Before Tonga defeated Samoa 38-22 during the representative weekend, Jason Taumalolo called for a Test match between Tonga and Australia at the end of this season.
“The only way we’re up with those top-tier nations is if we’re playing them,” the Cowboys wrecking ball said, echoing the thoughts of all rugby league fans.
There has been a positive change across the international rugby league landscape after the recent World Cup, just when we thought the Kiwis and Kangaroos would comfortably reach another tournament final.
This began with the defections to Tonga of two of the game’s best forwards, Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita, seeing the Pacific nation then move to fourth in the world rankings, behind Australia, New Zealand and England – the three top-tier nations.
The rugby league world quickly turned their attention to Tonga in the World Cup when they defeated New Zealand in the group stages. After the semi-final, fans were left wondering what could have been had they scored a final-minute try against England – a win would have seen them meet the Kangaroos in the final.
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Now there is an argument to say that Tonga have reached top-tier status, so the NRL and Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) must pencil in this much-anticipated Test against Australia.
Even more exciting would be the match-ups we would see as a result.
The Tongan forwards feature Taumalolo, Fifita, and young gun Tevita Pangai Jnr. Include the likes of Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Joe Ofahengaue and Manu Ma’u, and you’ve got a pack that could outmuscle any opposition.
Another string to their bow is that each of them have great attacking prowess, providing constant offloading threats and footwork at a level rarely seen in any other NRL forwards.
In the backline, there are points to be scored on both sides of the park, with the likes of Michael and Robert Jennings, Konrad Hurrell, Daniel Tupou and Will Hopoate.
NRLPhotos/Fional Goodall
For the Kangaroos, a new-look side will be selected due to the representative retirements of Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith. When coach Mal Meninga picks his new faces, he should look to Brad Fittler’s successful State of Origin campaign, which has featured 12 Blues debutants so far, including Latrell Mitchell, Nathan Cleary and Damien Cook.
State captains Greg Inglis and Boyd Cordner should also be certainties, and surely there’s room for the best young talent in the NRL, Kalyn Ponga.
While Tonga may lack NRL experience in key positions compared to their opposition, their pack could give them the upper hand, leading to a potential upset against the reigning World Champions.
So now it’s up to the NRL and RLIF. Here’s an opportunity for international rugby league to regain its mantle as the pinnacle of our game.
We saw the players’ passion during the representative weekend, so be ambitious and hold the Test in front of a full house at Suncorp Stadium – or, even better, at Eden Park.
You name it and we will go there. The fans need to see it.
latifah
Guest
there still tongans mate
Kunming Tiger
Roar Rookie
hopefully Tonga might get a team into the QLD Cup off the back of the increased interest that would translate into something tangible.
Max Mayer
Roar Guru
Yes please
paha
Guest
Well done pulling numbers out of your ass Geoff! Solid argument
Puli'uvea Vaiangina
Guest
why not Eden Park with more money there
Puli'uvea Vaiangina
Guest
I can guarantee here that both team players all eager to give it a go and put it to rest but it's the few people around the top of the goldmine are the wants who don't want to take the risk of loosing it. They will ensure that everything to decide the outcome of the game is there before making it possible. If why not give the MMT another game with the English at the end of this season but at the same time that gonna be a waste of time as it's outcome won't do much about the code so bring it on now or never. Please ex Kangroos player push harder to make it happen to entertain us and the rest of the world. Phil Gould is the man who will makes this happen as he is the only person the NRL reign could have listen to. BRING IT ON September or October please be a mann Aussie you scared of our MMT at the moment cheers make it happen
Cam
Guest
Should of had New Zealand vs Tonga at Eden Park in the Rep weekend. Would love to see Australia vs Tonga at Suncorp at the end of the year.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Mumbles (and we have a fair idea of his prior monikers )is trying really, really hard. RLWC 2021 attracts venue interest from England and Overseas..The Cup has received 40 expressions of interest (and growing) from potential host venues.including areas outside England. Perpignon,Avignon and Limerick.In addition places like Cornwall ,Coventry and Bristol as well as London(the new Stadium),as well as Old Trafford. 16 teams for mens, plus women's WC RL,plus wheelchair rl WC. Already two qualifying rounds have been played overseas.SFA expats. .On 17/6 Czech Republic 20 beat Norway 12 . On 1/7 Ukraine 34 beat Malta 22. Chile will become the first South and Central American country to play qualifying games against USA,Canada and Jamaica overseas. Chile has a domestic season involving Sthn City of Los Angeles,Antofagasta in the Norrh. U19 rugby league Euro championship has started :-Not expats locals. 31/3 Bulgaria lost to Serbia 20-26 13/5 Italy beat Serbia 36-20 19/5 Italy beat Ukraine 50-0 to playU 19 5/8 Wales v Russia Ireland v Scotland France v Italy Serbia v England. RLWC 2021 classified as a major event at Uk Sports Launch. Women's rugby league added to Pacific Games Council Charter on 19/6/18 Yep nothing much happening overseas LOL. And Mumbles is suggesting his code is on a par.Research needed buddy. As to eligibility rules, check the details on the RLIF dated 6th October 2017.It is very clear.
