Mate Ma'a Tonga rugby league

Over $US342,000 unaccounted for in Tonga NRL funds

The Tonga National Rugby League has issued a statement that over $US342,000 was spent from an offshore account for the 2017/2018 financial years without any report.

This was confirmed by auditors Kingdom Accounting Solutions that did work on the TNRL financials between 2012 and 2018.

These were the years in which the former board was accused of financial mismanagement were taken to court.

Acting Prime Minister Semisi Sika headed the old regime.

Unable to produce an audited report, the old board was dismantled under court order and a new board was formed.

Tonga's Woolf takes charge of Newcastle Knights

Brown last week announced he would leave the club at the end of the season but tendered his immediate resignation on Tuesday after his players were accused of lacking effort in Saturday's 42 point loss to the West Tigers, which all but killed off their finals hopes.

Newcastle chief executive Philip Gardner was at a loss to explain the crushing defeat, which left the Knights in 11th spot, three points outside the top eight, and needing a minor miracle to make the finals.