Tonga to play rugby league test matches [1]
Friday, October 11, 2019 - 18:21
A Tonga Invitational XIII rugby league team including players such as Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita, will face Great Britain on 26 October in Hamilton, and Australia on 2 November in Auckland.
According to the Rugby League International Federation [2] (RLIF), the squad, which includes 17 of the players who featured in the Rugby League World Cup in 2017, will be coached by Kristian Woolf.
The announcement comes as Tonga is embroiled in a rugby league crisis that started when the Tonga National Rugby League (TNRL) body let go of Kristian Woolf resulting in players calling for the TNRL chairman and secretary to step down. TNRL is currently suspended by the RLIF. The newly formed Tonga Ma'a Tonga Rugby League body has been banned by the Supreme Court of Tonga from interferring with TNRL affairs.
At a press conference today, 11 October, Tonga Sports Council (TSC) explained that the two test matches are organized by GB Oceania Limited, not RLIF.
TSC Chairman, 'Ikani Taliai said an independent third party accepted an invitation from GB Oceania Limited, to field a team through a participation agreement contract but he did not know who the third party was.
TSC, TNRL, and the Tonga Ma’a Tonga Rugby League are not party to this contract.
Players focus on test matches
The players are excited to get back into camp now that there is certainty they will be playing the two test matches.
Jason Taumalolo told the RLIF that the players were happy and relieved that this matter had been resolved and “we can focus on what we need to do - play the best footy we can for our families and our people.”
"We are pumped and focused on these two major games and have plenty of motivation to play our best.”
Jason thanked Tongan fans for sticking by them.
"We love you and can't wait to put on our jersey and do you proud,” he said. "You are truly the best fans in the world, and we are very grateful for your patience. We can't wait to witness the 'sea of red' back again in Hamilton, and let's show the world we can fill up Eden Park."
Tonga Invitational XIII coach Kristian Woolf is delighted to have a talented squad capable of challenging the best nations in the world.
"This is a great opportunity for us to go up against two of the best teams in the world," Woolf said.
He said Australia is the top-ranked team on the planet, and they also get to face the Great Britain League Lions, an outfit that has not been together since 2007.
"These tests be historic, they will be about uniting a country – all our team members want to do is make the wonderful people of Tonga proud."
Tonga Invitational XIII team to contest the GB League Lions Tour and Oceania Cup include:
- John Asiata
- Andrew Fifita
- Addin Fonua-Blake
- David Fusitu'a
- Siliva Havili
- Ata Hingano
- William Hopoate
- Konrad Hurrell
- Michael Jennings
- Sione Katoa
- Tuimoala Lolohea
- Manu Ma'u
- Ben Murdoch-Masila
- Joe Ofahengaue
- Tevita Pangai jnr
- Kotoni Staggs
- Tevita Tatola
- Siosiua Taukeiaho
- Jason Taumalolo
- Daniel Tupou
- Sitili Tupouniua
- Coach: Kristian Woolf