Frizell will pay tribute to his mother by making his Tonga debut on the historic tour.
It is unusual for a footballer to relaunch his international career at the age of 32, but Newcastle veteran Tyson Frizell is relishing the opportunity to do so with Tonga.
Frizell will fly to England on Thursday with the Tongan team for a historic three-Test trip against the Lions, having previously represented Wales and Australia in a rare international trifecta.
“I am really proud to represent my mum’s (Sophia’s) side of the family,” Frizell said on Tuesday from the Tonga camp in Redcliffe.
Frizell discussed playing for Tonga with coach Kristian Woolf when he first took over in 2014, but he was committed to Wales, with whom he competed in the 2013 World Cup.
The NSW Blues second-rower went on to win the 2017 World Cup with the Kangaroos before retiring from international rugby in 2019.
“It’s all come full circle now.” “I’d always wanted to play for Tonga, and I’d been talking to ‘Woolfy’ about it for the last two years,” Frizell stated.
“This will be the first time that Tonga has been able to do this in a three-game series against England.”
Tongan pack members include Warriors legend Addin Fonua-Blake, Manly wrecking ball Haumole Olakau’atu, and South Sydney’s Keaon Koloamatangi, who made his NSW debut this year.
Tonga reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2017 and the quarter-finals in 2022, and Frizell believes they are capable of defeating England.
“What’s the harm?” “We believe we can beat anyone,” he remarked.
“A lot of these guys have paved the way for Pacific Islanders to return and play for their country.”
“We’ll keep leading the way, and hopefully I’ll be able to help create something for future Tongan kids who want to play for their country.”
“It’s a strong squad, and I’m really excited about it.”
“It is not nice playing on the other side against these boys like Addin and Haumole, so it will be nice to stand alongside them for the first time.”
Frizell predicted that Tonga, like his club team the Knights, was on the verge of something remarkable on the world stage.
“(Winning the premiership) is what we want to do, and if we can put in another tough pre-season hopefully we can have a better start to the year,” he went on to say.
Frizell is under contract with the Knights through the end of 2024, with a 2025 option and a mutual option with the club for 2026.
He intends to play till he is 35 years old.
“I’d love to play for as long as I can if the body and mind is good,” Frizell stated in an interview.
The first of three Tests in England for Tonga begins on October 22 in St Helens.
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