Blindside: Jason Taumalolo backs united Tonga to put world on notice
Tongan rugby league proves they’re back in a big way, Canberra poach Brisbane’s son of a gun and a Burleigh Bears trio generate interest after grand final heroics.
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Tonga have put their recent troubles behind them to name an imposing full-strength squad to play Great Britain and Australia at the end of the month.
Broncos trio Joe Ofahengaue, Tevita Pangai Jr and Kotoni Staggs have been named to play for the Tongan Invitational XIII alongside Cowboys Jason Taumalolo and John Asiata.
Unsurprisingly, Israel Folau – who had initially been named by the Tongan National Rugby League – was not picked.
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It comes after a dispute erupted between players and the Pacific Island nation’s former governing board following the sacking of head coach Kristian Woolf.
The Rugby League International Federation intervened last month, disbanded the TNRL and established in its place the Tonga Ma’a Tonga Rugby League to run the game.
Woolf has returned and named a full-strength squad to spearhead their international campaign in New Zealand in a fortnight’s time.
Taumalolo said he was glad the dispute had been cleared up and they could get back to focusing on playing football.
“The players are happy and relieved that this matter has been resolved and we can focus on what we need to do – play the best footy we can for our families and our people,” Taumalolo said.
“I’m excited to be getting back into camp with my teammates now we have certainty that we will be playing these two Test matches.
“We are pumped and focused on these two major games and have plenty of motivation to play our best.
“So I just want to say to our Tongan fans - thank you for sticking by us. We love you and can’t wait to put on our jersey and do you proud.
“You are truly the best fans in the world, and we are very grateful for your patience. We can’t wait to witness the ‘sea of red’ back again in Hamilton, and let’s show the world we can fill up Eden Park.”
COACHING RETURN
Former Titans head mentor John Cartwright is tipped to make a return to coaching on the Gold Coast.
Cartwright, 54, looks set to take up the coaching gig at the Burleigh Bears next season following the departure of premiership-winning coach Jim Lenihan.
The Bears have been one of the most successful Intrust Super Cup clubs in recent years, having won the competition twice in the past four seasons with Lenihan at the helm.
The Titans announced this week that Lenihan will be joining their new-look coaching staff for the next three seasons, as an assistant to Justin Holbrook and senior assistant Jim Dymock.
Lenihan’s departure from the Bears has opened the door for Cartwright to return to a coaching role.
Cartwright was the Titans inaugural head coach before standing down in 2014.
He was an assistant coach at the Cowboys in 2015 when the club won their maiden NRL premiership title.
BIG LEAGUE BEARS
Several NRL clubs have begun circling this year’s premiership-winning Burleigh Bears squad.
Five-eighth Dylan Phythian and winger Tyronne Roberts-Davis have attracted interest from NRL clubs while halfback Jamal Fogarty has also turned a few heads.
Fogarty admitted after the Bears’ heartbreaking loss to Newtown Jets in the NRL State Championship game on Sunday that he believed he had improved his game to make it in the NRL.
“To be honest, I haven’t really spoken to my manager about that,” Fogarty said.
“If something comes up, my manager will let me know and we can chat about it then.
“I definitely think my game is more consistent and a bit more complete. My game management is a lot better than it was 12 months ago.
“My defence has come along in leaps and bounds as well.”
Fogarty has played two NRL games for the Titans in 2017 and was awarded the Petero Civoniceva Medal for being the Intrust Super Cup’s best player of the season.
SON OF A GUN
The Canberra Raiders have snared the signature of 18-year-old Josh Allen – the son of former Maroons and Broncos great Gavin Allen.
The younger Allen has moved down to the nation’s capital this year in his bid to play in the NRL and has been a standout playing for the Gungahlin Bulls.
His dad said he couldn’t be more proud of his son for following in his footsteps to play rugby league.
KAHU’S CAR ROO
Former Cowboys and Broncos back Jordan Kahu had a scare driving from Townsville to the Gold Coast this week.
The 28-year-old New Zealander was travelling with his wife and kids from their home in North Queensland to the southeast corner when a kangaroo jumped in front of his car early Thursday morning.
Thankfully no one (except for the roo) was hurt in the accident, however it did cause serious damage to the front of Kahu’s family car.
He took to social media on Thursday to explain the situation while the family had to make an emergency pit stop in the glorious Queensland town of Clermont.
Kahu played 19 games for North Queensland this season before knocking back a deal to renew his contract next year.
He has spoken previously that he is open to code-hopping over to rugby union but is yet to make any formal announcement on his future.
BEST STUFF UP
Titans skipper Ryan James has acknowledged his stuff up during Sunday’s NRL grand final, describing it as “the best stuff up of all time”.
James was literally lost for words through delivering his acknowledgement of country at ANZ Stadium on Sunday, which left him to utter the words “I’m lost” to the amusement of all watching.
The 28-year-old was complimented for the way he conducted himself at the time and told NRL.com everyone had been supportive.
Originally published as Blindside: Jason Taumalolo backs united Tonga to put world on notice
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