Three of the most feared hit men of rugby league’s modern era will come out swinging in aid of tsunami-ravaged Tonga on Saturday week.
Willie Mason, Solomon Haumono and and Gorden Tallis will all play for a Tongan Invitation XIII against an Australian side in an International Legends of League match at Hammel Park in Beenleigh on March 5.
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The trio headline a star-studded line-up and officials are hoping for a capacity crowd to boost the funding drive for the ravaged island nation.
Mason, whose mother hails from Tonga, told Wide World of Sports it will be a very special night.
“We are playing for our people and they have really been through some hard times,” the former Kangaroos forward said.
“It will be played in good spirit but it won’t be like an NBA All-Star game where we go easy on each other – it is a contact sport and there are some tough boys out there.
“I respect the Australian team for helping out. There will be a lot of emotion there.”
Mason laments the way the game has changed since he retired.
“It has gone soft a little and the big hit seems to be punished, even if it is legal,” he said.
“I don’t condone punching but it would stop all this bullshit of wingers running in and pushing and shoving big blokes.
“We have lost some of the toughness in our game.”
Other members of the Tonga team include former Bulldogs and Eels star Jim Dymock and the controversial John Hopoate.
The team will be coached by Brisbane Broncos star Kotoni Staggs.
The Australian team includes ex-Broncos premiership-winner Terry Matterson, Dally M Medal winner Todd Carney, former wing superstar Kerry Boustead and journeymen forwards Ben Hannant, Greg Bird and Kevin Campion.
In all, the players will boast 5,510 games of NRL and Super League experience, 121 State of Origin appearances and 259 International caps.
The match kicks off 6pm, with more details available on the International Legends of League Facebook page.
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