TONGA OUT TO SECURE TAUMALOLO LONG TERM
THE chairman of Tongan Rugby League wants Jason Taumalolo in his country’s red jersey for life and predicted the giant- killing nation could power through to face reigning champions Australia in the World Cup final.
Tonga have charged through the tournament’s preliminary rounds, defeating New Zealand to become the first tier- two nation to beat a tier- one team.
They now face Lebanon in the quarter- finals in Christchurch on Saturday to take another step closer to the decider.
But Stan Moheloa doesn’t want this World Cup breakthrough to be a flash in the pan, calling for an annual Four Nations tournament between Pacific nations Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and the Cook Islands.
Moheloa has backed coach Kristian Woolf’s side to capitalise on their Cup chance, declaring it was “now or never” for their star- studded line- up.
Led by Taumalolo, Tonga have emerged as the tournament’s fan favourites.
They rode that wave of support last Saturday as they overcame a 16- 2 halftime deficit to record a history- making win over the Kiwis in Hamilton.
Victory has put Tonga to the opposite side of the draw to the Kangaroos, meaning they can only face off in the final.
Before the tournament began, bookmakers were offering $ 21 for Australia and Tonga to meet in the decider.
“The way it’s tracking at the moment, who knows? We’ll probably end up playing Australia in the final,” Moheloa said. “With the depth we have in the team at the moment, we do it now or never.
“It’s our time if we play our cards right, stick to our game plan and improve our discipline on the field. That will turn into results.
“The win ( against New Zealand) was a long time coming for Tonga. We would like to do well in the next game and come back to Auckland for a semi- final.”
Taumalolo has been sensational for Tonga and led the pre- match Sipi Tau before the weekend’s victory.
The Pacific nation, with a population of just over 100,000 people, is desperate for the North Queensland star to forever remain in red and white.
“We would like to see that happen,” Moheloa said.
“We would be very fortunate if he decided to do so. We’ll take one thing at a time.”
Tonga travelled to Christchurch yesterday to prepare for their World Cup elimination quarter- final.
Australia play Samoa in Darwin on Friday, while New Zealand face Fiji on Saturday in Wellington and England play against PNG on Sunday in Melbourne.