Tonga vs Australia showdown in jeopardy of falling through says Kristian Woolf

IN a move that would be a major embarrassment for rugby league, the highly-anticipated Tonga-Australia Test match is in danger of being scrapped.

THIS should embarrass everyone who dined out on the success of last year’s Rugby League World Cup.

But Tongan coach Kristian Woolf has revealed hopes of playing Australia in a historic end-of-season Test has moved another dangerous step towards being slam-dunked into the game’s ever-growing “too hard basket”.

Woolf reluctantly concedes if the match is speared it might ultimately force superstars like Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita to walk away from their fight to grow the international game.

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With initial plans to stage it in Hawaii or on the United States mainland already torpedoed, the New Zealand Rugby League has now sensationally blocked a proposal to play the game in Auckland the week after the scheduled Test between the Kiwis and Kangaroos on October 13.

Woolf said the only way forward now will be if NRL boss Todd Greenberg takes up the fight to have it rescheduled for Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

Woolf fears the game may not happen. Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images.

“The New Zealand Rugby League wouldn’t have a bar of it unfortunately because they thought it would take the gloss off their own game in terms of crowd numbers,” Woolf said.

“I would assume there is a bit of angst because our game would probably pull a bigger crowd.

“Basically it is back to being in Brisbane or not at all. I am awaiting a phone call from Todd Greenberg actually to give me an indication.

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“But we are nine weeks away from October 20 and my concern is everyone is going to put their hands in the air and say, ‘sorry, we just don’t have the time to make it happen’.

“It might make some players reconsider their position, that is a fear.

“Sometimes you have to pretend it is not (a fear) for the sake of the players.”

Make no mistake, this game is looking increasingly unlikely to go ahead. Woolf said what makes it even more crucial for Tonga is that it will probably be the last chance to play Australia until the next World Cup in 2022.

Tonga must keep Jason Taumalolo. Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images.

The idea was first mooted after last year’s World Cup when Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga backed the idea to potentially play it in Hawaii.

But now it seems like it will end up another great opportunity lost, unless the NRL acts fast.

With the Kangaroos going through a rebuild following the representative retirement of Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk and most likely Billy Slater, Tonga would have a real shot at upsetting the Aussies.

Imagine what that would do for the credibility of the international game.

Woolf said many of his players made huge financial sacrifices to pledge their allegiance to Tonga.

Woolf’s frustrations extended to the Rugby League Players Association.

“The RLPA has been another roadblock and their concern has only been around the fact that Australia may have to take a pay cut to play against Tonga,” Woolf said.

“I have been involved for five years with Tonga and there has never been any concern (from the RLPA) about what sort of conditions the Tongan players play for.

“And I find that very disappointing.

Tonga needs regular games to keep their stars. Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images.

“If it does fall through, it is so easy to forget the sacrifices some of the players have made financially, particularly the ones that sacrificed State of Origin as well as playing for Australia and New Zealand.

“There are massive financial sacrifices that most people wouldn’t make but they have obviously made it because of their connection to the country and to their family.

“A big part is also wanting to invest in the international game.

“I just don’t feel like their sacrifice or what they did for the World Cup tournament is being rewarded.

“If they didn’t come to Tonga the World Cup would not have generated half the interest it did.”

RLPA chairman Clint Newton refuted Woolf’s suggestion the players’ union had abandoned the Pacific nations.

“Kristian’s comments are based on misinformation and he has been grossly misguided based on the fact that we haven’t been a roadblock,” Newton said.

“In fact, we have been working up until last week to try and work through this process.

“The RLPA has not been a barrier.

“As far as we are aware this concept has been thrown around but nothing concrete has ever been scheduled.”

Originally published as Tonga vs Australia showdown in jeopardy of falling through says Kristian Woolf