28 Oct 2008

Former Kiwis cleared to play for Tonga

6:46 pm on 28 October 2008

The former Kiwis Fuifui Moimoi and Taniela Tuiaki have been cleared to play for Tonga at the rugby league world cup, if the side makes the semi finals.

The pair, who've played for Tonga previously, were initially ruled ineligible for the tournament as they played for New Zealand last year and players are only able to transfer international allegiance once every two years.

However the New South Wales Supreme Court has ruled that two-year time limit expires on November 12th, dating back to the last time they played for Tonga.

That means Parramatta prop Moimoi and Wests Tigers winger Tuiaki can play in the semi-finals, but not before.

Tonga are rated a good chance of making the semis but that's likely to hinge on whether they beat Samoa in their pool match on Friday.

Yesterday, the court refused an injunction that would have allowed the pair to play against Ireland in last night's game.