We have put a ribbon on the 2025 NRL and NRLW Premierships with the Brisbane Broncos securing a historic double on the weekend as they brought home both major trophies. That means it is time for representative footy and we have a bumper crop of games to look forward to including a rare Ashes tour of England and a huge Pacific Championship tournament.
The Parramatta Eels are well represented across the board and the list below hopefully features all named Eels (including the departing Dylan Brown and incoming recruits Jack De Belin and Keilee Joseph) barring the pending announcement of both Cook Island squads.
Congratulations to all the men and women in Blue & Gold who have won selection after fantastic campaigns in 2025. Stay healthy and play some great footy for your respective countries!
Australia Kangaroos Ashes Tour Squad
Mitchell Moses
Zac Lomax (Injured)
Josh Addo-Carr
Australia Jillaroos Squad
Keilee Joseph
Australia Prime Minister’s XIII (Men)
Jack Williams
Australia Prime Minister’s XIII (Women)
Abbi Church
Chloe Jackson
Fiji Bati (Men)
Kitione Kautoga
New Zealand Kiwis (Men)
Dylan Brown
Papua New Guinea Prime Minster’s XIII (Men)
Jack De Belin
Papua New Guinea Prime Minster’s XIII (Women)
Elsie Albert
Fleur Ginn
Toa Samoa (Men)
Junior Paulo
Fetu Samoa (Women)
Lindsay Tui
Ryvrr-Lee Alo
Tonga (Men)
Isaiah Iongi
Will Penisini
Tonga (Women)
Martha Mataele
With the omission for various reasons of latu fainu, tuimoala lolohea and kotoni staggs from the Tongan men’s side I wouldn’t be shocked to see iongi play 6 there. He’s done it before for tonga in lower grades so I’m assuming he’ll probably go there again and lehi hopoate wears the 1.
Don’t think it means ryles will entertain him moving to 6 in the nrl since his yardage and high ball defusal are already top tier but if he attacks from 6 we’ll it could create a good opportunity for him and joash to swap occasionally in their attacking roles in shape.
I too thought Iongi probably projects to #6 for this iteration of Tonga. I don’t think it carries too many implications for the Eels but quality reps to hone his ball-playing skills will not go astray. That said, Ryles and Wisemantel have also cooked up some interesting backline looks so maybe it does open up something similar to your suggestion as well Seb.