Tonga perform the haka before facing Australia in 2019.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
It comes after the Court of Arbitration for Sport last month dismissed an appeal by the former governing body, Tonga National Rugby League, over its expulsion from the International Rugby League (IRL).
Admitting a new Tongan member was not discussed at the IRL Board meeting two weeks ago but Secretary General Danny Kazandjian said the Asia Pacific Confederation will now assume formal responsibility for speaking to all Tongan parties on both the issue of the new membership and the world cup campaign.
He said there is no requirement for an IRL member to be in place in time for the Rugby League World Cup, which is scheduled to kick off in October, but an entity must sign the tournament participation agreement.