Combined Nations All Stars to raise funds for Tonga in England clash
The Combined Nations All Stars will show their support for Tonga in this year’s mid-season international against England.
The All Stars will wear special jerseys to raise funds for those affected by the devastating tsunami in Tonga.
Shaun Wane’s England side will be back in action on the weekend of June 17-19; the Rugby Football League has confirmed. No Super League or Championship clubs will play on that weekend.
The All Stars beat England 26-24 at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium last June. They raised funds for Mose Masoe, whose career was ended by a spinal injury in early 2020.
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Carl Hall delighted to see “great gesture” by Combined Nations All Stars
Carl Hall, who is the team manager of the All Stars and chair of the Pacific Islands Rugby League Group, said: “This is a great gesture.
“Tonga has become such a force in rugby league in recent years with their incredible run to the semi-finals of the last World Cup in 2017. There have been so many great players of Tongan descent who have come over to play with English or French clubs.
“We’ve all seen the terrible and frightening scenes since the volcanic explosion; with some players anxiously awaiting news of their relatives.
“I know a lot of rugby league clubs and supporters will want to find a way of showing their solidarity with the Tongan people over the coming days, weeks and months.
“It will be an honour and a privilege for us to do our bit when the Combined Nations All Stars come together to face England this summer.”
The All Stars will need a new coach after Tim Sheens became director of football at Wests Tigers. The venue and television arrangements for the game will be announced in due course.
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