Ativalu Lisati Joins Toa Samoa Team from Melbourne Storm
Ativalu Lisati, a promising forward from the Melbourne Storm, has received his first international call-up to the Toa Samoa team for the Pacific Championships. The 24-year-old prop is set to join the squad for their upcoming match against Tonga at Suncorp Stadium.
Lisati’s Career Highlights
Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 100 kg, Lisati replaces teammate Ata Mariota, who sustained a serious head injury during a prior match. Mariota participated actively for almost the entire game against the Kiwi team before being sidelined.
Lisati’s promotion comes after an impressive 2025 season in which he played 14 matches. His performance earned him the coveted Billy Slater Rookie of the Year award at Melbourne Storm’s Player of the Year Awards.
Changes in the Toa Samoa Lineup
The Toa Samoa squad has encountered significant challenges due to player injuries. Notably, Jaydn Su’a and Jazz Tevaga will miss the match against Tonga due to concussions.
- Su’a was performing well in the second row prior to his injury.
- Simi Sasagi will step into the starting lineup to replace Su’a.
- Benaiah Ioelu, who debuted against the Kiwi team, will take Sasagi’s spot on the bench.
Melbourne Storm Players on International Duty
Several members of the Melbourne Storm will represent their respective nations in upcoming matches. This includes:
- Stefano Utoikamanu, who will play as a prop for Tonga.
- Eli Katoa, scheduled to join the Tonga team in the second row.
Upcoming Matches
Melbourne Storm captain Harry Grant and vice-captain Cameron Munster are preparing to compete for the Australian Kangaroos in their Ashes campaign. This match against England is scheduled for a 12:30 AM kick-off on Sunday at Wembley Stadium.
In another exciting development, Storm prop Tui Kamikamica recently played a key role in leading Fiji to a convincing 44–22 victory over the Cook Islands in Port Moresby. Fiji established a 28–6 lead by halftime, successfully holding off any comeback attempts from the Cook Islands.
Fiji’s next match will be against Papua New Guinea on Saturday, November 1, at 4 PM.
