Australia coach Mal Meninga backs post-season showdown with Tonga at Suncorp Stadium

AUSTRALIAN coach Mal Meninga has backed a Kangaroos showdown with rising Test footy force Tonga at Suncorp Stadium at season’s end.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — JUNE 23: Junior Tatola of Tonga celebrates with teammates after scoring a try during the 2018 Pacific Test Invitational match between Tonga and Samoa at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on June 23, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

KANGAROOS coach Mal Meninga has backed plans for an Australia-Tonga Test in Brisbane as Suncorp Stadium emerges as a possible venue to host the code’s newest international powerhouse.

TIPS: Who to choose in Round 16?

REVIEW: Did Sangster give the good oil?

The Courier-Mail can reveal Meninga and NRL boss Todd Greenberg held talks about a Kangaroos-Tonga showdown in the wake of the brilliant Pacific Test at Campbelltown last Friday night.

Suncorp Stadium general manager Alan Graham confirmed he is in negotiations with the NRL to stage an Australia-Tonga Test match at the home of Queensland rugby league.

Tonga have fast become a Test footy powerhouse. Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images.

However, the NRL is exploring a range of options, including venues in New Zealand to capitalise on the huge Tongan supporter base which flocked to Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium for last year’s World Cup semi-final.

The Kangaroos are already scheduled to play one Test this year against the Kiwis in New Zealand on October 13.

Talks are now underway for Australia to play another international against Tonga — either before or after the trans-Tasman Test — with Meninga keen for the NRL to consider Suncorp Stadium.

“We are trying to get a game against Tonga,” Meninga said. “I believe Suncorp would be a great option.”

Could Tonga take down Australia? Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images.

Greenberg was blown away by the red-coloured sea of support for Tonga in their 38-22 defeat of Samoa at Campbelltown and is keen for the World Cup semi-finalists to play more Test matches.

Playing an Australia-Tonga Test in New Zealand would make logistic sense, given the Kangaroos will already cross the ditch to face the Kiwis after the NRL grand final.

But Graham remains hopeful Suncorp will be considered for a Test that could pit Tongan firebrands Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita against Kangaroos duo Greg Inglis and Boyd Cordner.

“From the stadium’s point of view, we strongly support the development of the game in the Pacific. It would be great to see a Tonga Test at Suncorp Stadium,” Graham said.

Tonga blew Samoa away at Campbelltown. Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images.

“The atmosphere at Campbelltown last week against Samoa was phenomenal. The crowd was so well behaved and it would be great to see that sort of colour and football with an Australia-Tonga Test at Suncorp.”

Former Australian fullback Gary Belcher urged the NRL to bring international football to Brisbane.

“I’d love to see a Tonga-Australia Test at Suncorp,” he said.

“Tonga need more games and we need to keep pushing them as an international force.

“There’s a fair Polynesian population in Brisbane, so it would be massive seeing an Australia-Tonga Test.”

LIVE stream every game of every round of the 2018 NRL Telstra Premiership on FOX SPORTS. Get your free two-week Foxtel Now trial and start watching in minutes.

Originally published as Australia coach Mal Meninga backs post-season showdown with Tonga at Suncorp Stadium