Why footy coach thought NRL star was DRUNK when he made a stunning phone call that helped change the face of rugby league

Jason Taumalolo has recalled the 2017 phone call he made which ultimately changed international rugby league forever.

Taumalolo’s name flashed up on Kristian Woolf’s screen and the Tongan coach didn’t know what to think given the North Queensland Cowboys veteran had just finished Mad Monday following the team’s grand final defeat to the Melbourne Storm.

The superstar forward was calling to announce he wanted to shift his allegiance to Tonga after playing rep footy for New Zealand. 

‘He thought I was still tipsy,’ Taumalolo said ahead of Sunday’s Pacific Cup final against Australia at CommBank Stadium.

‘I told him, “No, I’m being serious”. I had sobered up and I made the decision. I talked to a few of the other boys and the rest is history.’

The ‘other boys’ were then Kiwi team-mates Siousiua Taukeiaho, Manu Ma’u and David Fusitu’a, plus Australian prop Andrew Fifita.

What has followed since the quintet’s decision has been extraordinary.

After 10 appearances for the Kiwis, Taumalolo (pictured right this week with representative teammate Siliva Havili) decided it was time to play for his island nation, Tonga

‘I knew Kristian for a long time, and I did promise him that I would come back, but it wouldn’t be as an old player who wouldn’t be picked for New Zealand,’ Taumalolo told NRL.com

‘Going back, and playing for my country and my heritage, was something that I wanted to do, so I made the decision that while I was playing pretty good football I’d go back and represent them.’

Tonga went onto stun the Kiwis at the 2017 World Cup – and also beat the Kangaroos two years later in memorable scenes.

Taumalolo started a rugby league revolution, with the likes of Jarome Luai, Brian To’o and Stephen Crichton following suit and representing Samoa at the 2022 World Cup, where they made the final in England.

Tongan coach Kristian Woolf initially thought Taumalolo was ‘tipsy’ following Mad Monday drinks with the Cowboys following their 2017 NRL grand final defeat (pictured right, with Lehi Hopoate)

The enforcer, 31, now looks back and proudly admits it is ‘probably one of the biggest decisions’ he has made in his decorated footy career.

‘There are moments where it’s a bit surreal,’ he said.

‘I always look at those “how good is this” moments… for now we’re just going to embrace it and enjoy the support that we’ve got’.

Woolf’s men will be underdogs on Sunday versus the Kangaroos – and their fanatical supporters will ensure a sea of red in what is tipped to be a capacity crowd.

If Tonga win, it will be the nation’s first major rugby league trophy – and it can all be traced back to Taumalolo’s boldness.