Internationals TONGA RLWC 2017 Campaign

[wazzas]

Yup. NZ been doing the same thing to the islands since forever but it's only disrespectful when the Kiwis jersey comes into play eh? Lmao.

In saying that the edibility rules are a joke no doubt

Players who grow up in the islands but come to NZ or AUS to play professional League or Union should play for their home nations, but a lot of them are born and bred here.

 

[Beastmode]

Any Tongans players involved in what you saying? Snorting coke was two Maori boys...

.... while the Tongans were drinking it no doubt.

 

[mt.wellington]

You gots to chill lol - people getting so worked up over it...

Again just highlights the stupid as fuck eligibility rules of Rugby League... All of these grievances you guys are mentioning could be so easily avoided if we changed the eligibility rules to more closely resemble those of Rugby Union..

https://www.worldrugby.org/wr-resou.../English/pubData/source/files/Regulation8.pdf

That way once a player chooses to represent a given nation then that's that...

Would be great to see this rule (going both ways of course!) introduced some time in the future

Well first lets recognise the real joke and that is International Rugby League fullstop. There are only 3 nations in the race with the Aussies being clear favourites with the Kiwis or Poms a slight chance of an upset.

Thats why the rule was changed so 2nd tier nations could at least put on a spirited show during RLWC and a team ranked #2 wouldn't belt a team ranked #4 by 50 points.

In the past its been ridiculed for players playing for a tier one team after only representing a tier two team that very same year. One only has to remember Andrew Fifita being selected for the MMT Pacific Cup match this year only to be called up for the Kangaroos ANZAC team. No one cared then cause its ok to shit on the smaller nations.

People are only having a cry now cause the shoe is on the other foot but all of a sudden the plundering of talent is unacceptable lol. Hypocrites...

 

[mt.wellington]

The biggest problem I have is how they are handling this, they should have made this decision at the start of the year. If they are passionate about playing for Tonga, then good luck to them, its great for the international game. But to "snub" NZ because of a petty squabble with the coach (allegedly) just shows his lack of regard for the jersey. Furthermore, I agree about your point about Kata, I also had didn't like Fien pulling on the black jumper at th 2008 WC either.

All rumours started by an Aussie journalist. You remove that and take a player's direct quotes for what it is and you get a different picture. With so many players opting for MMT its clear that the players have all had word and decided to bring some pride to the Tongan jersey and heritage. Their parents will all be weeping in the stands when they play. They wont do that when they play in the Kiwi jersey...

 

[MXRecord]

Meh. I don't give a shit that he wants to play for Tonga instead, it's his choice but it's the way that its been handled. It only came out yesterday, a day before the team naming, as a surprise to the NZRL. This choice should have been made months ago.

Secondly, now that the choice has been made, he shouldn't be able to come back to the Kiwis. I'd even support players dropping from Tier 1 to Tier 2, just not the other way round.

 

[mt.wellington]

I'd even support players dropping from Tier 1 to Tier 2, just not the other way round.

LOL so its ok to do it one way but not the other? You guys are really blind aren't you. Do you not see the hypocrisy in this???

 

[Weno]

If Ata and Lolo step up.
Could be the smokey.
Kata be lucky to get in ahead of Brenko Lee , Michael Jennings and Konnie.
Even in the back three where it will probably be Hopoate , Tupou and Fusitua / Lee.

Got to get tickets for the Kiwis v Tonga game now.
Just got The Samoa v Tonga tickets,.

 

[Akkerz]

This is more about the RLPA imo. NRL players had threatened to boycott the world cup. Obviously that wouldn't have been too smart on their part so this action has been chosen instead. Tonga the winner on the day but let's see how it plays out on the field - and on the defectors careers in the future.

 

[wazzas]

All rumours started by an Aussie journalist. You remove that and take a player's direct quotes for what it is and you get a different picture. With so many players opting for MMT its clear that the players have all had word and decided to bring some pride to the Tongan jersey and heritage. Their parents will all be weeping in the stands when they play. They wont do that when they play in the Kiwi jersey...

