By Dan Walsh
Kristian Woolf thought what is arguably the single most influential phone call in international rugby league was a drunken prank.
At the time, Jason Taumalolo had no idea what he had started. And only now, seven years after his stunning decision to represent Tonga at the 2017 World Cup, is the impact truly dawning on the figure Mal Meninga describes as a footballing “pioneer”.
Taumalolo is the last of five players whose decision to play for the island nation at the peak of their powers over heavyweights New Zealand and Australia under Woolf – the others were Andrew Fifita, Siosiua Taukeiaho, David Fusitu’a and Manu Ma’u – shocked the game.
Sunday’s Pacific Championships final against the Kangaroos is expected to be Woolf’s last in charge of Tonga before he takes up head coaching duties at the Dolphins next season.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo is hopeful the clash at Commbank Stadium will attract a 30,000-sellout crowd, thanks to the Tongan community ignited by Taumalolo and his teammates.
Tuesday’s open training session in front of roughly 1000 singing, dancing and jubilant fans drove home exactly what the Cowboys’ million-dollar man started all those years ago.
Jason Taumalolo’s decision to represent Tonga helped ignite one of rugby league’s most passionate fan bases.Credit: Getty Images
“I’d known Kristian for a long time and I promised him that I would come back, but not as an old player who wasn’t getting picked for New Zealand,” Taumalolo recalled.
“I made the decision when I was playing pretty good football that I’d go back and represent Tonga and … I’m pretty sure [Woolf] thought I was taking the piss when I did tell him.
“Looking back it was a pretty funny conversation because I did come off a mad Monday, and he thought that I was still tipsy. But I told him, ‘No, I’m sober’. Obviously I talked to a few other boys, and the rest is history.”
What truly spells out the impact his call had for Taumalolo is the rise of Tonga’s next generation.
Tongan fans were out in force in Blacktown on Tuesday.Credit: Rhett Wyman
Twenty-year-old halfback Isaiya Katoa will steer Sunday’s side alongside star back-rowers Haumole Olakau’atu and Elise Katoa, while young outside backs Tolu Koula and Isaiah Iongi are still waiting in the wings.
Taumalolo’s own future – with another three seasons to run on his landmark 10-year, $10 million deal with North Queensland – has been under the microscope over the past 18 months as he battled a knee issue.
Now 31, Taumalolo knocked back interest from Japanese rugby and Super League outfit Catalans this year, vowing he will remain a Cowboy for life.
Representing Tonga is a “bonus” on top of his duties at North Queensland, and he spoke in “ifs”, not “whens”, about playing for Tonga in the future given he sees a slew of emerging young forwards potentially keeping him out of the side.
Taumalolo was at his imperious best against New Zealand.Credit: Getty Images
His stunning performance against New Zealand last Saturday – running for almost 200 metres – says otherwise.
Australian coach Meninga said Taumalolo’s 2017 call was pivotal in opening international rugby league up beyond traditional heavyweights Australia, New Zealand and England, with Tonga lapping up their fan support accordingly on Tuesday.
“Looking back at it now, it’s one of the biggest decisions that I’ve made in my career,” Taumalolo said.
“It’s one that I’m grateful for and I’m grateful the other guys did to play for Tonga too.
“To fast-forward seven years now and see the effect it has on international football, I can’t take all the credit because there’s other players that made the decision to change, too.
“There’s moments where it’s a bit surreal. I always look at those ‘How good is this?’ moments and for now we’re just going to embrace it and enjoy the support that we’ve got”.
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