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Tonga's Stefano set for round two with big bopper Haas
Joel Gould, AAP • October 7th, 2025 2:35 pm
Stefano Utoikamanu (L) and Payne Haas (R) will resume hostilities when Tonga and Samoa clash | Photo: AAP
Stefano Utoikamanu will get another crack at Payne Haas to continue their own private war when he debuts for Tonga in the Pacific Championships.
The Melbourne powerhouse and Brisbane force of nature are on a collision course to resume grand final hostilities after Utoikamanu lit the fuse before the NRL season decider with a suite of verbal barbs.
Tonga and Samoa, who both released their squads on Tuesday, will clash in the Pacific Cup showdown at Suncorp Stadium on October 26.
Both NSW props will be making their respective Test debuts for their countries.
Reece Walsh and Payne Haas celebrate with their NRL premiership rings | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
Haas came out on top in the 26-22 grand final win, while Utoikamanu started well but was underwhelming overall for his high standards.
Before the match he said he would "run at" Broncos he didn't like and accused some of them of being "stuck up".
Haas responded with a warning.
"They can say what they want," Haas retorted.
"We will be out there on Sunday and we'll see if that's still going to be thrown around."
Tonga have named a strong squad which includes Sydney Roosters strike centre Robert Toia.
The Maroons' Robert Toia will debut for Tonga after a brilliant Origin series | Photo: Darren England/AAP
The Dally M rookie of the year, 21, had a scintillating NRL season where he also made his State of Origin debut and was a key figure in Queensland's 2-1 series win.
The Kristian Woolf-coached side also includes Warriors wrecking ball Leka Halasima, who is yet to debut for Tonga.
The 20-year-old announced himself as one of the game's most powerful forwards and will add starch to a monster pack.
The side will be captained by blockbusting forward pair Jason Taumalolo and Addin Fonua-Blake.
The Tongans will visit their homeland from October 14-18 before setting up camp in Brisbane ahead of the eagerly anticipated clash with Samoa.
The Pacific Cup also includes New Zealand. Last year's winners Australia will take part in the Ashes tour of England instead.