Why make the call now though, if they wanted to put pride in the Tongan jersey, why not show respect to NZ and make the call earlier? If they want to play for Tonga, thats fine and its not the issue, but they shouldn't play for NZ again.

 

[mt.wellington]

This is more about the RLPA imo. NRL players had threatened to boycott the world cup. Obviously that wouldn't have been too smart on their part so this action has been chosen instead. Tonga the winner on the day but let's see how it plays out on the field - and on the defectors careers in the future.

Dont think so as it would be the Kangaroos with a mass player exodus led by Cameron Smith.

Only two ways I see it.

1. Players wanna play for MMT to honour their parents and do so at stadiums their family can get to and watch them.

2. Kidwell dissention is true...

 

[Lord_m_80]

Well first lets recognise the real joke and that is International Rugby League fullstop. There are only 3 nations in the race with the Aussies being clear favourites with the Kiwis or Poms a slight chance of an upset.

Thats why the rule was changed so 2nd tier nations could at least put on a spirited show during RLWC and a team ranked #2 wouldn't belt a team ranked #4 by 50 points.

In the past its been ridiculed for players playing for a tier one team after only representing a tier two team that very same year. One only has to remember Andrew Fifita being selected for the MMT Pacific Cup match this year only to be called up for the Kangaroos ANZAC team. No one cared then cause its ok to shit on the smaller nations.

People are only having a cry now cause the shoe is on the other foot but all of a sudden the plundering of talent is unacceptable lol. Hypocrites...

Totally agree re. the lack of competition in international league... just to clarify then - are you a fan of the current eligibility criteria or would you prefer to see players who have represented Tonga initially continue to do so as they grow in stature within the game rather than be poached by the tier one nations such as New Zealand or Australia?

 

[mt.wellington]

TONGA UNLEASH WORLD CUP SQUAD
Mate Ma'a Tonga announce Rugby League World Cup 2017 squad bolstering a number of blockbuster NRL players.

TON

The Tongan Rugby League have officially named North Queensland Cowboys’ star Jason Taumalolo and Kangaroo Andrew Fifita in their 2017 Rugby League World Cup squad on the day they welcome diversified investment and wealth management company Oreana Group to the team as their Official Partner.
Parramatta forward Manu Ma’u, Warriors’ winger David Fusitua and Roosters’ prop Sio Siua Taukeiaho will also play for Tonga.

Taumalolo yesterday pledged his allegiance to Tonga for the tournament that starts later this month and will now be joined in the squad by a host of high-profile NRL stars.

Fifita joined Taumalolo this morning after advising Australian coach Mal Meninga he wished to switch to Tonga, while Taukeiaho, Fusitua and Ma’u also advised New Zealand they would commit to Tonga.

The five big names are joined in the 24-man squad by former Kangaroos Michael Jennings and Daniel Tupou.

Other players to note include Titans’ centre Konrad Hurrell, Tigers’ half Tuimoala Lolohea, former Storm grand final winner Sika Manu and ex-Warriors’ crowd favourite Manu Vatuvei.

“The Tongan Rugby League is very pleased with the squad we have been able to assemble, and when you see names like Taumalolo, Fifita, Taukeiaho, Ma’u, Hopoate, Jennings and Tupou in the team, you can understand why,” said Tongan head coach Kristian Woolf.

“We have been drawn in a very strong group that includes the might of New Zealand, traditional neighbours and foes Samoa, and previous Four Nations participants Scotland.

“TONGA NEEDED TO PICK A STRONG A SQUAD AS POSSIBLE AND WITH THE TEAM WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ASSEMBLE, WE THINK WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE VERY COMPETITIVE.”
Woolf also welcomed the Oreana Group, comprised of Oreana Financial Services – offering leading wealth advisory and asset management solutions to retail and institutional clients through the Asia Pacific – and Oreana Property Group, a diversified company operating in the Australian residential and commercial markets.

