PACIFIC Islander stars of the future will reject the big-money lure of State of Origin and Australia v New Zealand Test matches to play for their nation of heritage, Samoan players believe.
With six former Kiwi Test players who defected to Samoa taking the field today against Tonga at Centrebet Stadium, there is a growing campaign among the NRL's Polynesian stars to convince the next generation to pledge allegiance to their island nations.
Prop Jeff Lima, who makes his debut for Samoa today alongside former New Zealand captain Roy Asotasi, has a stark prediction for league's administrators.
"I think the next generation will play for Samoa, Tonga or Fiji instead of worrying about the $50,000 a game in State of Origin or the $30,00 a Test for the Kangaroos or Kiwis," Lima said.
"I believe it will get to a stage where the money will be the same. And there is a pride in representing the country where your parents were born."
Already, one-third of the NRL is made up of players with Islander heritage and that is only likely to grow when looking through the rosters of junior squads.
Considering that the likes of Sonny Bill Williams (Samoan heritage), Israel Folau (Tongan), and Jarryd Hayne (Fijian) have been major drawcards for Trans-Tasman Tests or State of Origin series, it would be a major blow for the established fixtures should the next wave of Islander stars opt out.
Lima's Samoan teammate Eddy Pettybourne has already begun lobbying the game's brightest young Islander talent to pledge allegiance to island nations.
"I have been speaking with a few young boys and they have already put an allegiance to Samoa instead of New Zealand or Australia," Pettybourne said.
"I reckon one day soon, Samoa, Tonga and Fiji will start to really challenge Australia, New Zealand and England in Test matches.
"If it keeps going like this, you never know. There are a lot of Polynesian boys out there. It's up to them, but if they put their hands up for the country where their family is from then we'll have some really strong teams."
Brent Kite and Anthony Tupou, who played for Australia in the 2008 World Cup final won 34-20 by a New Zealand team featuring Samoa's Sika Manu, will play for Tonga today.
Samoan official Nigel Vagana says growing professionalism in the islands was a major factor in the NRL stars' decisions to defect.
"In the past we never had a viable option to play for Samoa or Tonga," said Vagana, who represented Samoa and the Kiwis. "It wasn't as professional as it needed to be.
"Players are now coming through an era of professionalism understanding the set-up. They're proud to take these opportunities at a younger age than their predecessors."
Agree there is a genuine need for these games and more....
Tonga v samoa tonight
imagine if Kasiano and Pritchard was playing aswell..
Sbw and Maitua and wow what a pack...