Run up to clash with Kiwis low key, but government boosts reward to Mate Ma’a Tonga

The level of support for the Mate Ma’a Tonga, both in Tonga and in Auckland, is not as intense as it was last year and the years before.

Tickets for this weekend’s clash with New Zealand Kiwis have not sold as fast as expected.

The parade and activities which have been organised so far to support Saturday’s match look like being low key affair.

It has been reported that fewer Tongan homes have been decorated ahead of the game.

While there appears to be no specific reason for this, some analysts believed the disarray within the Tonga National Rugby league could be responsible.

The Mate Ma’a Tonga is now being looked after by an interim board set up by the Supreme Court following a bitter and protracted dispute that has threatened to tear the NRL apart.

However, it has also been suggested that it would have been better to stage the game last year when New Zealand’s 2017 loss to Tonga was fresh in people’s minds.

There have also been argument that the Kiwi lost a great deal of local support because of their performance.

In the meantime, tickets for the game are still available and organisers are confident more than 20,000 will be old.

One block of seats will definitely be filled thank to Hynds Pipe system in East Tamaki which, for the third year in a row, is shouting it workers tickets to support the Mate Ma’a.,

Support

While Saturday’s game may not have aroused the passion that surrounded the game against Australia, the Mate Ma’a have won increased support from the Tongan government. 

Sports Minister Saia Piukala told Parliament this week the government would pay AUS$2,500 for each player who took to the field on Saturday.

He said the government normally paid $1000 for a player, but because of the high standard of performance  the team had achieved, the government has increased the amount.

Gutted

When Mate Ma’a Tonga take to the field they will do so without powerhouse Andrew Fifita, who has been given a three-match ban by the NRL’s judiciary committee for a dangerous tackle.

Fifita described himself a “absolutely gutted” that he could not play, but said “I can’t wait to see the red sea this weekend.”

While Fifita won’t be playing, the game offers Brisbane Broncos’ centre, Kotoni Staggs, a chance to play for Mate Ma’a Tonga for the first time.

Saturday’s match against the New Zealand Kiwis will kick off at 5.40pm.

The stadium gates open at 2pm.

The New Zealand women’s national rugby league team, Kiwi Ferns, will play Fetu Samoa, Samoa women’s national rugby league team at 3.10pm.

The main points

• The level of support for the Mate Ma’a Tonga, both in Tonga and in Auckland, is not as intense as it was last year and the years before.
• Tickets for this weekend’s clash with New Zealand Kiwis have not sold as fast as expected.
• Saturday’s match against the New Zealand Kiwis will kick off at 5.40pm.