Vatuvei, who has scored 22 tries in 29 Tests for New Zealand and played 226 NRL matches for the Warriors, replaces Gold Coast centre Konrad Hurrell in the Tonga team for the triple header at Campbelltown Stadium.
The 31-year-old is the latest big name to pledge his allegiance to Tonga for the World Cup, along with Will Hopoate and Daniel Tupou, Michael Jennings and Andrew Fifita.
Hopoate and Tupou will play alongside Vatuvei against Fiji but Jennings and Fifita were ruled out of the team named last Friday, with the latter called into the Australian team to play New Zealand.
Tonga coach Kristian Woolf has also have called up Cronulla forward Tony Williams and Wests Tigers winger Moses Suli, while Manly prop Addin Fonua-Blake and Brisbane backrower Joe Ofahengaue have been promoted to the started line-up.
Suli replaces Sea Eagles winger Jorge Taufau, Williams comes into the side for Hull FC secondrower Sika Manu, Fonua-Blake starts for Andrew Fifita and Ofahengaue replaces Sydney Roosters lock Sio Siua Taukeihao.
Melbourne try-scoring sensation Suliasi Vunivalu is among a host of NRL stars named in the Fiji team for the Pacific Test triple-header at Campbelltown Stadium on Saturday night.
While Gold Coast superstar Jarryd Hayne was among the big names unavailable for the Test, the side named by Fiji coach Mick Potter demonstrates the depth he will have at his disposal for the Rugby League World Cup at the end of the season.
Besides Vunivalu, who is the equal leading try scorer in the NRL with eight tries in nine matches, the Bati team includes the likes Korbin Sims, Kane Evans, Waqa Blake, Kevin Naiqama, Marcelo Montoya and Apisai Korosau.
Meanwhile, Tonga have called up Cronulla forward Tony Williams and Wests Tigers winger Moses Suli, while Manly prop Addin Fonua-Blake and Brisbane backrower Joe Ofahengaue have been promoted to the started line-up.
Suli replaces Sea Eagles winger Jorge Taufau, Williams comes into the side for Hull FC secondrower Sika Manu, Fonua-Blake starts for Andrew Fifita and Ofahengaue replaces Sydney Roosters lock Sio Siua Taukeihao.
England coach Wayne Bennett has also been forced to make some changes to his squads named last week for the Test against Samoa at Campbelltown Stadium on Saturday night after injuries in the NRL and Super League.
Meanwhile, Samoa have received a boost for their Test against England on Saturday night, with Canberra prop Junior Paulo to join the sqaud, along with Warriors pair Ken Maumalo and Bunty Afoa.
Warrington pair Kevin Brown and Stefan Ratchford replace Wigan halfback George Williams and St George Illawarra five-eighth Gareth Widdop in the England squad.
Papua New Guinea have named Dragons winger Nene McDonald for the Test against Cook Islands at Campbelltown but Brisbane fullback David Mead, North Queensland halfback Ray Thompson and Canberra utility Kurt Baptiste were ruled out through injury.
NB: Players are listed in alphabetical order
England Squad
1. Kevin Brown
2. Sam Burgess
3. Thomas Burgess
4. Luke Gale
5. James Graham
6. Ryan Hall
7. Zak Hardaker
8. Chris Heighington
9. Chris Hill
10. Josh Hodgson
11. Jermaine McGillvary
12. Mike McMeeken
13. Chris McQueen
14. Sean O'Loughlin (c)
15. Mark Percival
16. Stefan Ratchford
17. Scott Taylor
18. Alex Walmsley
19. Kallum Watkins
20. Elliott Whitehead
Mate Ma’ Tonga Squad
1. Will Hopoate
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Manu Vatuvei
4. Brenko Lee
5. Moses Suli
6. Tuimoala Lolohea
7. Mafoa’aeata Hinganao
8. Leilani Latu
9. Siliva Havili
10. Addin Fonua-Blake
11. Felise Kaufusi
12. Tony Williams
13. Joe Ofahengaue
14. Sione Katoa
15. Patrick Kaufusi
16. Leivaha Pulu
17. Siosaia Vave
18. Samisoni Langi
19. Sione Vea
Fiji Bati Squad
1. Waqa Blake
2. Kane Evans
3. Tui Kamikamica
4. Viliame Kikau
5. Apisai Koroisau
6. Taane Milne
7. Marcelo Montoya
8. Sitiveni Moceidreke
9. Kevin Naiqama
10. Ben Nakubuwai
11. Tyrone Phillips
12. Henry Raiwalui
13. Daniel Saifiti
14. Jacob Saifiti
15. Korbin Sims
16. Akuila Uate
17. James Storer
18. Eloni Vunakece
19. Suliasi Vunivalu
Papua New Guinea
1. Stargroth Amean
2. Justin Olam
3. Thompson Teteh
4. Nene McDonald
5. Adex Were
6. Watson Boas
7. Ase Boas
8. Henry Noki
9. Wartovo Puara Jnr
10. Luke Page
11. Rod Griffin
12. Rhys Martin
13. Stanton Albert
14. Tommy Butterfield
15. Willie Minoga
16. Wellington Albert
17. Richard Pandia
18. Nixon Put
Toa Samoa Squad
1. Iulio "Bunty" Afoa
2. Leeson Ah Mau
3. John Asiata
4. Fa'amanu Brown
5. Herman Ese’ese
6. Sam Kasiano
7. Tim Lafai
8. Joseph Leilua
9. Josh McGuire
10. Peter Mata’utia
11. Sione Mata’utia
12. Suaia Matagi
13. Ken Maumalo
14. Anthony Milford
15. Junior Paulo
16. Kaysa Pritchard
17. Sauaso Sue
18. Antonio Winterstein
By Brad Walter | @BradWalterSport
Chief Correspondent, RLWC2017
