Tonga to be reinstated for World Nines after Prime Minister steps in

Tonga have gone right to the top to solve a nasty stand-off between players and administration, with the country’s new Prime Minister forced to step in.

Jason Taumalolo of Tonga performs the Sipi Tau.

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Tonga is set to be reinstated for the World Nines Tournament as a result of a show of force from the country’s new Prime Minister.

Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) had withdrawn Tonga’s invitation to play in the World Nines next month pending the formation of a new board.

The new board was formed after 30 squad members, including stars Jason Taumalolo, Andrew Fifita and Will Hopoate, threatened to boycott the Nines and the upcoming Oceania Cup matches against Australia and Great Britain, due to their lost faith and support for the previous board.

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Jason Taumalolo of Tonga performs the Sipi Tau.

However, at a landmark meeting this morning in Tonga, Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa signed-off on his support for the new Tongan Sports Council (TSC) board, which is focused on fielding Tonga’s best players for the Nines and upcoming Test matches.

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The PM’s signature of support for the new board is set to be sent to the RLIF on Thursday — which will then enable the re-issue of an invitation for Tonga to play in the Nines.

Sacked by the previous board, Tongan coach Kristian Woolf and his staff are also to be returned while Tonga’s leading players have been told by the new board to begin preparing for next month’s Nines.

Andrew Fifita of Tonga leads the Sipi Tau.

Originally published as Tonga to be reinstated for World Nines after Prime Minister steps in