Tonga tests appeal as our answer to Origin
New Zealand coach Michael Maguire believes the side’s next clash with Tonga could rival the intensity of a State of Origin clash.
The Kiwis had a 2-3 win-loss record in Maguire’s first year on the international scene with their next fixtures to feature a potential rematch with the Tongan side for the first time since last year’s World Cup clash.
Tonga created history on that occasion by securing their first win against a top-tier nation, sending the Kiwis crashing out of the tournament with their worst-ever finish in the World Cup.
England coach Wayne Bennett highlighted the advantages that Australia has with three games of Origin giving their international players crucial big-game experience, and Maguire sees Tonga as a perfect foil to provide that kind of experience for the Kiwis.
“It’s definitely got an opportunity to do that,” Maguire said.
“It’s obviously going to be played on that standalone weekend, so what a weekend of rugby league that’s going to be. Culturally, the things you can do around those games, I think it’s going to be a spectacle.”
Despite their 2-1 series loss to England, Maguire was confident the Kiwis were back on track and primed for a chance at facing Tonga again next year under the proposed new calendar.
“Definitely. To see the spectacle that we’ve seen, those games are the ones you want to be a part of,” Maguire said.
“I’m looking forward to getting that black jersey into the crowd too. For all our fans there, I’m looking forward to that time when it comes.
“That will be a great opportunity for ourselves and for Tonga.”
Proposals for the RLIF calendar were unveiled in the UK on Sunday and Maguire backed the decisions that were being made.
The Kiwis are set to compete in the Oceania Cup before end-of-season clashes with Great Britain in the Southern Hemisphere.
“I know they’ve been very busy in the background bringing games together and working on the actual calendar,” Maguire said.
“But I think all three countries and then Tonga being in a strong position, they’ve been sitting in that top end of international football, are all in a pretty good place at the moment.
“It’s quite exciting times for international footy. Moving forward, international footy is very alive.”
■ Canberra Raiders star Jordan Rapana has been ruled out for six months, with the winger sidelined until late May due to a shoulder injury suffered on international duty with the Kiwis.
Rapana is expected to return between round 11 and round 14 of the 2019 Telstra Premiership season.
The New Zealand speedster had surgery on a dislocated shoulder after suffering the injury in the second test against England last week.
Under a new system brought into place earlier this year, clubs can receive a salary cap exemption for the pro-rata value of an injured player’s contract, up to a maximum of $350,000, but only in cases in which the injured player misses at least 12 NRL games. — nrl.com