Tui Lolohea has spent more than a decade helping shape Tonga’s rugby league history. Now, as Tonga 13 chase their first Rugby League World Cup title, the veteran is proving he can still make a difference.
The 31-year-old playmaker made a decisive contribution to Tonga’s 30–12 victory over England, coming off the bench after Latu Fainu was injured and helping set up a try.
It was another chapter in an international career that has outlasted every other player’s in Tonga’s history.
Lolohea is the only player, alongside captain Jason Taumalolo, to have appeared in all five of Tonga’s victories over Tier One nations.
His next challenge is Lebanon, with Tonga preparing for tomorrows match at CommBank Stadium in Sydney. Lolohea has been named to start at five-eighth, alongside halfback Isaiya Katoa.
From pioneers to a new generation
When Lolohea made his Tonga debut against Samoa in 2015, the national side was still building the foundations of the team supporters recognise today.
The breakthrough came in 2017, when Tonga defeated New Zealand and reached the World Cup semi-finals. The campaign helped inspire more elite players with Tongan heritage to represent the kingdom.
Lolohea was part of that transformation, later featuring in landmark victories over Great Britain in 2019 and Australia the following week.
Today, Tonga have greater depth across the squad, including young playmakers such as Katoa and Fainu. That competition for places reflects how far the team has developed.
Speaking to ABC, Lolohea said the depth available in the halves was a positive sign for Tonga’s future.
Pride beyond the field
For Lolohea, representing Tonga has always meant more than individual achievement or a professional rugby league career.
He told ABC that the pride of representing the island nation and its people had remained unchanged since his debut.
“We’re a little dot on the map,” he said, describing the pride and support that have helped build Tonga’s standing in international rugby league.
Lolohea’s career has included spells with the New Zealand Warriors and Wests Tigers in the NRL, followed by eight seasons in Super League.
With his Huddersfield contract finished and his playing future still to be settled, this World Cup could be his last.
But Tonga’s latest performance against England has offered a reminder that experience still matters, even in a squad increasingly defined by its emerging stars.
For a player who helped build the foundations of Tonga’s modern era in rugby league, the dream of taking the World Cup to Nuku’alofa remains alive.
And Lolohea, despite the jokes from his younger teammates, has shown he is not ready to write the final chapter just yet.
