The Government of Tonga and a newly created Tonga Ma’a Tonga Rugby League (TMTRL) have been prohibited by the Supreme Court from interfering in any affairs of the Tonga National Rugby League (TNRL) body.

The new TMTRL body was previously supported by Government after the TNRL entered into a dispute with players when Coach Kristian Woolf was let go.

A civil case was brought by the plaintiffs George Koloamatangi, Petuliki Mafile’o, and Tonga National Rugby League Incorporated Society, against the defendants, Tonga Ma’a Tonga Rugby League and the Government (Kingdom of Tonga).

Hon. Mr Justice Laki Niu, on October 4, ordered that the TMTRL and Government were prohibited from making any decision or performing any activities in relation to the Participation Agreement, Apparel Supply Agreement, or any other property of the TNRL.

This included being banned from selecting coaches, management officers and staff of the Tonga National Rugby League Team, and from governing the sport of rugby league in Tonga, making decisions for the National Team of Tonga, or to act according to their Constitution.

He said any party could apply to vary or revoke the orders, and that the defendants were to be served with a sealed copy of the orders, a copy of the application and supporting affidavit, Direction Notice, Writ of Summons, and Statement of Claim.

The order from Hon. Mr Justice Niu comes after the Government wrote to the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) to support the new body last month.

The RLIF subsequently suspended the TNRL resulting in Australia’s National Rugby League (NRL) withdrawing Tonga’s invitation to the World Cup 9s.