The Tongan Rugby Union says it has averted a major blow to its world cup aspirations after five players were given visas to Australia following their initial rejection.
The team is due to leave Nuku'ualofa on Thursday.
The chairman of the Tonga Rugby Union, Tuivanuavou Vaea, says the players have now had their passports sent back to Tonga so they can be stamped.
Mr Vaea says it was a case of miscommunication between the immigration offices in Australia, New Zealand and Tonga.
However he says the problem was also compounded by the mass defection of the Vava'u rugby team that recently toured New Zealand.
