Rugby Talks Progressing For Tonga To Play Australia In Auckland

Talks are continuing for Tonga to play Australia in an end-of-year rugby test, with Hawaii "touted as a possible venue," but there is a chance the match could be held at Auckland's Mt. Smart Stadium, according to David Skipwith of the NEW ZEALAND HERALD. Tonga coach Kristian Woolf said, "It's certainly still on the cards. It's no closer to being finalized, there's still a fair bit to go, but it's something that we want to happen and something Australia want to happen and there's a fair bit of interest from companies wanting to at least look into whether it's a viable option and where it will be a viable option." A test between Tonga and Australia in New Zealand "would be a guaranteed sell-out given the large local Pacific community" (NZ HERALD, 2/20).