Tonga's league authorities are calling for fairer treatment after receiving virtually no proceeds from the historic Test against the Kangaroos in October.
The match was a sellout thanks to Tongan fans but it’s the NRL which have reaped the financial benefits.
Unlike the Kiwis v Kangaroos game the week before ‑ which saw an estimated $500,000 loss ‑ this Test match at the same Auckland venue was a sellout, with takings from twenty eight thousand Mt Smart tickets.
Tonga Rugby League president Semisi Sika said because the NRL organised it, Tonga saw little of it.
The NRL told One NEWS it only made a "small profit" from the game but in a confidential independent analysis, obtained by One NEWS, it's estimated the match made around a million dollars after expenses.
A leaked NRL report also says the Tongans were treated in an unfair and likely underhand manner, warranting an inquiry.
The Kangaroos players were paid a $5,000 match fee each ‑ that is a quarter what they usually earn but Mate Ma’a Tonga only got $3,000, leaving it to their government to top it up.
[Source: TVNZ]
