Frizell to Honour Late Grandfather at Third World Cup in Tonga Jersey

Tyson Frizell's third Rugby League World Cup will be his most personal. Selected in Tonga's 2026 squad, the veteran forward will represent a third different nation at the tournament — Wales in 2013, the victorious Australian Kangaroos in 2017, and now Tonga.

Frizell's grandfather died last week, in the days before the NRL grand final in which Frizell played 40 minutes for Newcastle in their 19-18 loss to the Sydney Roosters — while also battling a rib injury picked up in the preliminary final against Penrith.

"Obviously the Tongan side is very special to me, and it would mean a lot to be able to represent my grandfather," Frizell said. His grandfather, nicknamed "Captain," used to say he was the first Tongan in Wollongong. He saw Frizell play for Australia against Tonga in 2018 but never got to watch him wear Tonga's jersey.

Frizell says he will be fit for the campaign, joining a Tonga squad featuring Jason Taumalolo, Addin Fonua-Blake, Isaiya Katoa and Spencer Leniu. With a Welsh father and Tongan mother, Frizell also played for Tonga on their 2023 tour of England and hopes this time his family can watch him in person.