King Tupou VI has congratulated the pioneers of Mate Maʻa Tonga on the national rugby league team’s 40th anniversary as a long-running trademark dispute continues to leave the current Tonga XIII without its historic name ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
The controversy has resurfaced as supporters continue to question why a name derived from an old Tongan saying and associated with the national team for four decades is now subject to trademark rights held by Tonga National Rugby League Inc (TNRL), prompting the former governing body to clarify its ownership and rules governing the name’s use.
In a congratulatory message issued through the Royal Palace for the 40th Anniversary Capping Ceremony, King Tupou VI paid tribute to the original national rugby league team and its contribution to Tonga’s sporting history.
“40 years ago, the first Mate Ma’a Tonga Rugby team took to the field, representing Tonga with an unwavering level of passion, resilience and dedication,” the King said.
He acknowledged that the team’s performances had continued to inspire younger generations throughout the past four decades.
The King also congratulated the Tonga Mate Maʻa Tonga Old Boys Association on reaching the milestone and extended his best wishes for a memorable and successful celebration.
The anniversary was celebrated in Auckland on 9–10 October, bringing together former players and supporters to commemorate four decades of Tongan rugby league.
The King’s message comes after Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukālala announced Tonga’s 24-player World Cup squad, coached by Kristian Woolf and featuring stars Jason Taumalolo, Addin Fonua-Blake, Isaiya Katoa and Tyson Frizell.
The team will compete under the name Tonga XIII when it opens its World Cup campaign against England in Perth on 17 October.
However, the World Cup preparations have renewed attention on the controversy surrounding the historic Mate Maʻa Tonga name, as the national team continues to compete internationally without an identity that generations of supporters have embraced with pride for its powerful meaning of being willing to die for Tonga.
The controversy has persisted despite repeated public statements by TNRL since last week insisting that the current national team is permitted to use the Mate Maʻa Tonga name.
TNRL Clarifies Trademark Usage Rules
In its latest statement on Monday, TNRL clarified that members of the public could use the Mate Maʻa Tonga name and logo for personal purposes, but commercial use required its permission.
The organisation maintained that its intention was to protect the name and associated intellectual property from commercial exploitation for private business interests.
It said revenue generated through the commercial use of the trademarks was intended to benefit rugby league players and support the development of the sport.
However, TNRL’s assurances have not resolved the disagreement over the current national team’s official use of the historic branding.
The current national rugby league team is officially known as Tonga XIII under the administration of Tonga Rugby League XIII (TRLXIII), the governing body recognised by International Rugby League (IRL).
TNRL, led by George Koloamatangi, retains registered trademark rights associated with the Mate Maʻa Tonga name and emblem, despite no longer being recognised as Tonga’s international rugby league governing body.
