UNWANTED Gold Coast centre Lelea Paea scored three tries in Tonga's astonishing flogging of the Junior Kangaroos today - and revealed it could be the last time he ever plays alongside his brothers.
After a close call against Fiji last Friday, the Junior Roos were belted around Teifaiva Stadium in Nakualofa yesterday, conceding nine tries in a 44-8 flogging.
Jim Dymock's Tonga line-up included NRL stars Feleti Mateo, Manase Manuokafoa, Fetuli Talanoa, Tevita Metuisela, Richard Fa'aoso and the Paea brothers, Lelea, Lopini and Mickey.
An emotional Paea posed for photos with his brothers and relatives in the middle of the field at fulltime, saying: "I dont know if I'll be playing NRL next year. I'm looking to play rugby union.
"It could be (our last game). Hopefully my rugby union club will let me come back and play in the World Cup with them.
"It's special playing with your brothers. I grew up playing junior footy with them. This year I went up to the Gold Coast and split with them for the first time."
Lopini was also amongst the scorers in front of a 2500 crowd as Tonga raced to a 28-0 lead at the break.
Australia coach Matt Cameron said the game had been a good hit-out for Tonga's World Cup campaign for next year, but suggested Tonga coach Jim Dymock should have given more local players a run.
"It probably would have been nice to see some of the local players play in this game, in the same way Fiji put their local players in."
But Dymock said the ganme was a good chance for Tongan locals to see their NRL stars in person.
"We've got a game against Fiji coming up so we had a bit of pressure to perform," he said.
The game was also colourful off the pitch.
Both sides were introduced to Tongan princess Lupepauu Fusitua before kick-off, the first half went for 37 minutes because no-one knew how long it should have been and Australian Tim Mannah suffered a serious head cut from coral scattered around the pitch.
Albert Hopoate, brother of John, played his first game in two years after spending time as a Mormon missionary. He is contracted to Sydney Roosters next season.
And it was the first game on Tongan soil for Parramatta star Feleti Mateo, who spent two years as a child in Nakualofa.
TONGA 44 (Lelea Paea 3, Kim Vasi, Fetuli Talanoa, Lei Etuine Sua, Tevita Metuisela, Joel Tuafaao, Lopini Paea tries; Tuafaao 4 goals) JUNIOR KANGAROOS 6 (Tim Moltzen try; Trent Hodkinson goal) at Teifaiva Stadium. Referee: Ben Cummins (Australia). Crowd: 2500.