Internationals TONGA RLWC 2017 Campaign

[mt.wellington]

TONGA RLWC 2017 Campaign
Mate Ma'a Tonga




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[mt.wellington]

As with the last RLWC I've adopted another team. This one is easy as it's my own heritage. What better way to kick off this thread than this piece of awesome news...

Jason Taumalolo: Why I chose Tonga over Kiwis
4 Oct, 2017 4:06pm


Jason Taumalolo during a North Queensland Cowboys NRL media opportunity at Cowboys HQ on September 25, 2017 in Townsville, Australia. Photo / File.
NZ Herald

North Queensland superstar Jason Taumalolo has spoken out about his shock decision to choose Tonga over New Zealand for the upcoming rugby league World Cup.

Taumalolo released a statement this afternoon saying he made the decision to help the Tongan World Cup campaign and the development of rugby league in the country.

"I really enjoyed my time within the Tongan World Cup Squad last time and have had a long time association with Tongan Coach Kristian Woolf," said Taumalolo.

"I just feel it's time to give back and hopefully I can assist and inspire young Tongan players to chase their NRL goals.

"I see with the new international rule change an opportunity to represent both Tonga and NZ throughout my career, I have and will always be proud to wear the Kiwis Jersey. I just feel the World Cup provides developing nations like Tonga and opportunity to play on the big stage and I would like to help them with their campaign."

Taumalolo's withdrawal has rocked the Kiwis' preparation following news today that Melbourne premiership winner Tohu Harris will miss the tournament due to injury, following confirmation last week that Kieran Foran had also withdrawn from the tournament to focus recovering from an injury-riddled season.

New Zealand play Tonga on November 11 at Hamilton's Waikato Stadium, which will pit Taumalolo against his former Kiwi teammates.

The 2016 Dally M Medallist has been unstoppable for the Cowboys this year, running more than 5000m this season.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/league/news/article.cfm?c_id=79&objectid=11929578

 

[AlexM]

Wtf

 

[mt.wellington]

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[bruce]

Honest question. If they had to choose between Tonga and the Kiwis, period, no turning back, what would they do? That is the way it should be. I never want to see him in a Kiwi jersey again, ever. He has chosen Tonga, good luck to him and every Tongan player that wants to do the same, but don't come back.

 

[Fazz]

Jumping on the Tonga bandwagon. Kuck Fidwell and Fuck the Kiwis until he's gone. More players should follow JT's example to get real change happening.

 

[bruce]

Jumping on the Tonga bandwagon. Kuck Fidwell and Fuck the Kiwis until he's gone. More players should follow JT's example to get real change happening.

Mate the NZRL has been a basket case for a couple of decades now at least. We have had some pretty useless coaches in that time as well, and I mean useless. However there was always a proud spirit in the Kiwi team and respect for the jersey, especially in test matches. That came from the senior core of players and the skipper, even when most players were not even in the NSWRL or NRL. That debacle at Eden Park in 1988 when the coach was Tony Gordon. He had them all fired up for the haka but they were stuffed after that, no tactics only guts and determination from the players. It was heartbreaking watching them, they were a good side. Yet there was never any shite about I am going to pay for Tonga, and there were two Tongan descent players in the team. Things have changed, let them go, let them all fuck off and go I say, just don't come back.

 

[Selector]

My Tonga squad. Offical squad will be annouced tomorrow


Tonga

1. Hopoate
2. Tupou
3. Hurrell
4. Kata
5. Vatuvei
6. Lolohea
7. Hingano
8. Moa
9. Katoa
10. Latu
11. Manu
12. Pulu
13. Taumalolo

14. Politini
15. Paasi
16. Ofahengaue
17. Fonua-Blake

Fonua, Feki, Suli, Terepo, Langi, , Vave, Vea

 

[bruce]

3. Hurrell
4. Kata
5. Vatuvei
6. Lolohea

What a travesty it would be if they did anything spectacular.

 

[jonesy101]

I like in principle what the RLIF were attempting to do with the relaxing of the eligibility rules but I think its somewhat backfired. Aside from the
Taumalolo drama, the tug-of-war between Fiji and Tonga for Michael Jennings services is not a good look. He's already played for Tonga this year so should be playing for Tonga.

