LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
After a fulfilling lunch with King Tupou VI, Tonga's co-captain and his team have prepared to face Samoa in an eagerly anticipated match at Lang Park on Sunday. Prior to flying to Brisbane, the team spent five days in Tonga, where they connected deeply with their roots.
A standout moment during their trip was dining with the king, where Taumalolo received recognition as a national hero. His immense popularity made it challenging for team management to navigate his many admirers between events.
"It's a privilege for us to be in that position to meet the king. That rarely happens, especially for the Tongan people," Taumalolo remarked, underscoring the significance of the occasion.
He added, "The formalities were different - trying not to turn your back, just the little things the boys had to pick up on that was new to them."
The primary goal of returning to Tonga was to connect with the people the team represents and to understand the impact they have on their supporters. For many players, this trip provided the first chance to meet family members they had never encountered before and helped them reconnect with their Tongan heritage.
"We'll take a lot from that week going into this week. It'll help motivate us going into this year's campaign," Taumalolo said, reflecting on the team's experience and its positive implications for their upcoming match.
At 32, Taumalolo faced a tough season in 2025, playing only 10 games for the Cowboys due to injuries, marking his least-active year since his debut season in 2011. With a recent knee clean-out following the postseason, he is now ready to lead Tonga in what promises to be a significant match.