WHEN Tonga coach Kristian Woolf helped convince Jason Taumalolo to jump ship to Tonga, he knew the impact would be big.

But the former Townsville Blackhawks mentor admitted they couldn’t have predicted what the Cowboys star’s decision would do to help revive international rugby league.

Woolf can’t envisage Taumalolo ever returning to the New Zealand fold after playing a major role in one of international football’s finest hours in Auckland on Saturday night.

The Mate Ma’a were beaten 34-16 in their maiden Test against Australia but the sea of red and white in the stands, and the singing and atmosphere the fans provided, made it a must to be held more regularly.

Taumalolo and Cronulla forward Andrew Fifita were the first big names to defect to Tonga, with several other established stars following suit.

“We knew there'd be a fair impact (after Taumalolo’s decision), but I don’t think I ever foresaw it having quite this big an impact,” Woolf said yesterday.

“The way these group of men have united so many people, it’s been terrific to see.

“I’d be very suprised if he ever left Tonga. He’s done so much.

“It takes him two hours to get off the ground because he wants to acknowledge the crowd. He’d find it very difficult, he’s just such a strong figurehead and leader in that community.

The Kangaroos won the match on the back of a 30-10 first half, but Woolf firmly believes they would have given them more run for their money if they were allocated lead-in games.

He implored the NRL and Rugby League International Federation to devise a long-term international calendar which gives them enough games to generate momentum.

Up next will be an anticipated re-match against New Zealand next June in what could be part of a tri-series involving another Test against Australia.

“We had a couple of meetings (about the tri-series) while we were away and it looks positive, that's for sure,” Woolf said.

“It was Australia’s third game, if it was our third game I reckon they’d have a tough game of footy on their hands,” Woolf said.

“That’s our fight, to get the same as the bigger countries get and once we get that we’ll be even more competitive.

“Everyone seems really hopeful by the end of the year that there’s a calendar that outlines rep footy for a couple of years until the World Cup.

“It will be a massive benefit for us. For the last five years we’ve gone game by game, you don’t know when your next game is or who it’s against.

“Even getting sponsors on jerseys in that time and signing with sponsors, it means you’re sometimes undervalued because it is a rush.

“The positive out of it all is that us, Samoa, Papua New Guinea and Fiji are at the forefront of everyone’s thoughts and it looks like there’ll be a calendar involving us, which is what we need.”

Cowboys prop Jordan McLean had a solid game with 86 metres off 11 runs, a relief after a quiet display in the loss to New Zealand a week earlier.

“I wasn’t up to standard against New Zealand and I’m happy to say that. Last night was a lot better,” McLean said.

“I haven’t played in something like that before. The crowd was signing and cheering the whole time, it was pretty special.

“I think they (Tonga) earned it last year with how far they went in the World Cup and they’re only going to get better if guys like Jason are going back to their heritage.

“The victory’s important, but it was important ust to play well. Last night we were a lot better.”