Multiple NRL figures hope to see Tonga-Samoa play overseas

Prominent rugby league figures, including former NRL player Alex McKinnon, Samoa coach Ben Gardiner, and Tonga coach Kristian Woolf, are advocating for the Tonga versus Samoa rivalry to be hosted overseas. The calls follow their recent clash at CommBank Stadium, where Tonga edged Samoa 20-18 after a late 73rd-minute try by Addin Fonua-Blake in front of a near-capacity crowd.

Supporters and officials have suggested locations such as Hawaii and Utah as ideal destinations to capitalize on the massive global Pacific diaspora. The Sunday encounter drew record television ratings, averaging 1.5 million viewers and reaching 2.93 million, cementing the international fixture as one of the sport's premier showpieces.