NRL withdraws Tonga from World 9’s

The NRL has officially withdrawn Tonga’s invitation to participate in 2019 World Cup 9’s at Bankwest Stadium on the 18th and 19th of October.

This comes after the Tongan National Team players refused to play unless the current board was replaced, for the releasing of current coach Kristian Woolf and potential hiring of former Gold Coast Titans head coach Garth Brennan.

The side has also been temporarily suspended by the Rugby League International Federation from competing in International Test matches.

These recent events have severely jeopardised Tonga’s progress and future as a rugby league nation.

All was looking up for the country when in 2017 both Andrew Fifita and Jason Taumalolo cut ties with their former representative nations of Australia and New Zealand to pledge their allegiance to Tonga.

This then lead to Tonga performing exceptionally well at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, with the side coming up short against England in the tournament’s semi-final, losing 20-18.