Tongan prop Sio Siua Taukeiaho believes teammate and halfback Ata Hingano should be a regular starter in the NRL.
Hingano has been an influential figure for the Mate Ma'a at the Rugby League World Cup and shares the team's lead for the most try assists for the tournament.
However, the 20-year-old has yet to cement a place in the New Zealand Warriors team, having made his first-grade debut last year.
Taukeiaho is adamant Hingano has the tools to lead an NRL club, as he has already shown for the men in red in their march to the World Cup semi-finals.
"I think he deserves a start," he said.
"Wherever he goes at a club, I think he's still young and he still's got a lot in him, so hopefully we see him playing first grade soon."
Hingano only featured in 13 games for the Warriors this season, and any chance of improved minutes took another blow following the club's announcement they have signed former Manly Sea Eagles player Blake Green on Tuesday.
But Taukeiaho remains confident the youngster can put pressure on the 31-year-old veteran for the job ahead of the 2018 season.
"I don't really know much about Blake Green, but I think Ata being there as well, he can put some competition there for the other halves as well," he said.
"He's a good player Ata, we respect him heaps here and he's done a good role for us here and him being in our team, he's made us get here so far, playing in the semi-finals.
"I think it's going to be a big game for him and Tui this weekend."
Hingano will again crucial to Tonga's cause as they prepare for their clash against England on Saturday for spot in the final, where a potential match-up with Australia looms.
Taukeiaho is wary of the challenge posed, and understands where the game will be won or lost.
"England's always been in the top three, playing in the Four Nations or the World Cup, they've always been a competitive team and we know exactly what they are going to bring on the day," he said.
"They're just real competitive, strong, fit and we can't take them lightly this week, it's going to be a big task for us and especially with a big forward pack as well.
"Think Sam Burgess will be leading the forward pack at the moment, so hopefully can match their forwards on Saturday."
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