By Melino Maka | Tonga Independent News | 3 November 2025
Tonga XIII’s 36–10 loss to the Kiwis in Auckland on Sunday night was more than a defeat on the field — it was a reflection of deeper issues surrounding team preparation, governance, and accountability. What was once a proud symbol of Tongan unity now looks directionless and fatigued.
A Team That Looked Unprepared
From the opening whistle, Tonga XIII struggled to match the Kiwis’ intensity. The defensive line was sluggish, errors mounted, and the team appeared physically and mentally off the pace. Coach Kristian Woolf admitted afterward that the team had been “a bit off… with and without the ball,” and hinted that several players were “underdone.”
However, fatigue alone cannot explain the decline. Since the 2022 Rugby League World Cup, the team’s administration has been paralysed by court-ordered reforms and questions over leadership. The High Court of Tonga ordered a new board and audited accounts after years of mismanagement, yet there has been little progress. No Tonga XIII board representatives were visible at the match — a symbol of how disconnected governance has become from the game itself.
The Eli Katoa Incident Raises Safety Fears
The match turned alarming when star forward Eli Katoa suffered multiple head knocks — one in the warm-up and two more during the game — before collapsing on the sideline. He later underwent emergency surgery in Auckland to remove fluid from his brain.
The NRL has launched an investigation into Tonga’s handling of the situation. Video footage showed Katoa appearing dazed before the match began, yet team doctors cleared him to play. Coach Woolf defended the medical staff, saying “everything’s been done to the book,” but concussion experts have already questioned that claim.
Under NRL rules, players showing any signs of concussion must be withdrawn, but Tonga’s protocols appear to have failed. The case has reignited debate about whether player welfare is being properly prioritised in international fixtures — especially for smaller nations that lack the same medical oversight as NRL clubs.
Culture, Leadership, and Accountability
Asked whether playing on Sundays — a sensitive cultural issue in Tonga — affected performance, captain Addin Fonua-Blake dismissed it, saying simply, “We just got beaten to the punch in both games.” His comments reflected a team aware that its problems are internal, not cultural.
For fans, however, the concern runs deeper. Since the High Court ruling, Tonga XIII has lacked visible leadership and transparency. Woolf’s insistence that he will continue coaching next year, despite ongoing controversy and poor form, only adds to doubts about direction.
The absence of governance oversight, coupled with administrative silence, has left supporters disillusioned. The Sea of Red once symbolised unity and faith — now it risks fading into frustration.
