Gordon Chan Kum Tong’s incredible 2023 season has continued with selection in the Samoan squad for the upcoming Pacific Championships.
The 21-year-old hooker made a memorable NRL debut against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in round 26 at Accor Stadium in a match that saw him play strongly in front of a huge contingent of family and friends.
He even converted a penalty goal after an act of kindness from Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans late in the game.
A week later, Chan Kum Tong scored his first NRL try at 4 Pines Park after another act of kindness from a Jason Saab pass saw the much loved clubman cross the line.
Born to Samoan parents (his father is half-Chinese), Chan Kum Tong is another protegee of the successful Sea Eagles Pathways Academy where he rose and starred in the junior representative ranks for Manly.
Chan Kum Tong's Manly team-mates Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic have been named in the Kangaroos squad.
Samoa will play Australia in Townsville on Saturday, October 14, at 8.10pm.
Toa Samoa squad
Jesse Arthars (Brisbane Broncos)
Daejarn Asi (Parramatta Eels)
Gordon Chan Kum Tong (Manly Sea Eagles)
Stephen Crichton (Penrith Panthers)
Sualauvi Faalogo (Melbourne Storm)
Royce Hunt (Cronulla Sharks)
Luciana Leilua (North Queensland Cowboys)
Connelly Lemuelu (Dolphins)
Spencer Leniu (Penrith Panthers)
Heilum Luki (North Queensland Cowboys)
Grey Marzhew (Newcastle Knights)
Justin Matamua (Wests Tigers)
Terrell May (Sydney Roosters)
Karl Oloapu (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Keenan Palasia (Brisbane Broncos)
Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels)
Izack Tago (Penrith Panthers)
Young Tonumaipea (Melbourne Storm)
Brian To'o (Penrith Panthers)
Stefano Utoikamanu (Wests Tigers)
