Slashing Parramatta centre Michael Jennings has pledged his allegiance to Tonga long-term and joins Jason Taumalolo, Andrew Fifita and Tevita Pangai in doing so.

It’s another victory for the rising rugby league nation after a dream run at last year’s World Cup.

“My focus now is Tonga,” he said.

“I’d love to play Origin but I made the decision I wanted to stay after the World Cup.

“To see how much passion and the feel, personally for me every time I put an Australian jersey or New South Wales jersey on, it never compared to putting on the Tongan jersey, just how much passion and how much it meant to my family.

“When we played against Samoa, it was an intense game. The atmosphere was humbling, the vibe was all positive. An unbelievable experience for me. I can’t explain it.

“That experience has changed everyone’s minds. The effect that it had with the fans and younger generation.”