Tonga has improved dramatically in the in the past couple of years, and there’s been speculation Australia will play the Polynesian nation in a test match at the end of the year.
Nothing has been confirmed, but Australia must play Tonga this year to promote and improve the international game – and the NRL needs to act quickly on this as they only have until 30 August to make a decision.
If the two teams clash this season, they need to find a stadium for the match to be played in, but perhaps the best choice is Panthers Stadium in Penrith. It’s in Western Sydney, where a lot of Tonga fans live, and there’ll be no shortage of Australian fans either.
They could play it at Suncorp Stadium, but it’d be better at a suburban ground with a packed house.
There’s no point playing it at ANZ Stadium, where you’ll get heaps of empty seats and no atmosphere. If it’s played at Penrith there’ll be 20,000 fans and an absolutely electric atmosphere – especially if the match is played in the afternoon with a 4pm kick-off.
This is a match international rugby league needs to have, so I don’t why it hasn’t been confirmed yet. There was a push for it to be played in New York, but the promoter couldn’t commit to the financial side of it.
Currently the Kangaroos have only one more test match for this year, on 13 October against New Zealand in Auckland. England then plays New Zealand in England.
If Western Sydney Stadium was finished, this match would’ve been played there.
Australia needs to play Tonga. Let’s make it happen.
Nat
Roar Guru
Do you see everyone else talking about the game? All you can offer is the same BS you've thrown up since since the start of the year. For a person who was lamenting how much your Yawnion boys were influenced* by league in their loss to the AB's, I would think you would understand the eligibility rules of our international game but you're a one trick pony and that trick is old. *Botha said | August 20th 2018 @ 1:42pm "whereas our guys grow up with RL dominant and different sorts of pressure but largely take the tackle if nothing is on..."
Big daddy
Guest
Your exactly right. Instead of looking at commercial aspect the NRL should play it in Tonga only for the fact it would promote the game there no matter the cost. How many players have come out of there and played league and also union. There are so many good players coming out of the islands. Let's pay them back by playing a match there.
Botha
Guest
When they are not playing for NZ or Australia
Botha
Guest
Nat, So no answers just abuse.
Antonio Belfort
Guest
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Like i said before mate, all banter mate... We'll wait & see if Australia will give us a game first? Or running scared lol if you think Australia will win by 40? Bring it on mate give us a game & you'll see ? ? ? ? ? ? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ? ? ?
Nat
Roar Guru
Funny isn't it Justin, anytime a RL international is raised, these same multi ID jokers come from nowhere to agree with themselves. You bet told to rack of because you classless hypocrites have nothing to offer. Go back to your Rah Rah pages whinging about the WallaSamAfriTongKiwFijibies not getting the job done against the All Blacks.
Botha
Guest
Max brings up good point and then retort with rack off. Classy. How many will play for Tonga and not someone else in RL international eligibility rules designed by someone from WWE. Name another sport that does it that way. When will Australia play a RL international in Sydney against a Tier 1 opposition. NZ dominates World Rugby but they still play internationals in their biggest city
Botha
Guest
Cathar missed the boat again. NZRL ruled Auckland out.
Bighorn
Guest
Antonio, Its one thing to have passion but a bit of sense would help too.
Nat
Roar Guru
You're a class act ridiculing a country of 110k and those leaving for the economic betterment of their families. 14/29 Wallabies were born elsewhere and Aust have 24m to choose from and you throw stones at Tonga.
Nat
Roar Guru
Fiji beat NZ in the Qtrs of the WC (albeit a heavily depleted NZ team but that's not what the record books say). You definitely have a better team than Fiji but PNG, tough as teak and very skilled, got Fiji earlier this year. PNG's big advantage is most play together every week in Q Cup with the intro of a few quality backs plus Seg/Martin. I'd like to see a full strength NZ team take on MMT in NZ. That's a game I'd give MMT is very good chance.
Antonio Belfort
Guest
Another ignorant comment ? ? ? ? ? they all have tongan blood mate... ? ? ? So that means they can play for tonga who cares where they born... ? ? ?
Antonio Belfort
Guest
? ? ? ? ? In the 102 year history of rugbyleague never has a tier 2 nation beat a tier 1 nation... NZ is part of the big boys mate, England almost. Again Your backs will need front foot ball? Your forwards will get smashed bashed up mate. All your backs will be doing is tryna tackle these behemoths ? ? ? ? ? i like your confidence also mate but tongan forward pack will run right through any kangaroos pack you put up... Just wait & see my friend... Wait only if Australia says yes to the game, the tongans fifita saying will play for free???? Like i said mate we will physically smash the life out of you aussies ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ??
Antonio Belfort
Guest
Half born in aust & half in nz, konrad hurrell is the only tongan born but it doesn't matter cause they all have tongan blood in them.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
We all know who max is. Best ignored.
Nat
Roar Guru
Hahaha, let's just hope them big boys can score on every play, do all the kickin, shut down Munster and Jimmy and catch JAC when he's burning down the sideline. You should be setting your sights on PNG or NZ to establish your place before attempting to lift your leg with the big dogs.
Nat
Roar Guru
Wake up to yourself Max.
Nat
Roar Guru
All based on this year bro. Every minute, every game. Here's the link. https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/player?playerid=111813 I have no doubt she'll be a physical opening 20 but this game goes for 80mins.
Max Danger
Guest
nope, none of the tongans were born there. plenty of wallabies born in australia. great attitude, he presents facts, you counter claim with a lie and then tell him to beat it
Max Danger
Guest
maybe its you that should do the research?