Former St George Illawarra Dragons playmaker Talatau ‘Junior’ Amone has moved closer to reviving his international rugby league career after being named among Tonga’s reserves for Friday’s World Cup clash against Lebanon in Sydney.
The 24-year-old, whose NRL career was derailed by a criminal conviction over a hammer attack on a roofing contractor in Australia, has been cleared to represent Tonga despite remaining barred from the Australian competition.
His inclusion follows Tonga’s impressive 30-12 victory over England in Perth on Saturday, giving the national team a winning start to its 2026 Rugby League World Cup campaign.
The official team list released on Tuesday, 20 October, confirms that Amone has been named as reserve No. 20, outside the starting lineup and interchange bench.
Conviction derailed NRL career
Amone was deregistered by the NRL after being convicted over a November 2022 incident in Wollongong in which he chased roofing contractor Jai King across a rooftop while armed with a hammer. King fell while attempting to escape, breaking both hands and suffering injuries to his ribs and hip, according to evidence reported by ABC News.
Despite pleading not guilty, he received a two-year community corrections order and 300 hours of community service.
The conviction cost him his $500,000-a-year contract with St George Illawarra Dragons, and the NRL has so far refused to consider registering a new contract for him.
Amone has since continued playing with Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the Queensland Cup, where his performances impressed Tonga’s coaching staff.
International authorities approve return
According to The Age, International Rugby League chairman Troy Grant said Amone’s deregistration applied only to the NRL competition and did not prevent him from participating in the World Cup.
“He was only subject to an NRL competition stand-down,” Grant said.
Grant cited Amone’s community work and continued involvement in rugby league, describing his situation as a redemption story.
Tonga coach Kristian Woolf also praised the player’s maturity since his previous involvement with the national team in 2022.
“He came into camp with us in 2022 as a young man. He’s come back into camp this time and I can tell there’s a different focus, there’s a real maturity about him, and it’s been a pleasure to have him in camp,” Woolf told The Age.
Amone represented Tonga at the 2022 Rugby League World Cup, playing two matches and scoring one try.
Tonga assesses playing options
Amone’s chances of taking the field against Lebanon remain uncertain, with Tui Lolohea named at five-eighth alongside halfback Isaiya Katoa.
Latu Fainu, who suffered a pectoral injury during the victory over England, has also been named on the interchange bench after assessments indicated the injury was less serious than initially feared.
Any opportunity for Amone to play will depend on changes to Tonga’s match-day lineup.