'Write our own story': Tonga ready to challenge top tier rivals

Tonga coach Kristian Woolf is hoping to see the famous sea of red descend upon Suncorp Stadium next month when his side face off against Australia to open this year’s men’s Pacific Championships.

With his recent reappointment to the role ahead of the tournament, Woolf will continue his involvement with the side for an 11th season and he is pleased for Tonga to be given the “great opportunity” to play the Kangaroos and Kiwis.

“If we go back only a few years ago, we were always crying out for more opportunities and more meaningful games and the opportunity to play against the bigger nations as well," Woolf said.

“We’ve only played Australia twice - in New Zealand in 2018 and 2019, and 2018 was the first time ever."

Tonga will meet the World Cup champions in the opening match of the tournament at Suncorp Stadium on October 18 before travelling to New Zealand to face last year's Pacific Cup winners at Go Media Stadium on November 2.

“There’s a couple of real firsts there, being able to play Australia on Australian soil; we haven’t played a Test in Brisbane in my time involved," Woolf said.

“I just know that it’s a big game and to be able to open the tournament, those things make it really exciting for the players.

“There is no bigger challenge and there's no more exciting challenge for the players than to play the world champions, it’s a great way to start.”

While Tonga may have only faced off against the Kangaroos twice, their last meeting in 2019 was another historic occasion for the nation, with the Jason Taumalolo-led side claiming a 16-12 victory at Eden Park.

“It a massive achievement for that group of players at the time and it was just such a big achievement in so many ways - what they did on the field, the way they went about their work," Woolf said.

"I have great memories of the reception of the players and staff when we went back to Tonga, it was an amazing experience and an amazing thing to be a part of.

“That was in 2019, it's a long time ago now. We have transitioned a fair bit as a team and a lot of those guys who were at the forefront of that are no longer playing in the NRL and are no longer playing for Tonga.

“But this group who are going to represent Tonga this time are going to get opportunity to write their own story and make their own memories.

“I have no doubt Australia will probably reflect on that [loss] and that will add a little bit to the occasion, but it's going to be two very different teams to what it was in 2019, but the challenge from their point of view is certainly going to be the same.”

After opening the tournament on October 18, Tonga face off against New Zealand in Auckland, with Woolf happy to see his side play in both countries.

“We haven’t had too many opportunities since 2019 to play in front of all the Tonga fans and the Tonga people who are around in Australia and New Zealand,” Woolf said.

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“I am sure there will be a really big and boisterous crowd at the game in Brisbane as there are a lot of Tongans around the south-east corner and we can’t wait to get back over to Auckland with the sea of red and all the fans.

“I think there will be a big following in Brisbane and there will be plenty of supporters there for both teams … but looking forward to the red.”

For Woolf, the inclusion of Tonga in the Pacific Championships is another key milestone in the development and promotion of the game in Tonga, with players aspiring to pull on a red jersey.

“My first year was 2014 … [and] it’s been great to be part of that journey with a lot of other people and a lot of players,” Woolf said.

“I remember my first involvement, one of the things that made me want to continue being involved was the excitement of what you are seeing, the pride the players had in playing for Tonga and pulling on the Tonga jersey.

“I guess what made it exciting was the potential you were seeing there as well that just wasn’t being harnessed. It’s great to see what it has become and it’s great to see.

“The fact that all the best Tongan players now want to be part of Tonga above other nations, that is something to be really proud of.”