RUGBY league’s growing influence in the Pacific has been underscored by the president of Tonga’s governing body becoming the country’s prime minister.
Lord Fakafanua, who heads the IRL-approved body which was installed in 2019, was elected by MPs just before Christmas as the next PM.
Fakafanua, 40, won a run-off with incumbent Dr ‘Aisake Eke by 16 votes to 10 after their party won November elections.
As a lord, Fakafanua is a member of the country’s noble class and constitutional reforms placed greater power in the hands of the general public in 2010.
He is only the second noble to hold Tonga’s highest office since then.
Tonga’s parliament has 17 people’s representatives and nine nobles. The country remains a monarchy and only the people’s representatives are elected by the public.
Tonga made it to the final of the men’s Pacific Championships, where they were beaten 20-14 by Australia, last year.