New Tongan coaches Meg Ward and Vanessa Foliaki have begun compiling a depth chart of eligible players for the end-of-season Pacific Championships and 2028 Women’s World Cup.
Ward and Foliaki, who played together for the Jillaroos at the 2017 World Cup, will reunite after being appointed as coach and assistant coach respectively of the Tongan women’s team.
Foliaki, who captained Tonga in last year’s RLWC2026 qualifier against Samoa, has moved into a coaching role with the Bulldogs NRLW squad after retiring earlier this year, while Ward is the Dolphins women’s academy coach.
The former Broncos star has also been a member of the coaching staff for Queensland and PNG Orchids under Tahnee Norris since retiring from the NRLW at the end of the 2022 season.
“I’m just excited to come in and try to help develop and grow some of the awesome talent that’s there,” Ward said.
“It is a little bit disappointing that they haven’t qualified for World Cup, but at the same time to think of the future for Tonga … the next World Cup in 2028 isn’t that far away, so to think about the kind of squad you could put together over the next few years to build towards that is very exciting.”
Ward and Foliaki applied for their roles independent of each other but are now looking forward to working together again.
Among the first tasks the pair have undertaken is compiling lists of players who could play for Tonga now and in the future.
“We’ve just been working closely together to put a depth chart together,” Ward said. “When you look at the depth chart that we’ve got, it’s pretty crazy.
“We are just watching the girls at the moment, watching their footy. We will probably start to contact girls over the next week or two and then start to put the squad together.”
Foliaki, who became an assistant to Bulldogs coach Brayden Williame after coaching the club’s Lisa Fioala Cup U17s squad earlier this year, estimates that up to seven of the NRLW squad are eligible for Tonga.
The 32-year-old had intended to play for the Sharks again this season but has become one of first NRLW stars to transition into an off-field role.
“It has been a pretty quick jump for me, I am new and starting in my coaching career, but I am definitely learning a lot.
Pride and passion from Tonga
“It wasn’t until I took on the Lisa Fiaola Cup role that I realised how much I loved it and that is ultimately why I ended up announcing my retirement. I thought I would rather pursue the opportunity to coach.
“I had done everything I wanted to do in the game, and for me coaching was the next chapter.”
Coincidentally, Foliaki’s last game was for Tonga in last year’s World Cup qualifier against Samoa, who won 30-16 and edged Fiji 16-12 to qualify for RLWC2026 in Australia and Papua New Guinea.
“I bring experience because I have played for so long but I guess for me, I am Tongan, so understanding our culture and the role that women play on and off the field is probably the biggest part,” she said.
“I have actually played for Australia with Meg, so I know her really well. The universe just put us together again. Coming from a Tongan background I’ll be able to help Meg understand our culture and our customs.
“I think a key thing for myself, and probably Meg too, is that we have really good relationships with the players. Having two females who have already built connections with the girls is probably going to entice more players to come over and play for Tonga.”
Among the big-name stars eligible for Tonga are Raiders captain Simaima Taufa and Cronulla’s Tiana Penitani Gray, who both play for Australia, and Bulldogs co-captain Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa, who is a mainstay for New Zealand.
While the trio are expected to play for the Jillaroos and Kiwi Ferns at this year’s Pacific Cup and RLWC2026, Ward and Foliaki are hopeful they may represent their Tongan heritage at the 2028 World Cup.
“I think the qualifying for us begins next year, so 2028 is coming around very quick and it is very exciting. It is about building our team now and getting everyone back,” Foliaki said.
“We have seen in the men’s game what Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita did and now it is happening with Samoa too. We want it to be like that for us.”