Ex-Hull FC man Sika Manu has landed a senior role in the Tongan Rugby League governing body, as part of a hefty number of changes to the country’s structure of the game.
Manu, who is a 13-time international, joined the Black and Whites in 2016, and stayed for four seasons, winning the Challenge Cup twice.
He played for the club just over 100 times, and also had spells at NRL sides Melbourne Storm and Penrith Panthers in his career.
He will continue to work in the sport, this time at boardroom level. The former FC man has been elected as one of the directors of the Tongan board, after being selected by members of the country’s national team.
His official title will be the National Team Representative Director, and will work under the newly-elected Tongan Prime Minister, Lord Fakafanua, who is chairman of the board.
The governing body have also announced a new structure to the domestic leagues, in the hope they can improve the standard that will then help the country on the international stage.
The Tongan government have also provided the sport a sum of TOP$310,000 (roughly around £95,000) to go towards local grassroots programs and pathways.
The top men’s division will also feature two new teams, with the Vaini Doves and Mu’a Saints joining to make a 14-team division.
The changes are to ensure that the long-term future of Tongan rugby league improve, with the nation’s 2022 World Cup campaign ending at the quarter-final stage.
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