NEWS TPJ chooses Tonga over Origin

[OXY-351]

He's probably got more chance of winning some games if he plays for Tonga.

 

[Super Freak]

The chances of him being selected in the next couple of years are pretty slim, anyway.

He has quite a few forwards ahead of him at the moment.

 

[Thelmus]

I think he is trying to be a straight shooter with the honesty he has shown, and how good is that to hear!
He could have played origin, then turned down kangaroo selection, but I would have found it duplicitous.
This way he everyone knows where he stands and plan accordingly. Tongans have a future captain and NSW can build as team with the clear understanding of where he stands

 

[theshed]

Sign this kid long term already. Favourite player.

 

[BroncsFan]

I think hes overshot the gun here - but its his own belief and hes speaking well and sounds focused.

Tonga being Tier 2 would still allow him to play origin? That's the way i understand it..So obviously its a moral choice of some kind - which would only be a moral choice against money, that still wouldn't affect his international rep career?

I think he says in the article that he is still eligible for NSW but it wouldn't feel right to him.

Also on 360 last night they said Tonga is playing a game on the same weekend as origin 2 which means IF he were selected for NSW he wouldn't be able to play for Tonga so that may be a little to do with it. There is also potential for more standalone origins and therefore more tier 2 nation tests on those same weekends. So the question to him may ultimately come down whether he wants to play for country or state.