This is the battle which could cement Jason Taumalolo’s legacy as an international rugby league pioneer, one which will come after a season spent in the doldrums fighting a glut of injury concerns.

Fresh off his trip to Tonga, where he was greeted with a rare insight into royal life by dining with the country’s king, the veteran enforcer declared himself freed of the medical woes which curtailed his NRL campaign ahead of the island nation’s Pacific Championships clash with Samoa.

Around 45,000 spectators are expected to descend on Suncorp Stadium for Sunday’s contest, in what looms as a landmark moment for the global game.

It all stems from Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita’s decision back in 2017 to rule themselves out of New Zealand and Australia selection respectively to join the Tongan Wo

See Full Page