Taumalolo has Tongans firing
Tonga is shaping as a genuine contender for the World Cup after a big opening-round win over Scotland.
And one man could lead the minnow nation to history, says former Australian playmaker Matty Johns.
A 50-4 trumping of Scotland on Sunday put the Cup heavyweights on notice and announced Tonga as a genuine threat.
“38-0 over Scotland in the first half ... what a side,” Johns said on Triple M radio.
And Johns says it’s the shock addition of Jason Taumalolo that has turned Tonga into a contender.
“My Jack (Johns) played them in Innisfail and he said ‘mate Taumalolo, it’s like hitting a brick wall,” Johns said.
The defection of Taumalolo from New Zealand to Tonga has lit the fuse for a mouthwatering battle between the two nations on Saturday week.
“Isn’t that going to be a grudge match,” Johns said.
Tonga is fourth favourite with most bookmakers to win the Cup, behind Australia, New Zealand, and England.
Papua New Guinea has also put itself in the spotlight.
The petition to get the country a team in the NRL has been long-running but now it’s gaining serious momentum.
A 50-6 thumping of Wales on Saturday has lit a fire under the proposal.
First it was Laurie Daley and then Johns who called for PNG to be welcomed into the NRL as soon as possible.
Daley earmarked 2020 as the season he wants the team to be promoted.
PNG is already represented in the Queensland Cup by the Hunters, who won the competition this year.
England powerhouse Sam Burgess, meanwhile, is on track to return from injury in the Cup quarter-finals or even earlier.
Burgess hurt his knee during England’s loss to Australia in the tournament opener.