Storm’s Stefano commits to Tonga after firing for Samoa
Joel Gould and Melissa Woods |
Melbourne prop Stefano Utoikamanu is set to debut for Tonga after previously representing Samoa, in another tribute to the eclectic heritages of NRL players.
The 25-year-old was born in Auckland, played for Samoa in 2023 and has also lined up for NSW in three State of Origin games.
His father is Tongan and he is close to Tongan relatives.
Utoikamanu is a mature young man and said he had spoken to Australia coach Kevin Walters, Tonga mentor Kristian Woolf and Samoa coach Ben Gardiner about his decision.
“I have told them I want to play for Tonga at the end of the year. I am pretty keen,” Utoikamanu told AAP.
“I played for Samoa a couple of times in 2023 and that is my mum’s side of the family. My dad is Tongan and I have a few close (Tongan) cousins, so I am pretty keen to represent that side of the family.
“I don’t talk to my dad. I don’t have a relationship with him, but I have a lot of good family from my Tongan side that I was pretty close with growing up.
“My mum will be all right with it. She will be pretty happy with me representing the other side (of the family) too.”
The passion for his heritage and Pacific rugby league runs deep with Utoikamanu, who as a youth would watch his heroes battle it out in western Sydney.
“Seeing Andrew Fifita and Jason Taumalolo switch and play for Tonga, I actually grew up wanting to play for Tonga and supported Tonga,” he said.
“I used to love watching the games at the end of the year when Tonga played Samoa. I used to always go to those games.
“Going into that (Tonga) camp and having that experience under my belt is going to be a massive stepping stone for me.”
Utoikamanu and his rampaging Storm teammate Eli Katoa will join the Tonga camp in Brisbane ahead of the blockbuster Pacific Championships clash with Samoa at Suncorp Stadium on October 26.
“Payne Haas has switched his allegiance and is going to play for Samoa,” Utoikamanu said.
“We have a lot of Polynesian boys in the game, and when they strengthen those tier-two nations it is only going to be better for the international game.”
Utoikamanu, formerly with Parramatta and Wests Tigers, has been a vital cog in the Storm’s surge into the top two ahead of the NRL finals after applying advice from coach Craig Bellamy.
“I know that running the ball is my strength, and ‘Bellsa’ always says to bring your strength to the team,” he said.
“That is something I’ve been trying to knuckle down on ahead of the finals.
“I haven’t played any finals games in my career, so I can’t wait.
“We have tough games going into the finals, which is good for us and good to test myself against.”
AAP
