ROOKIE Sea Eagles winger William Hopoate will continue his rise in the game when he plays international rugby league at the end of this season.

The 18-year-old has played just three NRL matches for the Sea Eagles in 2010, but that lack of experience will not stop him from representing Tonga later this year.

The teenager will join fellow Manly back Tony Williams in the Tongan national squad. The Tongans will play fierce rivals Samoa in a one-off Test at Parramatta Stadium on October 24.

The game, a full international, will act as a curtain-raiser to the Australia/Papua New Guinea Four Nations clash.

Australian Rules-bound Bronco Israel Folau is also an option for the Tongans.

Tongan coach Charlie Tonga told The Manly Daily on Monday that he has already locked-in Hopoate’s selection and views the Manly Cove junior as a long-term prospect for the fledgling nation at the Rugby League World Cup in the United Kingdom in 2013.

“I’m looking forward to working with him and working towards the World Cup,” Tonga said.

“We are just grateful to have him on board.

“He’s just young, enthusiastic and is full of energy.

“He’s got great skills and it just makes my job easier working with young kids like that.”

Representing Tonga this year will not stop Hopoate from playing for Australia or NSW in the future.

International rugby league laws allow players to swap national allegiances, but only after serving a two-year wait between World Cups.

But if Hopoate is not interested in representing Tonga at the World Cup in three years, he could represent Australia or NSW in 2012.

“We can’t just having players picking and choosing nations which some tend to do these days,” Australian Rugby League boss Geoff Carr said on Monday.

“He might be prepared to help his nation of heritage now then wait a couple of years and see what happens from there.”

Tonga said representing the smaller nation now will open the way for Hopoate to possibly represent Australia in the years to come.

“We don’t want to stop the young players to go on (and play for Australia), but we encourage them to play for Tonga and get some exposure then maybe they can go on to do bigger and better things,” Tonga, who played for the Bulldogs and Roosters, said.

Young Hopoate’s father, John Hopoate will also be part of the Tongan squad. “Hoppa will be there in a mentor role,” Tonga said.