Tonga treating every game like a grand final so Izzy soldiers on

Admitting he aggravated his left ankle injury in Tonga’s win over England, halfback Isaiya Katoa gave zero thought to sitting out Friday’s World Cup match against Lebanon at CommBank Stadium. 

The Dolphins playmaker initially hurt the joint in the 36-20 loss to the Roosters in the NRL preliminary final on September 25 but had club physios work on it frantically to make sure he could enter Tonga’s camp fit enough to play. 

“I hurt it again early in the (England) game but the fact I finished the match was a positive sign but it meant that today was a little more modified for me,” Katoa said after Tonga’s training session at Sydney Olympic Park. 

“The physios have told me it’s probably going to be a bit slow to get going. So I came into the World Cup knowing it’s something I’m going to have to manage, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.” 

The 22-year-old trained on his own after warming up with teammates doing some passing drills. 

He ended the morning practising his goalkicking and said the left ankle could take that pressure as he’s a right-foot kicker. 

But with a wealth of halves like Latu Fainu, Tuimoala Lolohea and Junior Amone might it be sensible to take a rest with three weeks left in the World Cup tournament? 

“To be honest it’s probably the first time we’ve had some depth in the halves,” Katoa said. 

“Usually we’re trying to transform a fullback or a centre into a half. 

“But I think that sends a bad message if we say I’m resting – you definitely don’t want to take the Lebanon team lightly. 

“One thing we know this weekend is whenever you take games lightly you’ll get exactly what you deserve. 

“In terms of our performance and preparation we’re treating every game like it’s a grand final. We have so much pride in this Tongan jersey.” 

Fainu lasted only 17 minutes after straining his pectoral muscle in the 30-12 win over England. Lolohea in the No.18 jersey came off the extended bench to fill in at five-eighth. 

Fainu completed training at Homebush today and Katoa praised the defensive efforts of the young Wests Tigers half selecting the tackle on teammate Kai Pearce-Paul last Saturday as a case in point. 

“You could see he was gaining confidence so it was unfortunate to see him go off the field,” Katoa said. 

“He’s done a lot of work after the last two days to get himself read as one thing he said to me after the game was that he thought he let the boys down. 

“He just needs the opportunity to showcase how good he is as a five-eighth. He honestly can be one of the most damaging five-eighths in the NRL.” 

Katoa said he had enjoyed working alongside Fainu, who at 21 is only 12 months younger than the Dolphins superstar.

“We’re both learning of each other. It’s not about me trying to teach him everything," Katoa said.

“He can see things differently to what I’m seeing. Neither of us are arrogant – we’re trying to teach the other something. 

“It’s a real open learning space where we’re encouraging each other to get better.”