samoa)
Manu Ma’u (Hull FC, Tonga)
Mitchell Pearce (Catalans Dragons, Australia)
Matt Prior (Leeds Rhinos, Australia)
Ligi Sao (Hull FC, Samoa)
Chris Satae (Hull FC, Tonga)
Ken Sio (Salford Red Devils, Samoa)
Kelepi Tanginoa (Wakefield Trinity, Tonga)
Zane Tetevano (Leeds Rhinos, Cook Islands / New Zealand)
Carlos Tuimavave (Hull FC, Samoa)
Luke Yates (Huddersfield Giants, Australia)
For details of the special Tongan-themed jerseys which will be worn by both the All Stars and England teams, raising money for the relief fund, please click here
Tickets for the Mid-Season International Double Header on Saturday June 18, which also includes England Women versus France, are available here
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