England urged to join RL’s Pacific Championship, despite 10,000-mile gap
TUI LOLOHEA has told England to join the Pacific party that has transformed international rugby league.
Shaun Wane’s side is very much the outsider as seven nations 10,000 miles or more away can take each other on annually.
At the moment the ‘odd one out’ from the three-team Championship and Bowl – this year Samoa, next year Australia – travels to tour on these shores.
Huddersfield star Lolohea was part of a Tonga side that stunned New Zealand on their home patch and pushed Australia in the Pacific Championship final.
And he believes England should link up and make it eight, even if it is every other year or once every four.
For the benefits those competitions have brought to the Test game are huge.
Lolohea said: “I’d love it for England to play in the Pacific Championship.
“Even if it’s something like the Six Nations, so six of the better teams compete against each other.
MOST READ IN RUGBY LEAGUE
“Yes, that would take time but look at rugby union. There are so many international games throughout the year and if we could get something like that going.
“There are two pools now with the Championship and the Bowl, you could make it two lots of four for a year – you’ve just got to grow the game.
“Hopefully, they can travel to Australia a bit more and play in some of those games.
“One thing I did notice, for sure, was the difference in conditions. In Australia, it’s hot and it’s a different feeling.
“It would be good for England to travel there and play in one of those campaigns to pit themselves against the best teams in the world.”
Lolohea, 29, made more history as Tonga booked a place in the Pacific Championship final by beating New Zealand 25-24.
That has given rise to talk of setting up a State of Origin-like series between the two and he believes the islanders, who have seen many stars commit to them rather than the Kiwis, believes they can challenge.
He added: “Playing for Tonga was amazing and with the position we’re in now, we’re getting the chance to not just play against the best teams in the world but give ourselves a chance to win.
“10 years ago, there would’ve been no chance of this happening. Now we can compete with these guys.
“It’s the pinnacle of the game. It’s what every single player dreams to do and the way we beat New Zealand was crazy.”