Hamilton will host a titanic cross-cultural international rugby league clash in October when the Great Britain Rugby League Lions play Mate Ma'a Tonga at FMG Stadium Waikato as part of a bumper year for the sport.
New Zealand Rugby League this week announced two international league competitions this year — the return of the touring Great Britain Rugby League Lions (featuring players from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland) as well as six-nation Oceania Cup including Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa and Papua New Guinea.
The Great Britain Rugby League Lions will play for the first time since 2007, and the team's tour to New Zealand will be its first to the southern hemisphere since 2006.
The team's match vs Tonga will take place on Saturday, October 26, and will be the first time the two sides have played each other.
Tonga played two matches at FMG Stadium Waikato as part of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup and drew a large and spirited crowd to the venue — with many fans travelling to Hamilton from South Auckland for the games, both won by the Tongan team.
Hamilton City Council's events general manager, Sean Murray, says the return of Tonga for a rugby league international is exciting news for the city and the region's sports fans.
"We had a tremendous experience with the Tongan team and fans in 2017," Mr Murray says. "Clad in their red, singing their songs and waving their flags, the Tongan fans brought an incredible energy and noise to our venue.
