England have just reached the Rugby Union World Cup final for the fourth time, but in Rugby League it's not been so good for Great Britain.
Great Britain received a rude awakening on their return to international Rugby League today when they were beaten 14-6 in their opening tour match by a Tonga Invitational XIII in Hamilton, New Zealand.
After being mothballed for 12 years, the Lions returned with high hopes for their tour of New Zealand and Papua New Guinea but instead they became the latest victims of the rise of Tonga.
Although a legal dispute between the old governing body and the International Rugby League meant the hosts were forced to play under an Invitational banner, the game was given full Test-match status and the near full-strength Tongans showed their brilliant 2017 World Cup exploits were no fluke.
Kristian Woolf's men beat the Kiwis on their way to the last four two years ago before pushing England all the way in a dramatic semi-final.
And their display in their first meeting with Great Britain proved beyond doubt they are worthy of tier one status.
Great Britain received a rude awakening on their return to international Rugby League today when they were beaten 14-6 in their opening tour match by a Tonga Invitational XIII in Hamilton, New Zealand.
After being mothballed for 12 years, the Lions returned with high hopes for their tour of New Zealand and Papua New Guinea but instead they became the latest victims of the rise of Tonga.
Although a legal dispute between the old governing body and the International Rugby League meant the hosts were forced to play under an Invitational banner, the game was given full Test-match status and the near full-strength Tongans showed their brilliant 2017 World Cup exploits were no fluke.
Kristian Woolf's men beat the Kiwis on their way to the last four two years ago before pushing England all the way in a dramatic semi-final.
And their display in their first meeting with Great Britain proved beyond doubt they are worthy of tier one status.