Representative rugby league will make a large step toward getting back to normal with three Pacific Tests, an Origin in Perth and a women’s interstate clash in Canberra in this year’s representative round.
The ARL Commission announced on Wednesday that there will be a Test double-header at Campbelltown as well as a New Zealand v Tonga match-up between the respective men’s and women’s teams in Auckland on June 25.
Women’s Origin kicks off the weekend on the Friday night at GIO Stadium with the men’s match at Perth’s Optus Stadium on the Sunday night of June 26.
The Kiwis’ clash with Tonga will be the first elite rugby league fixture in New Zealand since 2019 due to the Warriors’ relocation to Australia from the start of COVID-19 pandemic.
North Queensland superstar Jason Taumalolo, who hasn’t played for Tonga since leading them to a famous upset of Australia three years ago, touched on the special feeling representing his country gives him.
“It’s been a while since I last played for Tonga … the last time we did play was when we beat Australia,” he told AAP.
“It’s been years now, but I’ve been keeping in contact with a lot of people and they’ve been notifying us when we can play.
“Obviously my main focus is here at (North Queensland) but like you said, in the back of my mind, I’m thinking about obviously playing for Tonga.
“I love playing for Tonga, because it’s my culture and it’s a different feel playing for your people.”
After it was controversially postponed last year, the World Cup in England will be staged in October with the Kangaroos and Jillaroos red-hot favourites to lift the trophy.
“It is great to be able to give the players from the Pacific nations time together ahead of the World Cup. We are also really excited to have the chance to kick start and rejuvenate international rugby league in the Southern Hemisphere after the impact of the pandemic,” International Rugby League chairman Troy Grant said.
“There has been very little opportunity to play international matches for more than two years and we know how passionate the players from the Cook Islands, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tonga are about representing their nations.
Jason Taumalolo representing Tonga (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
“We are very grateful to the ARLC, NRL, clubs and each of the nations involved for their support and contribution towards what is an important and significant weekend for international rugby league.”
ARL chairman Peter V’landys said the Commission had “made it clear that growing international rugby league would be a priority and we are delivering on that promise”.
“Representative Round will provide a return to the excitement and national pride that Test matches produce.
“The Pacific Test matches will be vital for these nations as they prepare for the World Cup later this year and importantly, for our fans, a chance to watch their heroes live in their national colours. The passion of the Pacific Nations and their fans is something unique to rugby league.
“This is part of a long-term plan to grow the international game in conjunction with International Rugby League and member countries. We’ve seen with the growth and success of Tonga in recent years and we want to capitalise on the potential depth of our Test playing nations.”
- Ampol Women’s State of Origin at Canberra’s GIO Stadium on Friday, June 24
- New Zealand v Tonga in Auckland on Saturday, June 25
- Pacific double header featuring Samoa v Cook Islands and PNG v Fiji at Campbelltown Stadium on Saturday, June 25
- Ampol State of Origin II at Perth’s Optus Stadium on Sunday, June 26
Tickets for the 2022 Pacific Test at Campbelltown Stadium will be on sale on Tuesday, May 17 from $10 for adults, $5 for juniors and $25 for families. The 2022 Pacific Test will be broadcast live on the Nine Network and Fox Sports.
New Zealand Rugby League chief executive Greg Peters said his nation’s women’s side would also battle Tonga, eyeing off a record in the process.
“We encourage everyone to make their way to Mt Smart come June 25 to break the crowd attendance record for a women’s Test and celebrate the return of international rugby league to New Zealand shores after some challenging years,” he said.
“To celebrate Matariki (Maori New Year) weekend with an international Test double-header that unites our fans and communities in celebration is special.”
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Mike Meehall Wood
Editor
"For the avoidance of doubt selection for a domestic representative match or student international does not constitute a commitment to senior international rugby league for such Nation." - QLD or NZM don't matter at all. "When a Player is named in a 19-player squad for a Nation (or is named in the final tournament squad for a 9s Competition) according to the Eligibility Rules, he/she is deemed to have elected to play for that Nation." - Ponga played for Australia in the 9s
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
So Kayln Ponga, who has played for Qld Origin and NZ Maori, By playing from 12 years old in Qld is eligible for Australia But by his parents country of birth can also play for NZ And with respect, he is not in the running for an Australian fullback jumper in the foreseeable future, so jumping ship to play for NZ is a real possibility !
Mike Meehall Wood
Editor
A) Lol. It's the M62. Our maps show where the Pacific is, and their correct road names. B) Double lol. That was Brian Carney's real voice. I was live tweeting that event and, much as I am a genius, I can't transcribe and speak at the same time.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Don't worry about him, Mike. He pops up to antagonise every time somebody mentions international league - like clockwork.
Redcap
Roar Guru
I'm happy with it as is. It works on the basis of tiers and world cup cycles - i.e. you can't play for different nations within tier one (good - no more Tonie Carrolls) and you can't play for multiple nations in the same world cup cycle (no more Hazems, who played for Australia and Lebanon in the space of a couple of weeks a few years back).
Mike Meehall Wood
Editor
Australia is in the Pacific. They have played games there in the past: PNG played GB in PNG as recently as 2019.
Mike Meehall Wood
Editor
Eligiblity is absolutely sorted and has been for ages. Luai, for example, is eligible for his nation of heritage, Samoa, and the country of his birth, and until they play the World Cup, he doesn't have to decide. If he chose to play for Samoa in these Tests he would be ineligible for Australia. NSW, a subnational entity, are entitled to pick whoever they like based on the eligibility drawn up by their subnational competition. They have no influence on international eligibility at all.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Before we resume Pacific Tests the eligibility needs to be sorted out. Can not go back to the good old days for NZ recruited from every Pacific nation. Nor can we continue to let players chop and change. Players should vetted and asked now who they play for and its cast in stone For instance, Jarome Luai, has played for Samoa three times but still wants to put his hand up for NSW and Aust, Needs to be sorted as a priority otherwise its a Barbarian series as per Union
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Agree. Good to see intl RL back.
Greysy
Roar Rookie
Because playing in the Pacific generally ends up costing money rather than making it, particularly if you're playing in Samoa and Tonga where the stadiums are small and rudimentary and the wages are low (meaning that ticket prices need to be too).
matth
Roar Guru
Good to see the international calendar back after a hard few years.
Eric
Guest
Why don't the "Pacific" tests ever play in the Pacific?