Tonga National Rugby League expelled from Test football by the International Rugby League

After an ugly internal battle over money and governance, Tonga has been banned from international rugby league – but the Tongan Invitational XIII will continue to compete.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – NOVEMBER 02: Jason Taumalolo captain of Tonga looks for a gap during the Rugby League International Test match between the Australia Kangaroos and Tonga at Eden Park on November 02, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

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Tonga has been formally banned from playing international rugby league — but it won’t affect the giant-killing current side.

The Rugby League International Federation expelled Tonga from competing on Tuesday after an ugly internal battle over money and governance. It means Tonga cannot play any official Test matches.

However the incumbent side, led by Cowboys champion Jason Taumalolo, will continue to play as the Tongan Invitational XIII, as the side did in last year’s Oceania Cup.

It was in that event when the Tongan Invitational XIII famously defeated Australia’s Kangaroos in New Zealand.

Despite the ban, The Daily Telegraph as been told a Tonga side will certainly be included in the 2021 World Cup.

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Tonga have beaten Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain in the last few years. Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images.

The Tongan Rugby League, which was suspended last year, has one week to appeal their expulsion.

An RLIF statement reads: “At its Board meeting on 13 February, the directors carefully considered the position of Tonga National Rugby League, which has been suspended since October 2019, in the light of a wide-ranging consultation with stakeholders in the Tongan game.

“After that meeting, the board wrote to TNRL, advising them of the resolution passed at that meeting, which is to expel TNRL from the membership.

“There is a process within the IRL constitution for dealing with membership issues, which IRL is following. TNRL has one week to appeal the Board’s decision. Should it choose to do so, the matter will be decided by the members in general meeting.”

Tongan players nearly boycotted last year’s Test matches. Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images.

The Tonga Invitational XIII squad included Andrew Fifita, Addin Fonua-Blake, Will Hopoate, Michael Jennings, Joe Ofahengaue, Tevita Pangai jnr, Kotoni Staggs, Siosiua Taukeiaho and Daniel Tupou.

The dispute started late last year between Tongan players and the federation and triggered a boycott threat among leading players, including Taumalolo and Fifita.

The RLIF recommended a series of reforms for rugby league in Tonga last December after a two-month investigation into governance and operations of rugby league in the Pacific nation.

Tonga’s Invitational XIII also defeated Great Britain late last year.

Originally published as Tonga National Rugby League expelled from Test football by the International Rugby League