Tonga set their sights on Kiwis
After holding their own against the world champion Kangaroos, Tonga have already set their sights on next year’s anticipated clash against the Kiwis.
An error-ridden first half ultimately proved too much to overcome in Saturday’s 34-16 defeat at a sold out Mt Smart Stadium.
But once they found their groove after the break Tonga again showed they could mix it with the ‘‘big three’’ rugby league nations.
Tonga are desperate for more opportunities against tier one teams and are in talks to play Australia and the British Lions at the end of next year.
But the ‘‘grudge match’’ against the Kiwis has already been confirmed and preparation for that game begins now for coach Kristian Woolf.
‘‘Tongan Rugby League has always lived game by game outside of a World Cup and you never quite know when your next game’s coming up,’’ Woolf said.
‘‘The real positive is we know that’s locked in and we can start planning towards it. And we can be better prepared than what we were for this because of the timeline.
‘‘That certainly helps in terms of preparation and the better prepared we can be as a staff reflects on the players as well.’’
As they did at last year’s World Cup, Tonga’s passionate supporters stole the show on Saturday as they sang, danced and cheered the night away.
It led to a wonderful atmosphere but the test against New Zealand should be even better.
It’s a chance for the Kiwis to avenge the World Cup upset and has been likened to State of Origin, with the likes of Jason Taumalolo and David Fusitu’a squaring off against the team they left on the eve of that tournament.
The NZRL is yet to confirm a venue but Woolf has no doubt they could fill Eden Park.
‘‘That’s a real grudge match played over here and you’re obviously going to get a lot of support from our fans. But you’re also going to get a lot of support from the New Zealand fans,’’ he said.
‘‘I’d like to think that does go to a bigger venue.’’
Taumalolo, who ignited Tonga’s remarkable rise with his defection from the Kiwis, was looking forward to another game against his country of birth.
It’s regular fixtures like these that will ensure Tonga remain a force on the international scene for years to come.
Taumalolo sees the potential for growth right throughout the Pacific.
‘‘Having players come back and represent Tonga, other countries can take a bit from us,’’ Taumalolo said.
‘‘We were just fortunate that we had a lot of people work behind the scenes to make tonight happen. Now we’ve got a
lot more games in the next few years.
‘‘Hopefully, international footy can grow from that, not just us but other small nations too.’’
Saturday’s test was Tonga’s first against the Kangaroos and Taumalolo was under no illusions that they still have a lot to learn.
But after beating New Zealand, pushing England to the brink and dominating the majority of the second half against Australia in the space of 12 months, the future is bright so long as they are given more opportunities on the big stage.
‘‘We always knew that Australia would be the benchmark,’’ Taumalolo said.
‘‘We found out the hard way where tier one teams are compared to us. There’s a bit of a gap but I’m sure the boys can fix that in the next few years.’’
‘‘That’s a real grudge match played over here and you’re obviously going to get a lot of support from our fans.’’
Tonga coach Kristian Woolf on the prospect of playing the Kiwis in New Zealand