Tonga have passed up the chance to stay in a five-star city hotel in favour of the old Rooty Hill RSL to be closer to the Pasifika community in western Sydney.
Coach Kristian Woolf was given the option of staying in Sydney, but opted for the comforts of the western Sydney venue, now rebadged as West HQ, so the players could connect with family and friends in the area.
The epic 25-24 victory over New Zealand on Saturday sparked wild scenes in the Tongan capital, Nuku’alofa, as the locals celebrated long into the night.
And Woolf wants to tap into that same spirit in Sydney this week as the Pacific nation looks to spring another international upset over Australia. The Tongans stunned Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos at Eden Park in 2019.
As Meninga’s Kangaroos spent the bulk of the week at the flashy Magenta Shores on the Central Coast – they will relocate to the city on Friday – and New Zealand opted for the Novotel in Brighton-Le-Sands, Woolf said the Tongans were more than content with their modest digs out west.
The NRL will pick up the accommodation bill for the Pacific Championships nations this week, providing several options across the greater Sydney region, despite some hotels being at capacity due to the four Coldplay concerts at Accor Stadium later in the week.
Tonga have passed on five-star luxury in the city for the comforts of Rooty Hill.Credit: Getty Images
“Staying here suits us for several reasons, including the fact a lot of our players’ families live out this way, which means they can go and see family, or family can come to us,” Woolf said.
“We also want to train around this area so our fans can have access to us. We’re planning on having an open training session at Blacktown. It just works better if we’re here. We’ve stayed here in the past, it’s a place we’re familiar with and a place we like.
“Nothing compares to those scenes you get like the ones on the weekend. Seeing all the red shirts and all the red flags at Mt Smart Stadium, you realise what it means to people.”
The 2021 census showed there were 12,260 Tongan-born people residing in Australia, including 5968 in the greater Sydney region.
The team also plan to hold one training session at Blacktown Patrician Brothers, the powerhouse league school that produced Panthers premiership winners – and proud Samoans – Jarome Luai and Spencer Leniu.
On Saturday, Tonga raced out to a 24-0 lead before the Kiwis hit back to level the score. Isaiya Katoa, a Glenmore Park local, then slotted the winning field-goal, with New Zealand botching two attempts in the final minutes.
Woolf loved the intent shown by his players from the opening whistle, in particular leaders Addin Fonua-Blake and Jason Taumalolo, and the composure shown by Katoa who “handled the game and build-up to the game exceptionally well”.
The only injury concern for Tonga is fullback Lehi Hopoate, who has a leg injury and could be replaced by Manly teammate Tolu Koula or Parramatta recruit Isaiah Iongi.