Bring back mid-year Tests: Fisher-Harris makes call
Joel Gould |
New Zealand captain James Fisher-Harris wants a return to mid-season Tests to make the most of the burgeoning interest in the international game in the Pacific.
More than 38,000 fans turned up to watch the Kiwis beat Tonga 40-14 at Eden Park on Sunday in the Pacific Cup showdown.
That was a week after Samoa and Tonga drew 44,682 to Suncorp Stadium, the highest crowd in Australia for a Test not involving the Kangaroos since 1957.
Australia played New Zealand in the Anzac Test mid-season from 1997 until 2017.
The Pacific nations did play mid-year Tests on a semi-regular basis up until 2022. Fisher-Harris lined up for the Kiwis in a 26-6 win over Tonga on June 25 that year.
Since the inaugural Pacific Championships in 2023, Test matches in the Pacific rim have been an end-of-season affair.
Fisher-Harris does not want to have to wait until next year’s World Cup in October and November to play for the Kiwis once this year’s Pacific Championships conclude on November 9.
“I just think a mid-year Test around Origin would be perfect to split the year up because it is a long NRL season as it is,” he said.
“We want big crowds in the international game. I feel like it is getting better and better. We love it.
“(Eden Park) is probably one of the best stadiums in the world. The atmosphere was crazy.”
Kristian Woolf is well qualified to speak on the issue as both coach of a Tongan side that has played mid-year Tests under his guidance, and as NRL mentor of the Dolphins.
He said to bring in mid-season Tests again would have too much of an impact on the clubs and players.
“We have been down the mid-season Tests before. They are a real challenge for everyone, to be honest,” Woolf said.
“I sit with a foot in both camps. Adding games to calendars at the moment, I don’t think it can happen unless we play less games in club football.
“I can’t see that happening in the near future either. Mid-season games are challenging (for NRL coaches) and for international coaches putting teams together.
“They are challenging for the players who are playing 27 rounds and finals. The players need to break (up) the season. I understand Origin works (mid-season) and has for a long time.
“I think international football sits well where it is at the end of the season.
“At the moment there are a lot of good ideas, but not enough time for those good ideas to be put in place.”
Tonga co-captain Addin Fonua-Blake was asked how he felt about having to wait 11 months to play for Tonga again in next year’s World Cup in October.
After the 34-6 loss to Samoa last week and the defeat at the hands of the Kiwis, the Tongan prop conceded some players may not ever get the chance again.
“Some of our guys may not be in that squad next year, so it is probably a disappointment that some boys are going to go out like that,” he said.
“To get another chance in 11 months is a crazy thought. That is the message I want to drive next time if I hopefully get the chance again.
“These opportunities don’t come around all the time and you never know when your time is up.”
AAP
