Saturday, June 05, 2004
Tonga being tipped for rep honours
Another man of the match performance has seen former Eel Willie Tonga tipped for representative honours.
Willie Mason told tvnz.com.au that Tongaas "been the best centre in the NRL. Every centre he's played against this year he's played over."
Mason said Queensland selectors should be picking the 20 year old Tonga to play State of Origin this year.
Tonga was brought through the ranks of the Parramatta juniors before making a number of NRL appearances last year. However, having internationals David Vaeliki and Jamie Lyon in front of him, the centre defected to the Bulldogs where he thought he would have a better chance of playing in the top grade. Unfortunately for Parramatta Jamie Lyon walked out on his contract and David Vaeliki suffered a season-ending injury.
Had Tonga stayed he would have certainly have played a full year in first in Parramatta's NRL team.
Willie Mason told tvnz.com.au that Tongaas "been the best centre in the NRL. Every centre he's played against this year he's played over."
Mason said Queensland selectors should be picking the 20 year old Tonga to play State of Origin this year.
Tonga was brought through the ranks of the Parramatta juniors before making a number of NRL appearances last year. However, having internationals David Vaeliki and Jamie Lyon in front of him, the centre defected to the Bulldogs where he thought he would have a better chance of playing in the top grade. Unfortunately for Parramatta Jamie Lyon walked out on his contract and David Vaeliki suffered a season-ending injury.
Had Tonga stayed he would have certainly have played a full year in first in Parramatta's NRL team.
