NUKUʻALOFA — The Tonga National Rugby League (TNRL) has launched a decisive effort to protect and preserve the historic “Mate Maʻa Tonga” (MMT) name and logo for future generations of rugby league players. In an official push ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, the governing body is clamping down on commercial piracy while offering an olive branch to the current team administration to restore the iconic name under a unified front.
In a direct letter to Lord Fakafanua, Chairman of Tonga Rugby League XIII (TRL13), TNRL Chairperson George Koloamatangi highlighted that this year marks the historic 40th anniversary of Mate Maʻa Tonga. To celebrate this milestone, the Mate Maʻa Tonga Old Boys Association—led by President William Wolfgramm—is hosting a gala dinner in Auckland to present official cap numbers to the legends who have worn the jersey since the inaugural 1986 squad.
To ensure this rich heritage is not diluted or lost to private interests, the TNRL has issued a strict public mandate regarding its intellectual property. The board clarified that while passionate, non-commercial use of the name and logo by local fans and communities is warmly embraced to foster national pride, all unauthorized commercial printing, retail sales, and corporate exploitation of the trademark are strictly forbidden.
The TNRL emphasized that safeguarding these legal rights is crucial for the sport’s survival in Tonga. By protecting the trademark from commercial abuse, the league ensures that all future revenue generated from official licensing is legally locked in to fund grassroots player pathways, local clubs, and the development of the next generation of domestic Tongan talent.
As the World Cup draws closer, Koloamatangi has urged all stakeholders to put differences aside and work together, stating that securing the legacy of the “Mate Maʻa Tonga” name is in the ultimate best interest of the game and the people of Tonga.
