Tonga National Rugby League Explained

Leaguename:Tonga National Rugby League
Founded:1949
Rlif:1986 (Test nation)
Region:APRL
Regionyear:2010 (full; founder)
Remit:Tonga
Countryflag:Tonga
Updated:27 September 2019

The Tonga National Rugby League (TNRL) was the governing body for rugby league in Tonga. It is based in the capital Nuku'alofa.

The TNRL was founded in 1949 and has been a member of the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) since 1974.

Suspension and expulsion from IRL

In September 2019 membership of the RLIF was suspended after Semisi Sika, acting-prime minister of Tonga, wrote to the RLIF to advise that TNRL had lost the confidence of the government, the Tongan rugby league clubs and the country's players.[1] In a statement the RLIF stressed that "the suspension of TNRL is not an expulsion and is intended to provide a period of stability, while the matters raised by the various stakeholders can be properly and fully investigated"[2] although a new body Tonga Ma’a Tonga Rugby League has been set up by the Tongan Sports Council and the players which is expected to take over running of the national teams.[3] The board of TNRL announced on 27 September 2019 that they would be taking legal action against the Tongan government and Tonga Ma’a Tonga Rugby League and appealing the suspension by the RLIF.[4]

In December 2019 an International Rugby League (IRL) report proposed a number of changes to the governance of TNRL which TNR had 30 days to act upon.[5] TNRL responded that the changes were "undemocratic" and "being forced upon them".[6] The IRL board met on 13 February and announced on 17 February that the board had informed TNRL that it is expelled from membership of IRL.[7] As a precedent concerning a Tongan Invitational XIII to play has already been set, it is not considered that the expulsion of TNRL will affect the participation of Tonga's national teams in any competition.[7] On 31 March 2020, the International Rugby League started looking for new applicants to govern Tongan rugby league.[8]

TNRL appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport but the appeal was dismissed in April 2021 leaving IRL to work with interested parties in Tonga to establish a new governing body.[9]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Tonga National Rugby League board suspended by international body . Matangi Tonga . 27 September 2019 . 27 September 2019.
  2. RLIF Statement re Tonga National Rugby League . RLIF . 26 September 2019.
  3. News: Israel Folau's return to rugby league derailed as RLIF suspend Tonga . . 27 September 2019 . Australian Associated Press . Australian Associated Press .
  4. News: Read . Brent . Tongan Rugby League to launch legal challenge to RLIF suspension . . 27 September 2019 . 1 October 2019.
  5. Web site: Darbyshire . Drew . IRL recommend Tonga National Rugby League governance reform . Love Rugby League . 17 February 2020 . 17 December 2019.
  6. Web site: Tonga blasts IRL over proposed rugby league reforms . Fiji Broadcasting Corporation . 17 February 2020 . 19 December 2019.
  7. Web site: Tonga governing body expelled by International Rugby League . Rugby League Hub . 17 February 2020 . 17 February 2020.
  8. Web site: Tonga Rugby League Implementation Committee begins search for directors. www.rlif.com. 31 March 2020.
  9. Web site: Gordon . James . Court of Arbitration for Sport rejects Tonga NRL appeal against international expulsion . Love Rugby League . 20 April 2021 . 20 April 2021.

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