Tonga may continue Koloamatangi experiment
Tonga coach Kristian Woolf conceded that Keaon Koloamatangi's cameo at hooker might not be a one-off as he awaits the return of first-choice No.9 Siliva Havili.
Koloamatangi was a surprise inclusion at dummy-half when the teamsheet was released at St Helens for Tonga's 24-18 Rugby League World Cup victory over Papua New Guinea on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT).
Normally a back-rower with South Sydney, the 106kg Tongan acquitted himself well in a victory that will go a long way to ensuring Woolf's side get to the quarter-final stage.
Koloamatangi could be forced to continue his newfound role into next week's game with Wales given the injury cloud surrounding Havili.
"We'll figure out whether we persist with it through the week," Woolf said.
"We just wanted to put someone in there who had the skill.
"He did a great job I thought, some of his passes weren't right on point but he can defend there, keep it simple and he got us off to the right start."
Woolf was uncertain if Rabbitohs dummy-half Havili would be fit to return from a calf issue that ruled him out, and also said their first-choice fullback Will Hopoate might not be sighted until their final group game.
"He (Hopoate) won't play next week but he's a real chance against the Cook Islands," Woolf said.
"I know what sort of class Will's got and with St Helens we never lost a game with him this year.
"That speaks volumes of his class and his influence on this team and I know how much it means to him to play for Tonga."
Meanwhile, Samoa duo Braden Hamlin-Uele and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow are set to return to Australia after picking up injuries in their opening round loss at the hands of England.