“Oreana have shown a great commitment to come on board as our Official Partner for this tournament – the support they provide will assist us in trying to make this Tonga’s most successful World Cup ever,” he said.

“I’d like to thank them and the other supporters of our operation for their efforts to make Tonga a real threat in this tournament.”

Those other sponsors include the Tonga Government (www.Tongaholiday.com), R.D & S Prior Drainage and Plumbing Contractors, Tonga Power Limited, FI-TA, Tucorp, Classic Concrete Pumping, EPS Electrical Project Solutions, The Miller Family and Optimum Nutrition.

Tonga Rugby League World Cup 2017 Squad

• Andrew Fifita
• Mahe Fonua
• David Fusitua
• Siliva Havilli
• Ata Hingano
• Will Hopoate
• Konrad Hurrell
• Michael Jennings
• Solomone Kata
• Sione Katoa
• Samisoni Langi
• Tuimoala Lolohea
• Sika Manu
• Manu Ma'u
• Sam Moa
• Ben Murdoch Masila
• Joe Ofahengaue
• Tevita Pangai jnr
• Ukuma Ta'ai
• Sio Siua Taukieaho
• Jason Taumalolo
• Peni Terepo
• Daniel Tupou
• Manu Vatuvei

Vs Scotland
Purchase Tickets to Tonga v Scotland in Cairns on 29/10/2017

Vs Samoa
Purchase Tickets to Tonga v Samoa in Hamilton on 04/11/2017

Vs New Zealand
Purchase Tickets to Tonga v New Zealand in Hamilton on 11/11/2017

https://www.rlwc2017.com/news/tonga-unleash-world-cup-squad

 

[AlexM]

How does everyone see the squad looking ?

Fusitua or Jennings for fb
Lolo and hoppa in the halves
Hurrell and kata in the centres is a lol

 

[RICHMAN]

What about the Kiwis selecting Solomone Kata after he had played for Tonga only 6 months earlier? What about when they selected Suaia Matagi, Manu Ma'u, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Tuimoala Lolohea and even Siliva Havili only 6 months after they had played for Tonga or Samoa?

You guys are all hypocritical little bitches lol. Take some of your own medicine...

Hey mate I totally agree with you, the whole thing is a bloody mess. It doesn`t matter which team they played for it just shouldn`t happen full stop. It doesn`t happen in State of Origin. And to be honest those players you mentioned would not have the same passion for the kiwi jersey as those i mentioned so shouldn`t have been selected.

 

[Sup42]

I'm in two minds over the whole affair and only one stream of thought belongs in here ( the positives). the other in the other World cup thread.
Congratulations Tonga !!! who would have thought your favorite Sons would be so well represented so early and unexpectedly in the evolution of the Game !

Geepers if everything Clicks like it has on two occasions in the past (both against NZ) Tonga could take a big scalp in the pool stages.....should that happen....who knows from there.

I am rapt for the sport of Rugby league that this has happened...and I hope that the NZRL bans these guys....which in turn would see permanence to the quality of Tonga.....from there I would love to see the Aussie ELIGEABLE Tongan players look at the possibility of combining culture, nationhood, a brotherhood of men and joining the cause.

That might sound a stretch....but consider those values are really what test match footy is about....and never before has a Pacific national team fielded a current Dally M player surely.....all they need now is a super coach and some defectors from the Roos system.....beautiful....four Rugby league power teams.

 

[mt.wellington]

Totally agree re. the lack of competition in international league... just to clarify then - are you a fan of the current eligibility criteria or would you prefer to see players who have represented Tonga initially continue to do so as they grow in stature within the game?

Thing is the game, as an 'International' sport, cant afford for the eligibility rules to be any other way especially during an RLWC. The game is too weak to support such a tournament and not expect 10 of the 14 teams to have cricket scores posted against them. It makes a complete mockery of the whole exercise. Even though the whole thing is nothing more than a glorified Four Nations tourney its still a vital tool for expanding the game worldwide. The inclusion of Wales and Lebanon is proof enough of that.

