THEY’VE helped revitalise the international game and Tonga coach Kristian Woolf believes his team has shown it deserves to help launch Townsville’s new stadium.
The Mate Ma’a are the flavour of the month after they followed up their stirring run to last year’s World Cup semi finals with a brilliant attacking display in their recent Pacific Test win over Samoa.
Tonga is advocating to play a landmark test against world champions Australia at the end of the NRL season, and Woolf is “very confident” an agreement will be reached.
Given Townsville Blackhawks coach Woolf and Tonga skipper and Cowboys champion Jason Taumalolo are both based in the city, a Tonga match in Townsville makes sense.
The latest images of what the 20,000-seat facility will look like were released next week, and it remains on track to be ready for use by the start of the 2020 NRL season.
“It isn’t something that I’ve thought of, but it’s certainly something (that would be worthwhile),” Woolf said.
“In particular with Jason’s involvement, his standing within the team and within the Townsville community is very high, and it’s the same with the Polynesian community in general.
“I think once the new stadium is built, it is certainly something we can look at and think about down the track.
“One thing Townsville does is support rugby league, and I’m sure if we bring a full strength Tongan team against a tier one nation up here, you’d get great crowd support.”
Tonga only improved their hopes of being awarded a clash against Australia with a blistering showing against traditional rivals Samoa.
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has also thrown his weight behind the concept and fans have expressed a huge desire for the match to take place.
“I’m very confident it’s going to happen,” Woolf said.
“All the conversations I’ve had with the NRL, with the International Rugby League and certainly with Mal, who’s been a big supporter of it, everyone wants the game to happen.
“It’s just a matter of those making the decisions to make it happen. I keep getting told it’s heading in the right direction, and everyone’s really confident it will come through.
“I think the (performance against Samoa) really strengthened the need for it. Our first half performance was really good.
“I think we really showed our potential and our class in the first half, and showed that we deserve some opportunities against some higher calibre teams.
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“We also showed what the Tongan crowd are going to do (by providing outstanding atmosphere), not only in Australia, but also in New Zealand.”