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'Pretend I don't know them': Tonga star set for Kiwis
Joel Gould, AAP • October 30th, 2025 4:10 pm
Tonga forward Leka Halasima (c) can't wait to rip into New Zealand in their Pacific Cup clash | Photo: Dave Hunt/AAP
Tonga forward Leka Halasima will wrangle with several of his Warriors teammates for the first time in the Pacific Cup clash against New Zealand, but he has a plan of attack.
"It will be interesting. I won't worry about them too much," he told AAP.
"I will just pretend I don't know them and then go after them."
Tonga must win by at least 17 points at Eden Park on Sunday to advance to the final against Samoa on November 9 in Sydney.
They are boosted by the return of co-captain Jason Taumalolo who missed the disappointing 34-6 loss to Samoa in Brisbane on Sunday.
Halasima, 20, was a star for the Warriors during his breakout NRL season in 2025. He made history at the club with 13 tries securing him the leading try-scorer award, the first time a Warriors forward had won the gong.
Leka Halasima crashes over for a four-pointer against the Titans in Auckland | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/AAP
He will play against a Kiwis pack led by Warriors enforcer James Fisher-Harris, but is up for the challenge.
"It will be good to go up against Fish, Erin Clark and all those boys back from back at the Warriors," Halasima said.
"It wasn't the result we wanted against Samoa but we've just got to train hard and get ready to play the Kiwis. We have still got a chance to play in the final.
"I felt like there were too many missed tackles (against Samoa) but when we play the Kiwis we will put our shoulders into it."
For Halasima, his Tongan debut at Suncorp Stadium was a special moment.
Leka Halasima does some stretching exercises during a Tonga training session in Brisbane | Photo: Darren England/AAP
"It was crazy to make my international debut for the country where I am from, just to represent my family from Tonga," he said.
"I was born in Tonga and came to NZ when I was three years old.
"The last goal I wanted to tick off this year was to represent my country. So playing Samoa was a tick but we have got to do better against the Kiwis.
"It has been a good season for me. I have tried not to overthink it. I just do me. I play my way and do what I can do."
Taumalolo comes into the Tonga starting side with Stefano Utoikamanu (concussion) ruled out. Strike centre Robert Toia (foot) will miss the clash and he has been replaced by Penrith's 2024 grand final hero Paul Alamoti.
Leka Halasima the try-scoring freak strikes against the Titans | Warriors Live
