Leeds Rhinos star Konrad Hurrell confident Tonga will gain re-admission to IRL governing body

LEEDS RHINOS star Konrad Hurrell is confident Tonga will be readmitted to International Rugby League (IRL).
By Peter Smith
Published 11th May 2020, 17:00 BST
Leeds Rhinos centre and Tonga players' representative, Konrad Hurrell. Picture: Bruce RollinsonJPIMedia.Leeds Rhinos centre and Tonga players' representative, Konrad Hurrell. Picture: Bruce RollinsonJPIMedia.
Leeds Rhinos centre and Tonga players' representative, Konrad Hurrell. Picture: Bruce RollinsonJPIMedia.

Hurrell is part of an implementation committee which was set up to bring the Tongan rugby league community together after the previous governing body was booted out of the IRL.

The IRL say they are continuing to monitor events in Tonga and expect to receive an application for membership from a new organisation “imminently”.

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Tonga reached the semi-finals of the 2017 World Cup and beat both Great Britain and Australia last autumn.

Konrad Hurrell in action for Tonga against Australia last year. Picture: Renee McKay/www.photosport.nz /SWpix.com.Konrad Hurrell in action for Tonga against Australia last year. Picture: Renee McKay/www.photosport.nz /SWpix.com.
Konrad Hurrell in action for Tonga against Australia last year. Picture: Renee McKay/www.photosport.nz /SWpix.com.

Hurrell, who is the players’ representative on the implementation committee, said: “It is so encouraging to see the quality and the experience of the candidates for the new board. This process has been a fantastic opportunity for the whole Tongan rugby league community to have their say [and] elect a new and really talented board who will lead the whole of a united Tongan rugby league forward.”

IRL global operations manager Danny Kazandjian said: “We understand that the active Tongan rugby league community has been working closely with one another to create an organisation that will best represent it, at home and internationally.

“It’s pleasing to see signs of collaboration from the dozens of clubs in the kingdom.”

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