Tongan coach Kristian Woolf urges supporters to ignore boycott calls

Head Coach for the Tonga Kau To'a team Kristian Woolf is calling on supporters to ignore calls to boycott Saturday's game against the Great Britain Lions in Hamilton.

Speaking to Pacific Breakfast, Woolf said: "I know there's been some calls for people not to turn up and I would ask people to reconsider that.

"If you go back to what these players have done for Tonga and the sacrifices they've made. In doing so, what they've done for the country of Tonga and its profile has been outstanding and the way it has united people has been something very special to watch.

"I'd say to everyone to come down and support these men, They're a very special group of men. and the Tongan population should be very very proud of them."

Tongan rugby league has been in turmoil for weeks after Woolf was originally sacked by the Tonga National Rugby League.

However, the global governing body, International Rugby League, suspended the TNRL after threats of a player boycott in support of Woolf.

That prompted the Tongan Supreme Court to rule that the Tonga National Rugby League was the only authority able to operate and control the official national representative side, Mate Ma'a Tonga.

Looking ahead to Saturday's game, Woolf acknowledged the strength of the GB Lions.

However, he said his "Invitational XIII" had prepared well and would step up to the challenge.

"We've had a good couple of sessions in Hamilton. It's always good to be there as everything is so nice and close, such good facilities.

"England and Australia are going to be a really big challenge. It's a massive challenge for us and it's something that Tier 2 nations like Tonga haven't been given in the past.

"In terms of our chances I rate our chances. We've prepared well. it's going to be a very tough game."

Woolf also praised the decisions of some players to play for Tonga rather than other international sides.

"Guys like Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita have been at the forefront of that. They're the first to make that decision to play for a Tier 2 nation and what they've sacrificed to do that.

"It's not just the finances, it's the facilities, the resources these nations enjoy. We're always trying to catch up and we're getting better and better.

"The playing field is becoming more even but we've still got a long way to go."

Tonga Invitational XIII:

1. Will Hopoate, 2. David Fusitu'a, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Kotoni Staggs, 5. Daniel Tupou, 6. Tuimoala Lolohea, 7. Ata Hingano, 8. Andrew Fifita, 9. Siliva Havili, 10. Sio Siua Taukeiaho (co-captain), 11. Ben Murdoch-Masila, 12. Manu Ma'u, 13. Jason Taumalolo (co-captain).

Interchange: Sione Katoa, Addin Fonua-Blake, John Asiata, Sitili Tupouniua, Junior Tatola, Konrad Hurrell, Tesi Niu.

Great Britain Lions:

1. Lachlan Coote, 2. Jermaine McGillvary, 3. Zak Hardaker, 4. Oliver Gildart, 5. Ryan Hall, 6. Gareth Widdop, 7. Jackson Hastings, 8. Chris Hill, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Luke Thompson, 11. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. James Graham (c). Interchange: Josh Jones, Tom Burgess, Jonny Lomax, Alex Walmsley, Jake Connor, Jack Hughes, George Williams, Daryl Clark.

The invitational XIII will play Great Britain on 26 October in Hamilton and Australia on 2 November in Auckland.