The future king of Tonga is set to form part of the sea of red as Kristian Woolf's side aim to conquer Australia and clinch their first major trophy in the shape of the Pacific Cup.
Woolf explained ahead of his team’s final training session on Saturday that Tongan officials were expecting to welcome Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala, the eldest son of reigning King Tupou VI, to Sunday’s final at CommBank Stadium.
The king’s daughter, Crown Princess Angelika, and Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni are also slated to attend the match.
Expat fans from the Pacific nation are due to significantly outnumber Kangaroos supporters in the sellout crowd and have been present at every training session this week in Sydney’s west.
Tonga’s players have always been treated fondly by the nation’s royal family.
After the 2017 World Cup, King Tupou VI granted several members of the squad royal orders and captain Jason Taumalolo was given land in his mother’s village as testament to role in turning Tonga into a force within international rugby league.
“There was enormous support back in Tonga after 2017 and I was fortunate enough to go there and the scenes were something I’ll never forget,” Woolf said.
“All these players got a lot of deserved recognition for what they have done for the country.
“They have continued to do that, I don’t think that there is anything that can represent the country the way these players can.
“There are some (good luck) messages coming through and I know that the Prime Minister and the King’s son and daughter are both coming … it’s outstanding and it shows what these guys mean to the country.”
Tonga clinched their spot in their first major final courtesy of a field goal from Isaiya Katoa in a 25-24 win over New Zealand last week.
It capped a solid bounceback game from the 20-year-old Dolphins playmaker, who sent a handful of kicks dead in Tonga’s 18-0 loss to the Kangaroos to open their group stage campaign.
“We’ve got to back him and let him play,” Woolf said.
“He did that against the Kiwis and Australia … I go back to that Australia game and he had a really big influence for our team and there were just a couple of plays he didn’t quite get right.
“The thing that I like is that he’s got the vision to see those plays first and he backed himself against the Kiwis and came up with the plays.”
Tonga are expected to be unchanged for Sunday’s final, with the sole question mark over the availability of forward Keaon Koloamatangi.
The South Sydney back-rower did not take part in last week’s win in Auckland because his partner is due to give birth imminently.
“She is still expecting and still waiting, so hopefully she hangs on just a little bit longer,” Woolf said.
Siua Wong would likely make way if Koloamatangi is clear to play.
