Tonga Rugby League Faces Early Hurdles with Coaching Appointment
The newly formed board overseeing Rugby League in Tonga, led by Lord Fakafanua, has encountered its first significant challenge. Their initial coaching appointment of John Strange, the highly regarded head coach of the Sydney Roosters NRLW team, has been met with swift backlash.
Strange, known for his impressive credentials, resigned just a week into his tenure. His departure comes amid reports of discontent among senior women players, who were reportedly unhappy that they weren’t consulted on the decision. The players expressed a preference to continue working with last year’s coaching staff, under whom they believed they had built a strong foundation.
This has presented an early obstacle for the new board. The senior players, it seems, want more say in their future direction, particularly when it comes to their coaching and management team. They feel the previous season was a success, having aligned with their coaches’ vision, and believe their efforts will attract more Tongan talent from both Australia and New Zealand, as well as rugby union, to join their push for the Rugby League World Cup.
In a bid to resolve the impasse, the players have reportedly requested a meeting with the board following the conclusion of the NRLW final to discuss the path forward. If the players have their way, their coach from last year’s Pacific Championship will be reinstated along with his coaching staff, and they will also play under the Mate Ma’a Tonga name.
