Mate Ma’a Tonga forced to hit reset after Test hiatus

The long pause to international rugby league during the pandemic couldn’t have come at a worse time for Tonga, halting their progress months after beating the world champion Kangaroos for the first time.

What that squad, which beat both Great Britain and Australia in 2019, could have achieved in the past two and half years of inactivity will remain one of game’s great unknowns, with just five players from that victory over Australia remaining in the team named to play New Zealand on Saturday.

In addition to the new-look playing group, Mate Ma’a Tonga will be without coaching advisor Wayne Bennett, who was unable to travel due to non-COVID sickness.

North Queensland assistant Dean Young will lead the team in place of normal coach Kristian Woolf who has remained in England with his club side St Helens, and said he has relied on senior players this week to ensure the team culture is passed on to the nine international newcomers Tonga are set to field at Mount Smart Stadium.

“I can’t thank the leaders enough. They have been awesome at training, setting the standards and making sure all those young guys coming in and getting an opportunity know what playing for Tonga is all about,” Young said.

“Those nine guys that make their debut on Saturday will be ready to go and excited.

“The whole week has been about forming combinations…. because there are some new faces there.

“We started off slow in the week but will build up nicely.

“All the players are aware that there are spots up for grabs at the World Cup and that’s another bit of motivation for them.”

Captain Siosiua Taukeiaho said despite having new players and an acting head coach, the environment hasn’t changed much from the one which proved so successful for his side in the past.

“When we came in on Monday there was that bit of excitement from all of the boys and everyone was keen to come in,” Taukeiaho said.

“We have got heaps of young boys coming on board so what we have tried to do is continue that culture that we have.

“A lot of family stuff gets brought into camp as well as all the culture and what it means to play for the team.

“We had an awesome training session (Wednesday) and will find out how we go Saturday.”

Taukeiaho said the team had also discussed the role they can play in helping a nation still reeling from the devastating natural disaster which hit earlier this year and impacted a large portion of Tonga’s population.

“It means a lot (to see us play), especially for the people back at home, they look up to a lot of players here,” Taukeiaho said.

“We did a short video for them last night to send back to them and we said this game will be dedicated to them.”