From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 14, no. 1, January 1999.

Rugby star, ‘Isitolo Maka, the big number 8 for New Zealand's Otago Highlanders and the All Blacks, said that if the Tongan Rugby Union wanted to develop Tongan rugby then it had to take a professional approach to the game. "It is not going to be easy, and it will take a long time-maybe about a century," he laughed.

"We have to try and link up with New Zealand clubs, so that Tongan players can come and play in New Zealand," said ‘Isitolo who returned to his home in Tonga recently.

"The one thing I can't understand is that when Samoan national players come to New Zealand, they automatically go and play in the first division. But when our boys come their either go and play in the second division or with clubs."

‘Isitolo stressed the need for rugby players to have the right attitude in order to get ahead in international rugby. He recalled when he and six other Tongan boys decided to try to get into the Ponsonby Rugby Club in Auckland. "After our first few visits most of the Tongan boys gave up because there were already a few big-time Samoan players there. I stuck it out with another boy, the others gave up and went back and played for Tongan clubs."

Competitiveness

‘Isitolo said that Tongan clubs are good only for socialising, "but it does not improve your rugby because you don't have the discipline and the competitiveness that is taking place in clubs with palangis and other nationalities."

‘Isitolo was in Tonga, with his mother, who is an ex-student of ‘Apifo‘ou College to the opening of the Sir Sofele Kakala and Patelesio Finau Memorial Hall at the school before Christmas.

But it was not all holiday for ‘Isitolo who was keeping up his training in preparation for the Super 12. "I have to keep my weight down, right now I am 128kg, but normally during the season I am about 120kg."