Nat
Roar Guru
Yah! lancy found the profile button, thus, exposing the work he had been so desperately requesting. So how does it feel that my "average work" gets a far better response than your best efforts? And this is what you do for a living! I'm SFR and your body of work is an example why will be scraping together a meager income until your old age pension kicks in. Your attempts at t.r.o.l.l.i.n.g are as pa - thetic as your league knowedge.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Thought it was you. Sad bugger.
Mumbles
Guest
So there is no other code than RL that has international eligibility rules that allow players to change at will. Thanks for deflecting away. Try playing a Tier 1 RL international in Sydney and try finding a neutral ref something RL seems incapable of. And have the Tongan test in Tonga just for a laugh instead of Campbelltown
Mumbles
Guest
How many Tongans live in Tas??? Or is this another one of your dreams - how you write such dribble based upon your experience in a small town and then apply it widely is beyond belief. The TRL (now deceased) stood for tas not Tonga....
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
The Kumuls have a semi pro team playing as the Hunters in the Qld Comp,Tonga does not.
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Beach rugby league in Turkey recently -teams from all over incl Serbia, Lebanon, and that's female teams! plus Tunisia, Bulgaria. AFL can't even win on the beaches, how are they going to storm anywhere else? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xKFOCsG43k Young, hip, AFL would die for such a thing OS
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
LOL.Your mob Mumbles has not even got to the stage of crawling internationally.Your getting desperate to use my analogy. If they were so confident they would in fact stage a WC.They simply don't. They have zero pro and semi pro teams outside this country to access players for a start.They wouldn't get TV backing ,nor the crowds, nor backing from overseas Govts to stage such an event. And just to enlighten you further ,I have found out 10% of the players in the football World Cup,were not born in the countries they represent.IOW heritage. A couple of examples to show you where rl differs from your mob.: Rugby league Europe on 23/12/15 received a record breaking financial boost to end what has been a pioneering season for the sport on the continent. The RLEF has been awarded a biggest ever grant of Euro 466,000 from the European Unions Erasmus + programme-one of only 22 projects selected for funding from over 330 applications for a three year scheme which includes 21 nations.Serbia and Ukraine two of the areas leading the project. 29/11/15 As a result of of an earlier 3 year grant by the EU E195,000 .The RLEF has qualified 31 technical directors and have qualified 221 new Level 1 coaches now supporting the growth of rugby league in Europe. Have to report your firing blanks mate. You picked the wrong one in Serbia champ.The code is booming there clubs,police schools and armed services getting involved.Involved in the Baltic Cup. I've already spelt out earlier the heritage and eligibility issue which are being tightened .I'm not here to hold your hand.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Apparently league was there first Terrence but was over run by union and then disappeared until 1986.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Thanks for mentioning Serbia mumblebum. Latest news is that a serbian team is interested in competing in either a lower league comp in England or the mooted European Cup. Exciting growth of our favourite game especially that we now have USA teams bidding to play in Europe as well.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Is that a good idea? you always get grumpy when you lose :P
Mumbles
Guest
I'll use your defence u used elsewhere. The AFL international cup is young and growing so "crawl before walk". International RL crowds are based on heritage players rather than locals played in Oz almost exclusively. But I digress answer this one simple question What other football code allows players to change countries at will? Don't deflect - don't go off on some Serbian tangent. name another code that's allows a flag of convenience?
Mungo
Guest
Fred That was Irish