Mannering calls for Tongan test series
Kiwis veteran Simon Mannering has called for future test series between New Zealand and Tonga, in the wake of the historic Rugby League World Cup result at the weekend.
In an epic 28-22 comeback win in their pool b decider in Hamilton on Saturday evening, Tonga became the first second-tier nation to topple one of the big three sides, and with it, laid the foundations for a surge in the international game.
Listening to Mannering postmatch, you could have been forgiven for thinking the 31-year-old second rower was on the winning side, such were the glowing tones he spoke of what had just unfolded
‘‘I just thought it was a real great spectacle for rugby league. I’ve played for a number of years, and that’s probably the best crowd I’ve ever played in front of,’’ he said of the 24,041 sellout, which was so massively in favour of the visitors.
‘‘It was disappointing for us with the result, but I can walk off that field with a smile on my face, just happy with rugby league in general.
‘‘I just think it’s great for the game, we’ve got to look to grow the international game, and hopefully today was a start.’’
Halfback Shaun Johnson, while unhappy his side blew their chances, said credit certainly had to be handed Tonga’s way,agreed that the result boded well.
‘‘That’s really good for our sport, to have that competition, and have a nation like Tonga challenging those top-tier countries,’’ he said.
While no doubt Tonga were boosted plenty by the defectors from the New Zealand ranks, Mannering said that leading into the World Cup he was thinking good things were going to come from it.
‘‘Unfortunately it’s to our detriment today that Tonga beat us, but I always thought how good it’d be for a game for these second-tier nations to beat these top-tier nations,’’ he said.
‘‘If the Pacific Island teams get to choose their strongest teams, and we can create an international game where us as New Zealand don’t have to rely on England or Australia to get tournaments going, we could play Tonga in a three-match series here, or a tri-series with Samoa.’’
It just remains to be seen what the Rugby League International Federation do about building on the stunning platform. Time on the calendar is always the enemy, and getting NRL clubs to release players proves difficult.
But it starts with some equality, says Tonga coach Kristian Woolf.
It’s not an issue unique to rugby league, but players from New Zealand, Australia and England are set to earn up to $50,000 through the World Cup, while those representing the Pacific nations are receiving just $30 a day, as that’s all those countries can afford to throw at them.