Kiwis veteran Simon Mannering has expressed his support for a Pacific Islands rugby league tri-series tournament or for regular Test matches against Samoa, Tonga and Fiji in the wake of his side's historic 28-22 loss to Mate Ma'a.
Armed with their four Kiwi defectors, including Jason Taumalolo, Tonga overpowered the Kiwis in the second half and ran out deserved winners.
Tonga celebrate a try. Kiwis v Tonga, Rugby League World Cup, Hamilton, 2017. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
They're the first tier-two nation in history to beat a tier-one opponent, and have topped their Rugby League World Cup pool with three wins from as many games.
Mannering, gregarious in defeat, said it was a pity to lose to Mate Ma'a but felt the result could only be positive for international rugby league.
While State of Origin tends to hog the headlines in Australia, he felt New Zealand could host the Pasifika sides for Tests on a more regular basis.
He also said Kiwi defectors including Taumalolo, David Fusitu'a and Sio Siua Taukeiaho should stick with Tonga for the sake of the Test-level game.
"It's to our detriment today that Tonga beat us but I always thought (about) how good it'd be for our game, for the second-tier nations to beat top-tier nations -- unfortunately it was us today," the Warriors-based veteran NRL lock told reporters.
"But hey, if the Pacific Island teams get to choose their strongest teams and we can create an international game where (we're) not having to rely on England or Australia to get tournaments going, we could play Tonga in a three-match series here or Samoa, or a tri-series.
"If they have their strongest teams, they're competitive."
The Kiwis' loss sees them finish second in Pool B, and places them on a collision course with Cup favourites Australia in the semi-finals.
But first they must overcome Fiji in Wellington.
"We'll move on," Mannering said.
"Good things for rugby league today but, for the Kiwis, we've got to pick ourselves up and really show something next week."
-AAP