Brief
Junior Amone named in Tonga squad for Lebanon clash after NRL deregistration
Amone, 24, joins Tonga’s squad for a Friday night match against Lebanon after impressing in the Queensland Cup.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Talatau “Junior” Amone, a 24‑year‑old former NRL forward, has been named in the Tonga squad for its Friday night clash with Lebanon, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
What happened
Amone was deregistered by the NRL in 2022 after an incident in Wollongong where he attacked a roofing contractor with a hammer. He was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company, destroying property and intimidation. Although he pleaded not guilty, a court found him guilty of all charges and sentenced him to a two‑year community corrections order and 300 hours of community service. His father, also named Talatau, received a two‑year‑six‑month prison term for his role in the same incident.
Following the deregistration, Amone’s $500,000‑a‑year contract with St George Illawarra was terminated and the NRL has not yet approved a new contract for him in the top tier.
What the reports add
The article notes that Tonga received permission from World Cup organisers to select Amone after he impressed coaching staff while playing for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the Queensland Cup this season. Coach Kristian Woolf said Amone’s inclusion is a reward for his effort to revive his career and life. International Rugby League chairman Troy Grant confirmed there was no rule preventing Amone’s Cup application, adding that Amone has done extensive community work and there were “no grounds for his exclusion.”
What was said
Woolf told the SMH, “It will be outstanding for him to play again… there’s a different focus, there’s a real maturity about him, and it’s been a pleasure to have him in camp.” Grant said, “He was only subject to an NRL competition stand‑down… it’s a good redemption story.”
How it came about
Amone’s path back to international rugby follows his 2022 deregistration and subsequent community‑service sentence. His performances in the Queensland Cup this year convinced Tonga’s coaching staff to lobby for his inclusion, and World Cup officials granted an exemption. The decision aligns with previous Felo News coverage of NRL player eligibility issues, such as the market‑value challenge for Hudson Young (see NRL market‑value challenge). Whether Amone will start or come off the bench will depend on Woolf’s final team selection.
Key facts
- Junior Amone was deregistered by the NRL after a 2022 hammer attack incident. (smh.com.au)
- He was convicted of assault, destroying property and intimidation and sentenced to community corrections. (smh.com.au)
- Amone has been named in Tonga’s squad for the Friday night match against Lebanon. (smh.com.au)
- World Cup organisers gave Tonga permission to select Amone despite his NRL stand‑down. (smh.com.au)
- Coach Kristian Woolf and IRL chairman Troy Grant both praised Amone’s redemption and community work. (smh.com.au)
Sources
- [1] smh.com.au — originally reported as “Talatau ‘Junior’ Amone: Former NRL player set for international return in Tonga squad for Lebanon clash”
