Leeds Rhinos capture Lolohea called up by Tonga to tackle Kangaroos as RFL sets date for Million Pound Game

Leeds-bound stand-off Tuimoala Lolohea has been included in Tonga's 29-strong squad for their historic Test against Australia in Auckland on October 20.
Leeds Rhinos' off-season signing, former New Zealand international Tuimoala Lolohea, has been called up by Tonga to play Australia. PIC: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.comLeeds Rhinos' off-season signing, former New Zealand international Tuimoala Lolohea, has been called up by Tonga to play Australia. PIC: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Leeds Rhinos' off-season signing, former New Zealand international Tuimoala Lolohea, has been called up by Tonga to play Australia. PIC: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com

Five Super League-based players have also been named – Sika Manu (Hull), Samisoni Langi (Catalans Dragons), Sam Moa (Catalans Dragons), Ben Murdoch-Masila (Warrington) and Ukuma Ta’ai (Huddersfield) – along with former Hull winger Mahe Fonua.

Injured Parramatta forward Manu Ma’u is the only player missing from the team that lost 20-18 to England in the semi-final in Auckland last November.

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n The Rugby Football League has chosen a date for the Million Pound Game which could be played in different time zones in England, France or Canada.

RFL CEO Ralph Rimmer. PIC: Bruce RollinsonRFL CEO Ralph Rimmer. PIC: Bruce Rollinson
RFL CEO Ralph Rimmer. PIC: Bruce Rollinson

The play-off between the clubs finishing fourth and fifth in the Qualifiers will be played at the home of the highest-placed team on Sunday, October 7, with a 7pm kick-off British Summer Time.

The match, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, will determine the final place in Super League for 2019.

As it stands now, Toronto would be at home to Toulouse in a repeat of last Saturday’s controversial Qualifiers clash at the Lamport Stadium but Salford, Leeds and Hull KR all need another win from the last two rounds to be assured of a top-three finish and London Broncos could yet force their way into the reckoning, while Widnes are not yet out of it.

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RFL chief executive Ralph Rimmer said: “There is the possibility that the Million Pound Game could be played in either England, France or Canada which goes to show how global the game of rugby league is.

“With this in mind, it was important that we made a decision with all stakeholders involved to find a date and time that worked for all the clubs in the Qualifiers as well as all our broadcast partners around the world.”

The Million Pound Game, which has been held at Wakefield, Hull KR and Leigh since its introduction four years ago, will be replaced in 2019 by a Championship Grand Final to determine promotion to Super League.