 

[Selector]

I like in principle what the RLIF were attempting to do with the relaxing of the eligibility rules but I think its somewhat backfired. Aside from the
Taumalolo drama, the tug-of-war between Fiji and Tonga for Michael Jennings services is not a good look. He's already played for Tonga this year so should be playing for Tonga.

He won't be playing for either side. He was selected for Australia.

 

[brightman]

I like in principle what the RLIF were attempting to do with the relaxing of the eligibility rules but I think its somewhat backfired. Aside from the
Taumalolo drama, the tug-of-war between Fiji and Tonga for Michael Jennings services is not a good look. He's already played for Tonga this year so should be playing for Tonga.

my understanding was the player could choose a 2nd or 3rd tier nation to represent if they were not selected by the tier 1 nation of their declared allegiance, so in short if JT is selected by NZ then he can not turn out for Tonga?(correct me if i'm mistaken)

 

[jonesy101]

He won't be playing for either side. He was selected for Australia.

He wasn't named in the 24 man Australian squad. Has he had a late call up? Have found the article below which confirms he was in this years Tongan squad, but didn't actually take the field:
https://www.sportingnews.com/au/lea...parramatta-eels-nrl/6oy4bh2sq3gk1k7l4p24h1w54

I think if a player has already represented a first tier then a second tier nation, they should not get the option for a third, otherwise we could end up with all sorts of revolving doors.

 

[Raw Power]

Jason Taumalolo... what a kick in the guts. You can't tell me if he had originally chose to play for QLD and the Kangaroos he would even contemplate or be allowed to represent Tonga... What a Fricken JOKE

 

[koolkat]

What a joke..stick with one team.what a stupid rule.can he play origin to now.i think that's what it's about

 

[mt.wellington]

If a tier one nation chooses a Polynesian player its ok but as soon as the shoes on the other foot you all cry like sooks lol. No one gave a shit when the Kiwis selected Solomone Kata for last years Tour to the UK. No one cared when the Kiwis selected Suaia Matagi last RLWC just to play Samoa. A team he had played for only 6 months before.

I don't believe Buzz's rumour of JT doing it out of spite. From his own quotes he is doing it to give back to the Tongan community. That is something admirable that we should be applauding. There is absolutely no evidence to suggest otherwise apart from making one plus one equal six or whatever other tin foil hat theories anyone wants to come up with.

Its certainly not his fault the eligibility rules are the way they are. They were relaxed to strengthen the tier two teams and JT playing for MMT has done exactly that. I for one cant wait to see the best forward in the world wear red. Come ANZAC time he will return and the lack of depth in the pack with the Kiwis will ensure he is first one selected...

 

[95 'til infinity]

If a tier one nation chooses a Polynesian player its ok but as soon as the shoes on the other foot you all cry like sooks lol. No one gave a shit when the Kiwis selected Solomone Kata for last years Tour to the UK. No one cared when the Kiwis selected Suaia Matagi last RLWC just to play Samoa. A team he had played for only 6 months before.

1000%

 

[1995Warriorsfan]

 

[Harlz]

Radio Sports were reading a txt out saying "Islanders dont refer to themselves as kiwi's rather than by their heritage so JT is most likely doing this for his parents and is proud of his Tongan ancestry hence his change of allegiance". I'm calling BS! Apply that same analogy with a Maori boy who had to chose playing for the All blacks or Maori All blacks. Yeah, thought so.

 

[Fazz]

I don't believe Buzz's rumour of JT doing it out of spite. From his own quotes he is doing it to give back to the Tongan community. That is something admirable that we should be applauding. There is absolutely no evidence to suggest otherwise apart from making one plus one equal six or whatever other tin foil hat theories anyone wants to come up with.

I agree with the rest of your post, but taking a league players word for anything is perilous at best, naive at worst. League players dribble absolute shit in their sleep. Lets not forget "Looking for a new challenge" or "Following my dream" being buzzwords for "I love money"

I really doubt JT would have jumped ship if the Kiwis knew their head from their arse.