Solomone Kata and Tuimoala Lolohea have turned their backs on New Zealand in a massive boost to Tonga’s Rugby League World Cup hopes —— and Michael Jennings is also set to pledge his allegiances to the Mata Ma’a.
Lolohea and Kata, who have both previously played for the Kiwis, announced they had opted to play for Tonga at the World Cup, while Jennings — a member of Australia’s 2013 World Cup winning squad —— will choose the Mata Ma’a over Fiji.
“I’m just passionate about my little country and there are not many chances to play for Tonga so I have had the World Cup in the back of my mind,” Lolohea told Radio Sport.
“We don’t play for money, we play for the pride of the jersey and our families back in the islands. That is how passionate we are about representing Tonga.
“I represented New Zealand two years and I wasn’t eligible to play for Tonga but they changed the rules so it’s happy days for me. I get another opportunity and I think the World Cup is going to be awesome.”
Despite playing five Tests for the Kiwis last year, Tonga-born Kata told the New Zealand Herald: “I want to play for Tonga — I just know that is what I want to do. I want to play a World Cup for my country, to represent my family”.
Jennings, who is eligible for Fiji through his father, rejected approaches to play for the Bati and said he was also looking forward to representing Tonga.
“My eyes are set for Tonga if I don’t get the opportunity to play for Australia,” Jennings told The Fiji Times.
“My first preference is Australia, then Tonga.”
With Titans centre Konrad Hurrell also likely to be available, Tonga coach Kristian Woolf’s biggest problem could be finding a position for the trio in the outside backs as he already has Will Hopoate, Manu Vatuvei, Daniel Tupou at his disposal.
“My gut feel is that Konrad would prefer to play for Tonga (over New Zealand),” Woolf said.
