Tonga Test gives a glimpse of huge potential for the global game
21 October 2018 05:00
Viewed : 0
The sea of red at Mt Smart Stadium for the Tonga and Australia game proves more matches between the two are needed Tonga’s population is 109,000 while there are an estimated 80,000 people of Tongan heritage in Australia and New Zealand. According to a 2010 census, there are another 60,000 Tongans in the United States. Extrapolate these numbers to suit your premise and it means a little under 15 per cent of all Tongans in the Southern Hemisphere were at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland on Saturday night.That a sold-out crowd of 26,214 would turn out and sing all night and create such an occasion must give rugby league internationalists belief. We built it and they came. And while Australia won the first international fixture between these nations 34-16, it was rugby league, as they have been known to say, that was the winner. It’s also clear Tonga deserve better than “second-tier” status. Related: Sportwatch: Kangaroos v Tonga, Best Solution wins Caulfield Cup – as it happened Related: Zak Hardaker to enter rehab after drink-driving conviction but staying at Wigan Related: Rugby league: Australia looked like they were enjoying the off-season, but Kiwis were pumped Continue readingread full article
