Heart and Heritage: Tonga’s Rugby League Legacy at Risk Amid IRL’s Global Agenda
As IRL’s oversight reshapes Tongan rugby league, local voices demand respect for decades of passion and sacrifice.
When Tonga’s rugby league team captured the world’s attention during the 2017 World Cup, their astonishing rise wasn’t some fluke or a Cinderella story plucked from thin air. This success was born from a wellspring of raw talent—Tongan players making waves in the NRL for years, waiting for a chance to proudly represent not only their skills but also their heritage. This was due to the Kangaroos and the Kiwis not being able to accommodate the talent that was available into their test squads. This led to a sporting reclamation, a moment of cultural pride that expanded beyond the pitch. The International Rugby League (IRL) seized this wave of Pacific passion and rode it hard, hoping to shine a global spotlight on rugby league’s potential in the region.
Suddenly, the Pacific Islands weren’t just on the map—they were at the centre of IRL’s grand narrative. But as some critics argue, the IRL positioned itself not just as a partner but as a gatekeeper, reaping the benefits of government funding without proportionate investment in grassroots rugby across the region.
The relationship with Tonga’s rugby league program showcases this uneasy dynamic. The local federation, Tonga National Rugby League (TNRL), found itself expelled over what some perceived as challenges to IRL’s authority—a rarity in international sports governance. Since the IRL’s last direct funding of AUD$15,000 in 2017, Tonga has been left without a local governing body. In its place, an IRL-appointed Interim Management Group (IMG) took over, tasked with providing “legitimacy” but apparently not always consulting with local representatives, who were often sidelined—except, it seems, when funding was involved.
The Tongan government, however, stepped up with substantial funding: AUD$934,970 for test matches against New Zealand in July 2022 and the Rugby League World Cup later that year. And while the IRL covers tournament costs—such as AUD$3,000 per player per test, travel, and accommodation—Tonga sees none of the revenue from TV rights or gate receipts. It’s a sore point for many who feel Tonga should see a fairer slice of the pie.
Financial records obtained by Tonga Independent show significant consultant fees, including payments to Scott Clarke, appointed team manager by IMG. Meanwhile, staff costs for coaching were bundled under broad “staff payment” categories:
Staff Payments
FY 01.11.21 – 31.10.22: AUD$122,255.60
FY 01.11.22 – 31.12.22: AUD$40,507.36
Consultant Payments
FY 01.11.22 – 31.12.22: AUD$24,200 and AUD$19,230
FY 01.11.21 onward: AUD$82,730
After footing a hefty AUD$934,970 bill and adding AUD$300,000 for an England tour, the Tongan government asked for an audit on unbudgeted World Cup costs. In a letter to Jeremy Edwards, Asia Pacific Rugby League’s Operations Manager (also an IMG board member), the government formally requested clarification and potential reimbursements.
“It’s sad when the IRL ignores 38 years of history, thrown out the door when they appointed a new governing body that’s not willing to continue with the ‘Mate Ma’a Tonga’ name we’ve established and played under since 1986,” says William Woolgram, Co-Chairman of the Ex Mate Ma’a Tonga Players Association.
“How quickly they forget. Back from 1986 to 1994 our players paid their own airfares and fund raised for accommodation and uniforms to get to the Cook Islands, Western Samoa and Fiji to represent Tonga in the International Rugby League Pacific Cup Tournaments. Players from the Tongan domestic competition also had to fund raise to join the Team Overseas They’ve forgotten that we helped build the international game with our own money!”
The IRL recently dissolved the IMG, but a new governing body was appointed without Tongan government consent. Even Tonga’s Prime Minister, in a text, reportedly deferred to the Minister of Sports, Lord Vaea, who’s voiced preference for a club-elected leadership—a Tongan tradition since 1986.
There’s a deeper issue here. Tonga, a nation of just over 100,000 people, depends heavily on remittances and foreign aid to keep its economy humming. With over 45% of government revenue coming from donor funding, there’s a growing chorus asking why taxpayer dollars are spent on international matches with limited local return.
Critics contend that the IRL’s approach with the Pacific feels transactional, prioritising global expansion at the expense of local growth. Tonga’s people give much to rugby league, and many feel they deserve a bigger return, particularly for developing future Mate Ma’a Tonga stars. Without substantial investment in grassroots and community infrastructure, there’s a risk the IRL may miss the mark in truly honouring the communities it champions.
The Tongan people deserve more than international exposure; they deserve lasting support. Tonga’s rugby league legacy—its independence, passion, and pride—deserves recognition. And unless the IRL prioritises genuine reinvestment, the communities at rugby league’s heart may be left on the sidelines.
