Roos taking a pay cut to play Tonga

COWBOYS star and Australia incumbent Michael Morgan has called for Tonga’s international schedule to be expanded further after the two nations play a historic Test next month.

After weeks of deliberations, Kangaroos players have reportedly agreed to accept $5000 each in match payments, a quarter of their usual $20,000, in order to achieve greater financial parity between the two sides.

They will meet for the first time at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium on October 20, a week after Australia plays New Zealand at the same venue.

Morgan said the Kangaroos had no issues taking a hit to their back pocket in order to expand the international game after Tonga’s fairytale charge to last year’s World Cup semi-finals.

Cowboys superstar Jason Taumalolo and Sharks forward Andrew Fifita were among a host of big names to play for Tonga, who proved they had the quality to play more matches against tier-one teams.

Morgan, who will miss the Test as he recovers from surgery, is adamant Tonga deserves a bigger schedule.

“Yes I would be (prepared to play for less money) – it’s important the international game does grow,” Morgan said.

“But having only the one opportunity for Tonga to play this year is probably not ideal. I think you need more than that to keep growing. After the success they had last year through the World Cup it would have been good to see them play a few more games this season.”

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga said the Rugby League Players Assocation and the players should be lauded for the concession.

“They know how important this game is for the international game and have put the dollars on hold to play this game,” Meninga told NRL.com.

“I’m pretty proud of the decision the players made.

“Putting on the green and gold jersey is a privilege and the way they think about the jersey now is fantastic.”

It was also announced Tonga would face New Zealand in June next year, with a date and venue still to be finalised.

Tonga and Townsville Blackhawks coach Kristian Woolf was delighted his team’s stunning run at the World Cup had been acknowledged.

“We have been very vocal about wanting to play other tier-one countries. It’s a wonderful opportunity,” he said.

A torn bicep ended Morgan’s season in round 15, but the layoff allowed him to fix stomach and groin problems that had plagued him all season.

“I’d obviously rather have played the season out, but it has given me an opportunity to freshen up and get everything done I’ve needed to do,” he said.