August 11, 2026 — 6:28pm
St George Illawarra recruit Keaon Koloamatangi is considering skipping the World Cup to undergo surgery and ensure he is fit for day one of pre-season training with his new club.
Koloamatangi played in all three Ashes Tests for the Kangaroos off the bench late last season, and remains a big part of coach Kevin Walters’ plans for the World Cup in October and November.
Koloamatangi’s ability to play on an edge as well as in the middle has not been lost on Walters, whose incumbent back-rowers Angus Crichton (rugby) and Hudson Young (Achilles) will be unavailable for the tournament on home soil.
The 28-year-old Koloamatangi is also eligible to represent Tonga, and said the pay cut he would take to play for the Pacific nation – $850 match payments compared to a guaranteed $40,000 pay day representing Australia – was not a concern.
