Jason Taumalolo believes there is still hope that sacked coach Kristin Woolf will be reinstated and the Mate Ma’a playing again.
As Kaniva news reported at the time the Mate Ma’a complained to the late Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva, saying they were dissatisfied with the interim National Rugby League Board.
They also complained to the Australia National Rugby League.
The team’s complaints triggered calls from the public to return Deputy Prime Minister Semisi Sika to the League’s management.
Tonga’s new Rugby League board dismissed Woolf by e-mail.
He has since become coach of UK Super League club St Helen.
The Tongan players are fiercely loyal to Woolf, who played an integral role in turning Tonga into a team that has made tier one teams sit up and take notice.
Taumalolo told AAP he was prepared to retire from international football if the dispute over Woolf’s sacking cannot be resolved.
“I’m sticking solid with the red and white and if that doesn’t work I guess I might have to retire [from] international football,” Taumalolo said.
“Hopefully it doesn’t come to that… I’d still love to play for Tonga and play alongside some of the great players that have represented in the last few years.
“But if that doesn’t work out and we can’t come to an agreement, I’ll eventually retire from international football.”
Cronulla’s Andrew Fifita and Taumalolo have spearheaded a revolt by the Mate Ma’a team, saying they will not take part in next month’s World Cup Nines and the end of year tests against Great Britain and Australia.
The former Kiwis star and Cronulla’s Andrew Fifita have led a Tongan player revolt, threatening to boycott next month’s World Cup Nines and the end of year tests against Great Britain and Australia after coach Kristian Woolf was sacked.
The team want Rugby League chairman George Koloamatangi and secretary William Edwards removed and Woolf brought back.
The NRL board appointed Frank Endacott to replace Woolf.
Endacott has not coached at the elite level in 15 years, but has previously been in charge of the Kiwis, Warriors and Wigan.
https://kanivatonga.co.nz/2019/09/andrew-fifita-lodges-complaints-against-interim-national-league-board-players-threatened-to-pull-out-of-mate-maa-tonga/
