Nine nation army: Hanley names All Stars team for England clash

Published by IntRL

14 Jun 2022

Super League players representing nine countries have been chosen by Combined Nations All Stars coach Ellery Hanley for Saturday's international against England at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium.

The All Stars team, which will be captained by Hull KR's former Kiwis and Sydney Roosters centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall, includes seven survivors from last year's 26-24 defeat of England, which included the likes of Jackson Hastings, Jake Connor, Aidan Sezer and Jermaine McGillvary.

Hanley said the match would be more than just a World Cup warm-up for the host nation and his players were aiming to maintain the proud tradition of 'Other Nationalities' teams, who featured in the code's first international against England in 1904 and continued playing one-off matches until the 1930s.

Among those in the squad are Tongan internationals Manu Ma'u, Mahe Fonua and Samisoni Langi, PNG captain Rhys Martin, England hooker Daryl Clarke, Kiwi enforcer Kenny Edwards, Cook Islands prop Zane Tetevano, Samoa's Peter Mata'utia and Kruise Leeming, who is born in Estwatini (formerly named Swaziland).

“I’m very pleased with the group we’ve named and I’m confident we’ll give England the tough pre-World Cup warm-up that Shaun is after," Hanley said.

“From what I’ve heard off people who were involved in last year’s camp, there was a real togetherness among the players and the staff, and I’m looking forward to generating that same feeling when we get the players in tomorrow.”

Wakefield prop David Fifita was a late call up.

“David is not only a real character but a brilliant player. His size and strength will be a huge addition to our pack. I’m delighted to welcome him into the squad," Hanley said.

“We’ve spoken as a group about creating a bond like the side did last year; and David is a proud Tongan who will help spread that culture throughout the group.”

With England and the Combined Nations teams to play in Tonga-inspired shirts to help raise money for the Tongan relief fund following the devastating tsunami that struck the island in January, Fifita said he felt privileged to help give back to his nation of heritage.

“When Ellery rang me and told me I got put in the full squad a few weeks ago it was exciting and it’s a bit more exciting when you get to represent something with a meaning behind it," Fifita said.

“Every time you put on that Tonga kit you get emotional just wearing it, because you’re not just representing yourselves.

"I’m sure during the week the boys will embrace the Tongan culture and the boys will get a big rev up too seeing how much it means to the Tongan boys. I want to be a leader in this camp and do it for Tonga."

Combined Nations All Stars 2022 squad

Daryl Clark (Warrington Wolves) (England)
Brodie Croft (Salford Red Devils) (Australia)
Kenny Edwards (Castleford Tigers) (New Zealand)
David Fifita (Wakefield Trinity) (Tonga)
Mahe Fonua (Castleford Tigers) (Tonga)
Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Hull KR) (New Zealand)
Samisoni Langi (Catalans Dragons) (Tonga)
Kruise Leeming (Leeds Rhinos) (Eswatini)
Joe Lovodua (Hull FC) (Fiji)
Rhyse Martin (Leeds Rhinos) (PNG)
Peter Mata'utia (Warrington Wolves) (Samoa)
Manu Maʻu (Hull FC) (Tonga)
Jacob Miller (Wakefield Trinity) (Australia)
Matt Parcell (Hull KR) (Australia)
Matt Prior (Leeds Rhinos) (Australia)
Ligi Sao (Hull FC) (Samoa)
Chris Satae (Hull FC) (Tonga)
Ken Sio (Salford Red Devils) (Samoa)
Kelepi Tanginoa (Wakefield Trinity) (Tonga)
Zane Tetevano (Leeds Rhinos) (Cook Islands)

Both England and the Combined Nations All Stars will be wearing Tonga-inspired jerseys to help aid the relief fund, following the devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami that struck the country in January.

England versus the Combined Nations All Stars is part of an international double-header also featuring England Women versus France. Get your tickets here.