No decision on Israel Folau playing rugby league for Tonga
Tuesday, September 24, 2019 - 22:04
Israel Folau’s reported availability to play for the Mate Ma‘a Tonga (MMT) in the two test matches against Great Britain and Australia at the end of the year, has been refuted by the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF).
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Can any lawyers who know the
Can any lawyers who know the International Rugby League laws/ rules etc comment on this? From memory, the Mate Ma'a Tonga phenomenon generated by loyalty of Tongan players to their country of birth, rather than blindly adhering/ obeying unjust rules/international regulations that favoured tier 1 nations, discriminated against "coconuts" resulted in the rules/regulations being changed to be more fair to the Pacific Island players. This resulted not only in increasing revenue but also boosted spectacular spectator participation increasing the popularity and revenue for national and international League Committees.