Perhaps a daft question, but I don't know the answer....
Why is Tonga an 'invitational' squad and not particularly national?...is the Tongan RL team not nationally recognised along with the Union code in their own country?

It's because of the fallout the players had with the Tongan RL authorities. They sacked new Saints coach Woolf for a few things including misdirecting and misusing Tonga RL cash. But then the players revolted and refused to play if he wasn't reinstated. He was reinstated by the Rugby League International Federation and the invitational bit was tagged on as it's not an official Tonga RL team.

[urlhttps://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/league/tonga-coach-denies-financial-wrongdoing-accusations-tongan-league-saga-rumbles[/url

Ty Sad.

Austin dropped for Hastings....I've no issues. Hastings is currently better.

Tonga squad: Will Hopoate; David Fusitu’a, Michael Jennings, Kotoni Staggs, Daniel Tupou; Tui Lolohea, Ata Hingano; Andrew Hingano; Andrew Fifita, Siliva Havili, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Manu Ma’u, Jason Taumalolo. Subs: Sione Katoa, Addin Fonua-Blake, John Asiata, Sitili Tupouniua. Reserves: Tevita Tatola, Konrad Hurrell, Fanitesi Niu.

Great Britain squad: Lachlan Coote; Jermaine McGillvary, Zak Hardaker, Oliver Gildart, Ryan Hall; Gareth Widdop, Jackson Hastings; Chris Hill, Josh Hodgson, Luke Thompson, John Bateman, Elliott Whitehead, James Graham. Subs: Josh Jones, Tom Burgess, Jonny Lomax, Alex Walmsley. Reserves: Jake Connor, Jack Hughes, George Williams, Daryl Clark.

Shame for Clark to miss out, looks like Wayne wants to give Hodgson the full 80.

Hodgson does 80 mins in the tougher league, so no complaints there either.
Still only a warm up, so Wayne rightly considering options.

The wingers stand out for me, neither have done anything to warrant being selected. I get that Makinson and Johnstone are injured, but there are still much better options.

Exactly personally I would of given Grace or Charnley a go, Hall has only played a handful of games this year he’s obviously been picked based upon past reputation rather than form and try scoring ability.

Not a chance either of those 2 would be ideal...too light framed. Lineham is a much better fit as an international level winger vs NRL standard opposition... (NZ)

This is just like how the England football team used to be picked, once you got in no matter how bad or not played you still got picked, best example I’ve got is John Barnes had one great game against Brazil and was never dropped, he was always good for club but crappy for country. As what has already been said I’m confused as to how Hall and Mcgilvary get picked ahead of others, Grace for me should of been in the squad.

Grace would get snapped in two...and if he avoided that...he'd be a revolving door.

Grace isn’t big enough or good enough to be GB winger. He is, however, a great example as to how you should distribute your salary cap as he is good enough to be the winger in a Championship winning St Helens side.

If he’d been playing in another Super League club, such as The Wire, he wouldn’t have had anything like as many chances to demonstrate his undoubted pace and his defensive frailties would have been far more evident. If he continues to improve, or we find ourselves short of wingers due to injury, then he may get a call up in the future but right now I would place him some way down the pecking order.

Grace is fine defensively. His one on one tackling is fantastic, saved many a try this season. His handling of high balls is his only real flaw now, something that hasn't come up recently but is an issue. He's better than Ryan Hall in every aspect of the game currently, and McGilvray too whilst we're at it. There is no way Bennett watches any Super League games, he's too stubborn and arrogant. The likes of Philbin will be coming on recommendation from the assistants.

Or maybe he just watched the challenge cup final which would explain his inclusion of Philbin and exclusion of Grace. I also believe Grace is overrated and would be hugely exposed at international level but, considering the injuries, I'm surprised he didn't get a chance.

Out of the Tonga line up I think none of these will feature in the first test anyhow.

Coote, Hardaker, Gildart, Hastings, Hill, Whitehead, Lomax, Jones.

I expect a much different result next week.

Very underwhelming performance, we didn’t match Tonga’s physically at all. Wayno has certain tactics very wrong, it’s obvious to see that game was crying out for Daryl Clark. Gildart & Thompson now injured it doesn’t bode well for the rest of the tour, especially with only two out of form/poor wingers and only one recognised centre whom is now injured.

Hall was completely finished a season or two before he left for the NRL. (Injury aside). He then when on to play just 6 games in the NRL this season yet is still selected for GB. Shocking and bemusing to say the least.

Masters of our own downfall, with a first half so drab, I was tempted to put Breakfast on, but the fragrant Ms Munchetty wasn't on.

For those who missed it, I'll give you a brief synopsis.
Tackled player plays the ball
Acting half picks up, and passes to first receiver
First receiver runs and gets tackled
Rinse and repeat, until the fifth tackle, whereon a nominated kicker hoofs one into the sky, and opposition playercatches.
Now, where have I seen THAT before

Second half was a little better, but not much.

Whatever happened to expansive RL?

No he isn't..good with ball in hand in fact devastating at times but..can't catch a high ball and certainly can't tackle...what I find amusing is we we have COOTE Austin and hastings who should be no where near this squad they are Aussie's.. Don't give me this crap about grannies and grandads in plymouth ...or uncles in kent they couldn't give a toss about great Britain... Look at bmm as to how proud he was to play for Tonga...takes the urine...rant over I'm off to count my pennies on a winning bet

Tonga deserved the win & where did Masilla get his extra minutes from ?

Only able to watch the first half, so judging on 40 minutes only I thought Walmsley stood out in our pack which was second best. Could the BMM who played for Tonga, please swap with the one that plays club rugby for us.

To be fare to BMM he upped his game time as his fitness improved. Just very late to be of effect with others fitness issues.

Looks like Clark & Philbin both getting a chance on the bench vs NZ at the weekend.

Exactly thought BMM looked very fit and looks in a lot better shape then he did at the start of season.

To be fair, Mr Creosote looked in better shape than BMM, last February

If only we could keep BMM off the waffer thin mints.