IRL Confirms No Rule Prevents Tonga From Using Mate Ma’a Tonga Name
The International Rugby League (IRL) has confirmed that there is no rule preventing Tonga’s national rugby league team from using the Mate Ma’a Tonga name, raising questions about an explanation given by Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua at a recent press conference.
Responding directly to an enquiry from Tonga Independent News, IRL Secretary General Danny Kazandjian confirmed that the decision rests with Tonga Rugby XIII, the internationally recognised national federation.
“Use of the name MMT is something for the Tongan RL to determine. There is no IRL rule preventing them from using it,” Mr Kazandjian said.
His response follows comments by the Prime Minister indicating that Tonga’s national team must use the official name recognised by the IRL and was not permitted to use Mate Ma’a Tonga.
The IRL’s clarification now establishes that international rugby league regulations do not prevent the use of the name.
Mr Kazandjian also raised the possibility that trademark considerations may have influenced the decision.
“I believe Tongan RL was considering trademark complications with the previous national federation, but, again, that is a question for Tonga Rugby XIII (our member NF),” he said.
His comments suggest that the issue may concern trademark ownership rather than any restriction imposed by the IRL. However, the Secretary General did not confirm that trademark considerations were the reason for the decision.
TNRL Says It Offered the Name to Tonga Rugby XIII
The clarification is particularly significant because Tonga National Rugby League (TNRL), the former internationally recognised governing body, maintains that it had already offered to allow the current national team administration to use the Mate Ma’a Tonga name.
According to TNRL Deputy Chairman Patrick Mafile’o, the organisation approached the leadership of Tonga Rugby XIII with the offer.
“Our chairman wrote to Fakafanua and Tavake Fangupo, and offered the name to be used by the team for supporters’ sake, but they ignored our offer,” Mr Mafile’o said.
TNRL lost its international recognition in 2019, with Tonga Rugby XIII subsequently becoming the IRL-recognised national federation.
However, TNRL continues to operate domestic rugby league competitions in Tonga and maintains ownership of the Mate Ma’a Tonga trademarks.
The IRL’s latest response raises an important question. If TNRL has offered permission to use the name and there is no international rule preventing its use, why has Tonga Rugby XIII chosen not to adopt it?
That question remains unanswered.
Trademark Controversy Sparks Online Criticism
The issue has generated heated debate on social media following public statements by TNRL confirming its ownership of the Mate Ma’a Tonga name and logo.
Some criticism has been directed personally at TNRL board members, particularly Melino Maka, who assisted the organisation with the trademark registration process in New Zealand.
Mr Maka has been accused online of registering the name in his own name, despite registration records identifying Tonga National Rugby League as the registered owner.
TNRL subsequently issued two public statements clarifying its position.
The first addressed the ownership of the name and Mr Maka’s involvement in the registration process.
The second explained that supporters were welcome to use the name and logo free of charge for personal and non-commercial activities.
“Our message is simple. TNRL welcomes supporters using the Mate Ma’a Tonga name and logo free of charge for personal or community activities that are not intended to make money,” the statement said.
However, TNRL made clear that businesses seeking to profit from the name through clothing, merchandise or other commercial activities must first obtain permission where its trademark rights apply.
The organisation maintains that this is a commercial decision intended to protect an asset belonging to TNRL, rather than any individual board member.
Questions for Tonga Rugby XIII
The IRL’s response has now shifted attention to Tonga Rugby XIII and the reasons behind its decision not to use the Mate Ma’a Tonga name.
Australia’s national team is widely known as the Kangaroos, New Zealand’s as the Kiwis and Samoa’s as Toa Samoa.
The IRL’s confirmation makes clear that there is no general international rule preventing Tonga from using its own established team name.
What remains unclear is whether Tonga Rugby XIII has identified specific trademark, contractual or other legal obstacles, and whether these could be resolved through an agreement with TNRL.
The central question is no longer whether the IRL permits the name.
It is why Tonga Rugby XIII is not using it.
A Name That Has Outlasted the Dispute
Whatever the disagreement between TNRL and the current rugby league administration, the Mate Ma’a Tonga name carries a history that extends beyond the organisations involved.
That history was celebrated recently in Auckland, where former national players gathered to mark the 40th anniversary of Tonga’s first national rugby league team in 1986.
The successful event brought together generations of former players, including Solomon Haumono, Jimmy Dymock, Brent Kite, Fetuli Talanoa, Etu Uaisele and Cooper Vuna, among others.
One of the highlights was the presentation of commemorative player caps, recognising former internationals and their contributions to Tongan rugby league, including members of the pioneering 1986 team.
Mate Ma’a Tonga Old Boys Association President William Woolgram described the occasion as a special milestone for the former players.
“It was a pretty special night. We had 46 former players turn up from 1986 to 2006, and we are already planning for next year. We want to make it even bigger, so the MMT name will continue,” Mr Woolgram said.
The gathering demonstrated that, four decades after the first national team took the field, the Mate Ma’a Tonga name continues to unite former players and supporters across generations.
For many supporters, Mate Ma’a Tonga is more than a name on a jersey. It is part of the team’s identity, its history and the pride of representing Tonga.
The administrative arrangements may have changed, but the name remains firmly established among supporters.
And while the debate over its official use continues, one thing seems unlikely to change.
For thousands of Tongan supporters around the world, their national team will always be Mate Ma’a Tonga.
