Tonga deserve more major tests: Fifita

Andrew Fifita has called for more games for Tonga, labelling Saturday’s test against Australia as the “biggest match of the year”.

The highly-anticipated clash between Mate Ma’a Tonga and the Kangaroos on Saturday night is a sellout, with the prospect of extra temporary seating being installed at Mt Smart Stadium to cope with the increased demand.

Tonga also has a date with the Kiwis next June in Auckland — it’s not completely finalised but is all but confirmed — but beyond that, their calendar is up in the air.

Their deeds at the 2017 World Cup have lifted them towards the top tier nations and Fifita says that needs to be recognised.

“It’s going to be the biggest game of the year and you are going to see a sea of red,” said Fifita.

“If we took this game to Eden Park, we would still pack that out. It’s Auckland and this is where everyone wants to be.”

“It’s about growing the international game in the right way. It’s not about three teams any more and I think we have challenged that from last year.

“I just wish we had a few more games for Tonga. I wish we had a trial match coming into this game so we can be a real force.”

Fifita, often acknowledged as the best prop in the game, stole the headlines with his last-minute change of allegiance before the World Cup, telling Australian coach Mal Meninga only two hours before the Kangaroos were due to assemble that his heart was with Tonga.

It’s going to be the biggest game of the year. If we took this game to Eden Park, we would still pack that out. Andrew Fifita

“I understood it was late [on the Tuesday],” said Fifita. “They had named it on the Sunday. I kind of knew I was going to change my mind but I guess I left it a bit too late.”

Fifita, who played seven tests for the Kangaroos, was braced for a negative reaction.

“I was talking it over with the wife and she just said, ‘do you really need the backlash?’ But I felt it went too far. We copped a lot of criticism at first. From players, a lot of journos, and Australian and New Zealand people. I have two nationalities and if you haven’t got two nationalities, you shouldn’t talk about what I am feeling and how we feel about this.”

But ultimately Fifita’s brave move, along with Jason Taumalolo, changed the dimension of the tournament and ensured their legacy as national heroes across the dozens of islands that make up the Kingdom of Tonga.

“Everyone said thank you for doing it,” said the 29-year-old. “We made the World Cup exciting. The crowds that happened showed that our decision was the right decision. We represented our little island with pride.

“[And] my Dad is just grateful. He cries every time I walk out on the field wearing this red jersey. I’ve never been in a team that welcomes a team with an atmosphere like us.”