The Tonga Ma’a Tonga Rugby League (TMTRL), a new rugby league governing board, has applied for full membership of the International Rugby League (IRL).

The application was sent to the Asia Pacific Rugby League (APRL) where it will be reviewed before it is forwarded to the IRL for final approval.

A IRL press release on 30 June said the TMTRL application signals the dissolution of the implementation committee, formed by three members of the Tongan rugby league community who volunteered to assist an APRL representative to facilitate Tonga’s smooth return to the world stage as an IRL member.

IRL Global Operations Manager Danny Kazandjian thanked the members of the implementation committee (IC), Gareth Holmes, Konrad Hurrell, Suliana Mone and Ikani Taliai.

“They managed to bring together several parties who had an interest in Tongan rugby league and helped them form a coherent group, under mutually acceptable rules, structure and leadership.”

“The IC achieved that with great professionalism and skill whilst working under close media scrutiny, especially in Tonga."

Meanwhile the previous member, Tonga National Rugby League (TNRL), has appealed against its expulsion to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

IRL said it has responded fully and will keep it under consideration while assessing the new application.

In February, the IRL made the decision to expel the TNRL after their suspension last October due to a dispute with Mate Ma’a Tonga players when TNRL let go of Coach Kristian Woolf. Players had threatened to boycott games unless a new board was established.

The players and coach have since maintained that new governance reform in Tonga is needed.

Tonga heads one of the pools in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup which will be held in England.