Tonga’s expelled board appeals ban

Tonga’s rugby league dramas will drag on for another three weeks after the nation’s expelled board appealed its ban.

The IRL will meet on March 18 to hear the administration’s appeal, after the Tonga National Rugby League (TNRL) opted to fight its expulsion.

It comes after months of fighting between Tongan players

wings, Tuivasa-Sheck believes they will lose nothing in the yardage department.

‘‘If it’s Patrick, if it’s ‘Wets’ [Pompey] or whoever comes up, we’re still strong in that back three,’’ the fullback said. ‘‘With Ken on one side, myself and whoever comes in, I’m pretty happy with who we have back there.’’

Fusitu’a’s switch also means a positional change for Herbert, who made eight appearances at and the administration over finances and the initial axing of Kristian Woolf as coach.

The drama threatened to put a large dent in international rugby league last year, with Tonga players threatening to boycott the Nines World Cup and other matches.

The players eventually ran out for an invitational side, claiming

centre last year in his rookie season.

Communication on the edge is crucial, particularly in defence where it’s imperative that the decision-making between the centre and wing is on the same page.

It’s been a major focus for the pair but having teamed up together on several occasions last year – albeit in different positions – Fusitu’a believes that has given them a head start. the country’s first wins against Australia and Great Britain and breathing new life into the international game with Woolf reinstated. The IRL this week continued to press on with the invitational side, confirming it will play in a four-team Pacific Nations this year alongside New Zealand, Samoa and the Cook Islands starting in June.

‘‘He’s been awesome for me. Last year we built that combination late in the year and heading into this one we’re trying to build our connection from there,’’ he said.

‘‘Not too much swapping notes but having a few conversations around what we want in different positions on the field and what we expect from each other, the way I like to defend and the way he does.’’