Tui Lolohea has All Stars idea to overcome Rugby League World Cup postponement
TUI Lolohea has an idea that could further rescue international rugby league in the northern hemisphere after the World Cup postponement.
The Tonga star believes he and his Test colleagues could join up with the best of Samoa, Fiji, Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea to face a home nation.
Australia and New Zealand’s withdrawal – and NRL clubs’ reluctance to release players from other nations - scuppered hopes of the tournament being staged this year.
England hope to set up at least one match against France, while Jamaica want to set up one against Scotland.
But Salford ace Lolohea feels now he and his Pacific brethren are stuck on the other side of the world, they may as well play.
The New Zealand-born star said: “It’s probably a long shot but it would be a good thing if you got a Pacific All Stars team to play against say Scotland or Ireland.
“It’s disappointing the World Cup is off but it’s understandable. It also means another year over here – it would be nice to get home.
“Tonga could do with Australia and New Zealand coming in order to get the best out of ourselves. We play better against the big teams, playing a top nation means you’ve got to be at your best. When we get that opportunity, we’ll take it with both hands.”
Lolohea is asking questions as Covid-19 ravages Super League. Am I playing this week and if so, where?
As well as stand-off, he has recently found himself at full-back for the Red Devils, but victory over leaders Catalans would get over the embarrassment of being the first team to lose to Leigh.
And fuming boss Richard Marshall, who has only had one training session since, demanded a response, saying: “Our general attitude towards that game wasn’t good enough.
“Our egos were dented with our performance and discipline. Leigh were more desperate than us, which hurts. I expect a response.”
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