Tongan rugby union is looking to mimic the success of Mate Ma'a Tonga with a sudden injection of former All Blacks and Wallabies into its team.
Ex-Kiwi and Aussie players Israel Folau, Charles Piutau, Malakai Fekitoa, and Augustine Pulu were named in a team announcement by the country's rugby union on Friday.
Their eligibility was made possible by a World Rugby rule change, allowing players to switch between countries, so long as they're absent from international rugby for 36 months.
It marks a historic moment for Pacific Island countries which have long bemoaned the "poaching" of Pacific rugby players.
"It's going to make a difference", said Tonga's coach Toutai Kefu.
Malakai Fekitoa at the Rugby World Cup. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"With no disrespect to the players who have worn the jersey before, but the caliber of players coming through now is at a very high level so we are all looking forward to what they can do on the field and we have high expectations", Kefu added.
The new lineup of players may also be the beginning of more to come with the likes of George Moala, Sekope Kepu, Adam Coleman, and Vaea Fifita. All set to be eligible before the international end-of-year test matches.
Toutai Kefu prior to the All Blacks vs 'Ikale Tahi test in Hamilton in 2019. Photo: AFP
"I've already had conversations with them and they've shown a lot of interest. They qualify at the end of the year so will revisit those conversations. But you know moving forward into the rugby world cup next year, it looks like it could quite possibly be the best Tongan team ever", said Kefu.
"The end goal is for the Rugby world cup next year...that should be the point where we should be playing at a high level."
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
One of the most highly anticipated players is former Wallaby superstar Israel Folau, who has been the center of controversy since 2019 when he fell out with Rugby Australia. Folau has been accused of being homophobic by many including several rugby commentators.
The allegations and controversy have followed Folau like a dark cloud. His one-year stint with the Catalan Dragons in Northern Hemisphere's Betfred Super League competition provoked a significant media and public backlash, forcing the tournament owners to release a statement denouncing homophobia.
Toutai Kefu has been supportive of Folau from the beginning and said he doesn't anticipate a backlash against Tonga.
"There's politics in every sport and terms of Israel's situation", said Kefu.
"I don't expect there any backlash, but if there is, we'll deal with it and cross that bridge when it comes."
Samoa
Manu Samoa is expected to name its team next week, and there's high anticipation.
In a Moana Pasifika press conference ahead of their final super rugby game against the ACT Brumbies, former Wallaby Christian Lealiifano who has expressed interest in playing for Samoa pending his availability shared Kefu's sentiment.
"We we're in Brisbane and we saw Toutai Kefu and he's just excited", said Lealiifano.
"There's a lot of excitement around those teams, the 'Ikale Tahi and Manu Samoa, just excited for the players available to them. It's really exciting for the Pacific Island Nations", he added.
