Tyson Frizell knows as well as anyone how fired up Tonga will be for revenge in Saturday’s Test against Australia.
And that’s before you even worry about them being fuelled by their off-field issues.
Eligible to play for Tonga through his mother’s heritage, Frizell doesn’t have to look far to know how much pride there is in the Tongan jersey.
Be that the one of an invitational XIII – which they wore in their 14-6 victory over Great Britain on Saturday – or as the Mate Ma’a before the players’ public stoush with their now-suspended board.
He saw it last year when the majority of his relatives on his mother’s side supported his opposition in the historic first Test between the two countries.
On that occasion Australia won 34-16, as Tonga started slowly in the most hyped match in their country’s history.
Frizell also knows what it’s like to want to prove a point as a minnow, having previously played for Wales at the 2013 World Cup before being picked for Australia three years later.
“There are going to be 17 proud Tongan boys that are going to come out and perform at a high level,” Frizell said.
“No matter what they are wearing or whatever name they come under.
“At the end of the day they are proud Tongan boys representing their country and are going to want to be on fire getting one back on us.”
Frizell described last year’s experience of facing Tonga as “different”, having previously attended a Pacific Test as a teen and supported the side.
But he has long maintained his preference has always been to play for Australia and not follow in the footsteps of Andrew Fifita and Jason Taumalolo who kickstarted the Pacific revolution in 2017.
“I always wanted to play for Australia,” Frizell said.
“At a second-tier level maybe an opportunity might have come (earlier). But all I wanted to do growing up was wear the green and gold jersey.”
The Kangaroos – with Clint Gutherson and Victor Radley added to their travelling party – will fly to Auckland on Monday after enjoying a weekend off following their 26-4 win over New Zealand on Friday night.
Under Mal Meninga as coach, Frizell is confident there is no risk of being out-enthused by Tonga.
Once almost forgotten among the cluttered rugby league schedule, Meninga has ensured the pride surrounding the Australian jersey has returned in his three years as coach.
“Mal has come in and tried to change the culture and put that Aussie jersey as the No.1 priority that the boys want to strive towards at the end of the year,” Frizell said.
“He tried to put more games around it. There weren’t too many games for a number of years and you might have just had one every now and then.
“There is a rich history and a lot of guys have gone before us wearing the green and gold jersey.
“As great as it is to represent your state and play in that arena, there is no better feeling than pulling on the green and gold jersey.”
