Mate Ma’a Tonga player David Fusitu’a’s father said he was happy that about half of Tonga’s National Rugby League team were players from the Tongan-based New Zealand HakulÄ League club.
Speaking exclusively to Kaniva news in South Auckland recently, Edwin said they did not expect the effort and support they gave for the HakulÄ club would one day end in having a key role in Tonga’s international rugby league competitions.
He described the move as a seed they sowed that became fruitful.
Edwin Fusitu’a said the players mostly grew up in New Zealand and it was a matter of pride for them to wear the Mate Ma’a Tonga red jerseys.
He said Tongan parents wanted their children to join HakulÄ with the intention of them having a chance to play for the Kiwi Rugby League.
Edwin said his son played for HakulÄ in 2011 as an under 11 year old player while Tu’imoala Lolohea was under 10.
Other HakulÄ players at the time included Mafoa’aeata Hingano, who was under nine and Siliva Havili and Jason TaumÄlolo, who were under 12.
Siua Taukei’aho and Ben Murdoch MÄsila were also at HakulÄ.
He said there was no intention for these players at HakulÄ to represent Tonga.
“I mean that’s how we normally do it here in New Zealand,†Edwin said.
“If you have the talent to play rugby union your goal is that one day you play for the  All Blacks.
“It was the same idea when it came to HakulÄ.â€
Most of the players at HakulÄ played for Kiwi.
“Somewhere along the line the seed that we sowed at HakulÄ changed and our children chose to play for Tonga,†he said.
Edwin said he and other parents were happy that HakulÄ had become a useful tool for Mate Ma’a Tonga.
Before the 2017 Rugby World Cup TaumÄlolo dropped a selection bombshell only three weeks from the start of the tournament by choosing to play for Tonga instead of New Zealand.
Three other players who joined TaumÄlolo were David Fusitu’a, Siosiua Taukeiaho and Manu Ma’u.
These players began their rugby league career at HakulÄ.
TaumÄlolo’s  move caused a heated debate in the rugby league world, especially among Kiwi supporters.
At the time TaumÄlolo released a statement saying it was out of a desire to help the development of Tongan rugby league.
“I really enjoyed my time within the Tongan World Cup squad last time and have had a long time association with Tongan Coach Kristian Woolf,” TaumÄlolo said.
The main points
- Mate Ma’a Tonga player David Fusitu’a’s father said he was happy that about half of Tonga’s National Rugby League team were players from the Tongan-based New Zealand HakulÄ League club.
- He described the move as a seed they sowed that became fruitful.
For more informationÂ
“Outstanding†says Tongan rugby coach as top players line up for kingdom
