International rugby league has a tendency to be feast or famine: there can be years of inactivity followed by a rapid revitalisation of interest.
The past two years have been the most extreme to date: after almost no international football in 2020 and 2021 due mainly to the pandemic, there was an explosion of it in 2022 with revived Pacific Tests followed by a successful World Cup at the end of the year in the UK.
Now, according to reports in the Sydney Morning Herald, we could be set for a second bumper year of Test footy, with the Four Nations set to return later in 2023 featuring Australia, New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga in men’s competition as well as a Jillaroos v Kiwi Ferns women’s international.
But the major stumbling block remains the CBA, and with that, the potential participation of the Pacific nations. Like no point previously in the history of the sport, they hold all the aces and can play the historical powers off against each other.
Tonga are already deep in talks with England to tour the Northern Hemisphere at the same time that the proposed tournament would take place in Australia and New Zealand, with a deal likely to be announced when the NRL CBA is completed.
As far as England are concerned, the lack of a CBA is the only reason why they aren’t already selling tickets and building hype for the arrival of one of the most marketable names in the sport. They need to know the international window, so they can set the dates, book the grounds and get going.
For Mate Ma’a Tonga, it represents a watershed for their place in international rugby league, both in prestige terms and financial terms: they would be the first nation other than Australia or New Zealand to be afforded a full tour, and would expect to be treated – and paid – in the same way that the Kangaroos or Kiwis would.
They are now the big drawcard, a full graduation to the top table of the sport after playing on the undercard for so long.
(Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
The only previous Pacific nation to tour Europe as a standalone was Papua New Guinea, who toured France in 1979. Tonga have toured England as part of the 2006 Federation Shield tournament, though that also included France and Samoa and took place simultaneously with the 2006 Tri-Nations, which featured Great Britain.
They have never toured as the main event, however, and to be given that right would certainly be a new step forward for rugby league’s Pacific Revolution.
Tonga are thought to be considering their options, with financial guarantees sought from the Rugby Football League required before they will fully commit, as well as the signing of the NRL CBA that will free their Australia-based players to take part.
Currently, players are unable to confirm availability windows for international games until their club schedule, insurance and annual leave are agreed with their employers.
(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images for RLWC)
This is not a problem for NRL-based players, all of whom will have the same requirements and thus be able to fit into a Southern Hemisphere-based tournament with relative ease, but might present issues for a team looking to tour in England.
The financial side should not be a problem: English rugby league is currently being restructured alongside the RFL’s new strategic partners, IMG, who have made the international game a central pillar of their plan to transform the sport in its homeland.
They have already insisted on an annual England v France clash, with this year’s scheduled for next month, and will likely be able to successfully market Tonga v England later in the year given the success of last year’s World Cup and the historical appetite for international fixtures in the UK.
The competing options on either side of the world present a new frontier for Pacific nations in international footy.
Tonga, for the first time ever, will be able to play kingmakers and open themselves up to the highest bidder between the NRL and RFL. Australia and New Zealand could certainly play each other, but without Mate Ma’a and Toa Samoa, it’s half the occasion that it could be.
The Pacific nations are now the A-side, especially given their supporters’ ability to pack stadiums and the competitiveness of their teams.
Last year’s fixture with New Zealand in Auckland was a sea of Tongan red and the last time they played the Kangaroos, they defeated them. They have also sold out their last two fixtures in Australia.
(Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Toa Samoa have proven their worth by qualifying for the final of the 2021 World Cup and also their ability to put bums on seats, with superb numbers at their Pacific Test fixtures.
The Samoans are less interested in a trip to England given their extended stay there last year, which while successful on the field, was less enjoyable off it.
The team were unhappy with their accommodation, having been billeted in the South Yorkshire town of Doncaster – and had asked to be moved prior to shifting to Manchester ahead of the final.
Their administration is thought to prefer a year off entirely, given their exertions in 2022, or for Tests against Tonga on their home islands or in Auckland or Sydney.
It presents a conundrum for the NRL. Tonga’s governing body can likely get more upfront cash from England, who can sell TV rights, sponsorships and tickets to games in the UK that would be well-attended, but their players almost certainly would prefer to remain closer to home.
The NRL TV deal likely limits how much they can be offered as any game in Australia would be taken as part of the pre-existing arrangements with broadcasters with only the less lucrative rights in New Zealand on offer as a money-spinner.
The big winners are the Pacific nations, who hold all the cards at this stage. Of the Four Nations to play in the Southern Hemisphere, undoubtedly the Tonga v Samoa game would be the most anticipated by rugby league fans.
Australia and New Zealand need them as competitive opposition, with their other options being one or both of Fiji and Papua New Guinea, who could either join the tournament or have one take the place of Tonga should they choose to tour England.
(Photo by Charlotte Tattersall/Getty Images for RLWC)
Neither would be the same draw in terms of crowd numbers or standard of opposition as the two Polynesian nations, however, but both nations will be looking to play games at that time of year and would jump at the chance to take part.
England are desperate to find a strong opponent, both for the sake of their team and for the international game in the UK, which is built on touring opponents and less on games with France, Ireland, Wales and Scotland.
Given that they hosted the World Cup last year, England could be convinced to tour Down Under, but that would require a swift decision on the CBA in order to allow time to plan.
Seven of England’s 2021 World Cup squad are based in Australia and several more potential picks have contracts in place for 2024 in the NRL, which could again make logistics easier.
Whatever eventually happens, the current situation represents a brave new world for international rugby league.
Tonga and Samoa have been threats on the field for a long time, but are now the main event off it too. They are now the kingmakers.
Australians are among the sportiest people on Earth. Much as we like to play code wars with each other, the fact that we can…
Over the years 47 players have represented Australia in rugby league and union - so who is the best of the dual code internationals?
Proposed rule changes to Origin eligibility might be that rarest of things: a solution that works for everyone.
The shortlist for the International Rugby League (IRL) Golden Boot Award has been announced, with a host of hard-runners listed for the top prizes.…
After Australia's 30-nil thumping in the Pacific Championship final, there could be a vastly different Kangaroos team in the next international competition.
A famous day for New Zealand as the Kiwis thrash Australia to take the Pacific Championships title.
