At 31, Tuimoala Lolohea sees Saturday's semi-final against New Zealand as a chance to bring his career full circle.
He missed the 2025 Pacific Championships, and the emergence of Isaiya Katoa and Latu Fainu left his place in Tonga's World Cup squad uncertain.
A frank discussion with coach Kristian Woolf helped clarify his position.
After selection, Lolohea said, "I just felt so grateful this time to be selected."
Lolohea and Jason Taumalolo are Tonga's only players from the 2017 win still in the squad for the Newcastle semi-final.
Bolstered by Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita switching allegiance, Tonga became the first tier-two nation to defeat a tier-one side.
Lolohea also played in Tonga's 2019 victory over Australia, a week after the team beat Great Britain.
Lolohea said, "Obviously, I'm the older one on the team with a couple of boys. This is probably going to be my last, so it would be nice to go out (on a high)."