Tonga XIII perform The Sipi Tau. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
"Just play footy".
That is the message Tonga XIII head coach Kristian Woolf has given his warriors as they prepare to meet the champion Australian Kangaroos in Sydney on Sunday.
It's Pacific Cup final time.
Unlike last year, the Kangaroos now face the side better known as Mate Ma'a Tonga (MMT), which, when loosely translated, means 'Die for Tonga'.
That follows the Tongans upset 25-24 win over the New Zealand Kiwis at Mount Smart Stadium last Saturday.
As the Tongans prepare for the final, the Kiwis have been pushed into the promotion-relegation clash against the Papua New Guinea Kumuls.
News out of Sydney confirms that the MMT have opted to stay at Rooty Hill in Western Sydney - a decision fuelled by community, culture, and connection.
Woolf has opted for the location, close to the Pasifika community, who are expected to pack CommBank Stadium.
The Tongans are training at local fields, inviting fans to watch their preparations up close.
As they prepare for a second shot at the Kangaroos in three weeks, Woolf is aware that they are the underdogs.
But with a whole nation and thousands of other fans behind them, he is confident they can live up to the standard needed.
"Just play footy," he has told the players.
It's a simple message, but one that means so much more.
Paul Alamoti of Tonga celebrates after Tonga defeat the Kiwis. New Zealand Kiwis v Tonga XIII 2024 Pacific Championships. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
NRL Media said Tonga and Australia have met just three times previously (all since 2018), with Tonga winning in 2019 when Jason Taumalolo led his team to a 16-12 triumph at Eden Park.
Despite the 18-0 loss in their most recent encounter three weeks ago, Woolf said his side had learned a lot.
"We knew we had a good performance against Australia. We took a lot of confidence out of that," Woolf told NRL Media.
"We didn't quite ice a couple of opportunities that we did create against Australia and we knew that if we executed those and made the most of those, we would be right in the contest. That's been our conversation all week."
Taumalolo wound the clock back to carry the ball 198 metres from 20 runs as Tonga's forwards overpowered their New Zealand's highly-fancied pack and that will be their tactic against Australia too.
Tonga captain Jason Taumalolo charges ahead during the Pacific Championship match against the Kiwis at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Fellow prop Addin Fonua-Blake was Tonga's best against the Kiwis, running 224 metres with the ball, but he was ably supported by the likes of Felise Kaufusi, Eli Katoa, Siua Wong, Siliva Havili and Taumalolo.
In a bonus for Tonga, star forward Keaon Koloamatangi is expected back for the final after missing the match against New Zealand to be with his partner for the birth of their child in Sydney.
"I know what it means to these guys…and I've got no doubt they'll be up for next week as well," Woolf said.
"They're a group of men that just keep giving. I couldn't be prouder of my involvement with them and being associated with them because they just keep giving and they're outstanding to be a part of.
"All of our players are known for how physical they can play and how they can carry the ball. That's what they showed in the first half and that's us at our best so it's obviously something I want to encourage us to do."
Woolf had special praise for 20-year-old playmaker Isaiya Katoa, who fielded the winning kick against the Kiwis last weekend.
He said while Katoa had an off night against the Kangaroos in the opening match of the Pacific Championships, he responded in style against the Kiwis.
"The really good thing about last week is that he was seeing the opportunities, he didn't quite execute some of those opportunities," Woolf said.
"Not all halves can see what he can see and it's OK to get it wrong sometimes. That's human nature and what your best players do is they learn from that and they get it right the next week. That's what he's done."
Lindsay Collins of Australia breaks clear against the Kiwis. Photo: photosport
Meanwhile, the Kangaroos said they will not want to be intimidated by the Tongan forwards.
They told NRL Media they will not be "bullied" by Tonga's powerhouse pack.
The Kangaroos progressed to the Final after wins over Tonga (18-0) and defending champions New Zealand (22-10) in the round robin stage, while Tonga's incredible one-point upset over the Kiwis has them on the verge of history.
North Queensland tough man and Taumalolo's team-mate Reuben Cotter said they expect Tonga to employ a similar power game they showed against the Kiwis.
But he said the Kangaroos believe they could win the forward battle.
"They have got some great players, obviously Jason, and AFB as well. It is going to be a tough job this weekend," Cotter told reporters at Kangaroos training on the Central Coast.
"You have got to give them their credit, they have been playing great footy and we would expect nothing less this weekend.
"They are hard to tackle; they are big boys and you have got to throw everything at them. It will be a tough game and it will be won through the middle, I reckon, so there is going to be a big focus on our defence.
"Playing in the middle you have to be physical, and you have to come out with that intent, otherwise you just get bullied. We will be coming out physical. We have just got to go hell for leather."
The Cowboys co-captain also praised Fonua-Blake, who scored a try and carried the ball for 224 metres in a performance that confirmed the Sharks 2025 recruit as arguably the best prop in the game.
"He has had a big year, he has been playing great at club level [for the Warriors] and in the Pacific tournament he has played great, as well, so he is capping off a great year," Cotter said of Fonua-Blake.
The clash will be the final of the day at the CommBank Stadium.
The blockbuster quadruple-header will bring together fans from right across the Pacific region with Australia, Tonga, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Samoa all set to feature in the biggest day of international Rugby League ever staged on Australian soil.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said the stage is set for an historic day of international Rugby League.
"The Pacific Championships is becoming the biggest international sporting event in the region," Abdo said.
"The Final not only features four high stakes Test matches, but it will be a celebration of Pacific culture, bringing together fans from five different nations to create a festival atmosphere that has never been seen before in our game.
"It is the perfect opportunity for fans to experience something entirely new as well as seeing the best players in our game representing their country on the international stage."
