The time is right: Fifita's family pride at the forefront of Tongan Test debut

He may not have been on the field in St Helens on Tuesday night but the imposing figure of Andrew Fifita loomed large as Mate Ma'a Tonga called on every ounce of pride they could muster to pull out a 24-18 win over the Kumuls.

After playing for Australia at the 2013 World Cup, Andrew Fifita declared his allegiance to Tonga four years later, helping them to a semi-final appearance where they were eventually rolled by England.

Another five years on and the Tongan team sheet once again contains the Fifita name, with Titans wrecking ball David making his debut in the famous red and white against PNG.

As the 22-year-old prowled the sideline awaiting his opportunity to enter the game in the second half, David looked every bit as intense and motivated as cousin Andrew had in 2017 when Tonga took the tournament by storm.

"For me to represent my culture, my dad’s side of the family, it means a lot to me," Fifita told the media post-match.

"I was going to play the mid year Test [against the Kiwis] but unfortunately I did my MCL.

"I had a couple of chats with Woolfy [coach Kristian Woolf] and the opportunity came at the end of the year so I had a good chat with my father about it.

"Dad got teary when I said I was going to play for Tonga and I know he was watching this morning. Just do it for him and for all my family back in Ipswich was good.

"I love my dad and I think it’s just the right time for me to represent Tonga, to do it for my family."

Fifita has strong memories of watching Andrew help Tonga to stunning wins over New Zealand and Samoa in the group stages in 2017 before a thrilling 24-22 victory over Lebanon in the quarters and a 20-18 loss to England in the semis.

"I was 17 back then and still in high school when Andrew came on board [with Tonga]," he said.

"To see what those guys did back then it’s a real honour to be part of it now and we’re only building.

"We’ve got heaps of young bucks in the squad and we’ll stay together and keep moving forward. For me it’s just buying in and trying to connect with these guys."

That connection and willingness to back up your mate was on show in the dying stages of the Kumuls game as no fewer than eight Tongan players touched the ball in a frantic play which culminated in Keaon Koloamatangi's match-winning try.

After handling early in the movement, skipper Siosiua Taukeiaho stayed alive on the play to take a pass from young gun Tolutau Koula and dab a kick into the in-goal which sat up perfectly for Koloamatangi to score.

For Super League-bound Taukeiaho, who was also part of the 2017 World Cup campaign, the motivation is strong to leave a legacy for future generations of Tongan players.

"What was done in 2017 was more for our people and now seeing teams like PNG and especially Samoa, not playing for the money but playing for their people, for their families, and representing them well, that’s what we’ve been doing and it’s good to have this giant here (Fifita) come on board as well," Taukeiaho said.

"We're doing this for the next generation, the young kids, so hopefully one day we can see them pull on the jersey and represent their families."

Tonga's next match is against Wales on Tuesday and Woolf is hopeful of having rugged Rabbitoh Siliva Havili back on deck to share hooking duties with Soni Luke.