Dragons teenagers Finau Latu, Jacob Halangahu, and Loko Pasifiki Tonga have all been selected in the Australian Under 18 Schoolboys team following the finals of the Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League 18 Years National Championships in Queensland.
Halangahu was named Player of the Championships whilst Latu claimed Player of the Final honours.
Latu and Halangahu – both students at Patrician Brothers’ College, Blacktown – were a part of the Dragons’ Harold Matthews side this past season whilst Tonga – who is currently a student at Endeavour Sports High in Caringbah – spent the season with the Dragons’ SG Ball side before making the leap up to Jersey Flegg level.
The Australian Schoolboys side will come together for a clash in Papua New Guinea later this year.
"Humbled and honoured to receive the opportunity" Aus Schoolboys Finau Latu signs futures contract with St George Illawarra
The nephew of Tongan great Solomon Haumono, Latu signed a contract with the Dragons that will see him commence preseason training with the NRL squad in November before joining the extended NRL squad in 2025.
“I’m just trying to work hard now, so when I get into preseason it’s just the same things,” Latu said.
“I’m looking forward to it. I just like taking it week by week and make sure that I can do everything that I can possibly do to make myself better and my game better... Meeting up with people like Kyle Stanley just really influenced me and showed me the bigger opportunities that I had over here.”
A Minchinbury Jets junior, the 17-year-old is honoured to have won the opportunity to pull on the green and gold Australian Schoolboys jersey.
“It’s just an overwhelming feeling. I’m just very happy and very proud that I could make my family proud,” he said.
“I just can’t wait to keep going and go out to PNG and play in the Australian Schoolboys side.”
The skipper of the Dragons Harold Matthews Cup side this past season, Halangahu was emotional upon learning of his Australian Schoolboys nod.
“I was definitely holding a few tears back,” Halangahu said.
“Being half-Australian and half-Tongan, it’s definitely a privilege to put on that jersey and represent my mother’s side.”
Just two years on from a devastating injury blow, the Minchinbury Jets and Brothers Penrith junior credits his family for helping him continue on such an impressive journey.
“My family is my rock. They’re everything. If it wasn’t for them, I probably wouldn’t be here today. Two years ago, when I did get a really bad injury, my family were always in my corner, and they’ve lifted my hopes from there… I’m just trying to be that kid from the area that’s making it out to make his family proud," the soon-to-be 17-year-old said.
“I ended up breaking my main bone in my leg and dislocating my ankle bone and needed three surgeries. When I got injured, Penrith didn’t want me anymore… My manager picked out the Dragons with Kyle Stanley and I came in. Since then, I’ve loved it all. I’m loving every bit."
Halangahu admits there are some nerves but that he is excited for the opportunity to make the trip to Papua New Guinea.
“I’m excited but a bit nervous as well. It’s going to be like running into brick walls,” he laughed.
“Luckily, we have people like Loko here to lay the foundation in the middle for us back-rowers.”
Pasifiki Tonga admits he was a little surprised when he heard his name announced but humbled by the honour.
“I was very excited,” Pasifiki Tonga said.
“I was doubting myself that I would make it, but I just heard my name and got very excited and happy… Without my parents, I wouldn’t be here.”
His journey has taken him from state to state but the teenager is thankful to have found a home at the Red V.
“This is my first club and I’m loving it here,” he said.
“My junior footy, I was at the Bankstown Bulls from four to 10 and then I moved to the Chester Hill Hornets for two years. We all moved down to Melbourne and stayed there for like four years but there was barely any league there, so I moved to union… I got the opportunity to play in Ipswich for a year and then the Dragons brought me back down here.”
Pasifiki Tonga is also looking forward to the opportunity to travel abroad with the Australian Schoolboys squad.
“The PNG boys are pretty massive, hey,” the 195-centimetre, 118-kilogram prop laughed.
“I don’t know what they will come out with but I’m very excited… I’ve barely left Australia. I’ve just been to New Zealand and Tonga.”
