The reward was confirmed by the noble Thursday in a cultural ceremony which was attended by the two Mate Ma’a Tonga players.
Kaniva News reports the reward was one of the highest honours a king’s noble could award.
The formal ceremony began with presentation of the cultural practice of hāʻunga (baked food normally and formally presented as a welcome) for the rugby league stars.
It was presented with puaka tohos (big hogs) and followed with a formal speech by the matāpule who represented Lord Kalaniuvalu.