RLWC26: Tyson Frizell joins powerful side Tonga for third World Cup

Author: Brad Walter NRL Senior Reporter
Timestamp: Tue 6 Oct 2026, 09:25 AM

Tyson Frizell is set to put aside the disappointment of Sunday’s grand final loss and a painful rib injury to honour his late grandfather by playing for a third nation at his third World Cup after being named in a strong Tonga squad.

Frizell, who has a Welsh father and a Tongan mother, played for Wales as a rookie in 2013 and was a member of the winning Kangaroos squad in 2017.

The Knights veteran represented Tonga in their 2023 tour of England and will now line up at IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026 alongside the likes of Jason Taumalolo, Haumole Olakau’atu, Addin Fonua-Blake, Stefano Utoikamanu, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Leka Halasima and Salesi Foketi in a powerful forward pack.

Steering the side around will be star halfback Isaiya Katoa, while the backline boast strike power with the likes of Rob Toia, Tolu Koula, Jojo Fifita, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Lehi Hopoate, Paul Alamoti and Sione Katoa.

Frizell has played most of his career in the secondrow but he moved into the middle to lead an inexperienced and undermanned Knights forward pack who collectively in Sunday’s grand final had played less NRL games than his tally of 306 premiership appearances.

The 34 year-old suffered a rib injury in Newcastle’s preliminary final win against Penrith and the loss of his grandfather during the lead up to the grand final.

However, he managed to play 40 minutes in the frontrow in the 19-18 grand final loss to Sydney Roosters and insists he will be fit for Tonga’s World Cup campaign.

“Obviously the Tongan side is very special to me, and it would mean a lot to be able to represent my grandfather.

“He passed away last week so it’s been a bit tough. His nickname was ‘Captain’ and he used to say he was the first Tongan in Wollongong.

Frizell’s grandfather travelled to Auckland to watch him play for the Kangaroos against Tonga in 2018 but never saw him pull on the red jersey.

However, Frizell has had an awareness of the support or the Tonga team as he recalls watching the Pacific Test against Samoa at Campbelltown Stadium in 200 with his family.

He would also travel with his family to Tonga on a regular basis during his childhood to visit his brother Shannon, the All Blacks forward, who was adopted but denied entry to Australia by immigration authorities.

“I’ve played for Tonga before but I did that over in England so hopefully my family will be able to watch me this time," he said.