Ready to take on the world

ATA Hingano (Tonga), Jonny Walker (Scotland), Joel Riethmuller (Italy) and Tyrone McCarthy (Ireland) line up in Cairns ahead of the Rugby League World Cup, which starts today. The action heats up at Barlow Park on Sunday when Ireland take on Italy and Scotland face Tonga in a double-header. GET YOUR TEAM POSTERS INSIDE TAUMALOLO’S FOCUS

JASON Taumalolo says Tonga has done nothing to deserve the hype surrounding the star-studded team in this Rugby League World Cup. Not yet anyway. The Cowboys lock said he was even a little nervous about how his side would go against Scotland on Sunday, putting downing the Bravehearts ahead of dealing with the fallout of ditching the Kiwis.

Taumalolo, who has been criticised for his decision to represent Tonga, said even he still had to prove himself in a danger sign for their comparably inexperienced opponents.

“A lot of people think we have a great team and that but we haven’t even played a game of footy yet, so I think it will depend on how we play on Sunday afternoon and if the boys play well I’m sure we deserve the title but for now we haven’t achieved anything and there’s still a lot to be proven,” he said.

“I’m pretty excited – a little bit nervous, but mostly excited.

“We’ve got a great group of boys assembled and we’re ready to start playing on Sunday. We’ve done all the hard work, now we’re ready to take the field.”

Finally being able to walk the walk for Tonga will be a welcome relief for Taumalolo, who felt whether he played for New Zealand after the World Cup was out of his hands.

“I’m more worried about the game this weekend and I haven’t really paid much attention to everything outside of the Tonga camp so I think I’ll handle that when it comes,” he said.

Tonga ironed out some kinks in an intense opposed session with Ireland at Stan Williams Park yesterday.

Taumalolo said the final sessions would be especially useful for halves Tui Lolohea and Ata Hingano to gain some fluency with unfamiliar teammates.

“We all come from different clubs and play different roles but it’s all about coming together this weekend,” he said.

He said he didn’t expect the heat to be a factor, being similar to that of Tonga and the Far North over the past two weeks.

Tongan players will attend a junior rugby league carnival at Jones Park today.