The issue I see people having is the way the eligibility rules have allowed players to do the reverse. Opt for Tier 2 nations over Tier 1 teams. To me that is hypocritical...

 

[WarriorBall]

I've got no problem with it, these blokes are exploiting the rules which we all agree are a total farce.

The main four that would've made the NZ squad are all Kiwis who were born and bred in Auckland, the unnatural way it's unfolded just over the last few days suggests all is not well and whether they walk back in to the Kiwis post World Cup as eligibility allows will be interesting to see ... as I say I wouldn't have a problem with it.

 

[Akkerz]

Dont think so as it would be the Kangaroos with a mass player exodus led by Cameron Smith.

Only two ways I see it.

1. Players wanna play for MMT to honour their parents and do so at stadiums their family can get to and watch them.

2. Kidwell dissention is true...

While some chose their team and made their decision public earlier I don't believe that this group of players of Tongan heritage have independently all of a sudden decided not to play for NZ ( together with Fafita and possibly others selected for Aussie ) the whole scenario seems too orchestrated for that. Cam Smith and his cohorts would not want to put themselves in the shit but likely would look to others to do the deed.

Can't disagree with the Kidwell statement though Wellie . It's true he doesn't inspire confidence for sure but the Kiwis have my backing.

 

[Fazz]

So you believe Buzz Rothfield? LOL Im done with that argument. Lets just agree to disagree.

You also need to realise that if its money we talking about than Kiwis get paid match fees at the RLWC. Tongans don't...

Stop putting words in my mouth and then claiming argument over, eh?

I'm not saying I believe either side. I'm just saying league players have a history of giving a very PC answer, while their motives are very different. The money examples were generic ones because they're the ones you always hear, so I apologise if it came off like that was the accusation levelled at JT. I don't think it's that. What I think is that (rightfully) JT thinks Kidwell is a joke, so he's gone elsewhere. I don't even necessarily think he's defected because of the coke lads being sat out. Sure, he's probably keen to represent Tonga, but I also firmly believe that if the Kiwis weren't a total joke, he would have stuck with them.

Is it right for him to be in the black and white after already playing for Tonga? Probably not. Is it objectively a good thing for RL that he's switched? Fuck yes. Are there people in this thread that are butthurt about the islands getting one back? Sure? Am I one of them? No.

Literally all I was saying was that I don't think it's as simple as "I want to rep Tonga for honour." because there are pretty obviously some other issues. You can just look at the Kiwis utter failure to perform under Kidwell to see where there's smoke, there's fire.

Maybe take your own advice and "stop being a salty little bitch" instead of carrying on like a child whenever somebody says something even remotely contrary to what you've decided is the IRREFUTABLE TRUTH.

 

[Lord_m_80]

Thing is the game, as an 'International' sport, cant afford for the eligibility rules to be any other way especially during an RLWC. The game is too weak to support such a tournament and not expect 10 of the 14 teams to have cricket scores posted against them. It makes a complete mockery of the whole exercise. Even though the whole thing is nothing more than a glorified Four Nations tourney its still a vital tool for expanding the game worldwide. The inclusion of Wales and Lebanon is proof enough of that.

The issue I see people having is the way the eligibility rules have allowed players to do the reverse. Opt for Tier 2 nations over Tier 1 teams. To me that is hypocritical...

Cool as - got you

Just thought you were meaning that it was no good for such players to turn out for the kiwis after having represented other nations only six months prior..

Interesting as we have seen Union take a markedly different approach - which of the two are more competitive internationally? Can't claim to follow it at all but it seems that the global union sevens tournament has somehow managed to become a truly competitive international competition while the traditional 15 a side code seems to still be stuck in a 4 horse race every four years as their World Cup rolls around..