The chairman of the Tongan Advisory Board says petitions and protests aimed at the referee after their contentious Rugby League World Cup defeat to England "shouldn't be allowed to happen".
Malino Mako says while he understands the feelings of Tongan supporters, he encourages them to keep the good things achieved at the tournament "intact".
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He told The AM Show on Monday morning the demonstrations were inappropriate, despite the hurt.
"I think we need to understand the feelings of our fans, the way the game ended," he said.
"Having said that, sport is always about a winner and a loser, and sadly we ended up the loser at the end.
"But I think the ref should've gone to the [video referee] - that's the normal thing for the ref to do. He didn't. But now it's history."
Mr Mako says a petition calling on officials to explain the decision, along with protests after the game, are "not on".
"We need to leave everything on a high, because what our fans and our team have shown New Zealand is that it can be done at that level," he explained.
"All the positive things we've achieved in the last four weeks, we want to keep intact. All those comments are inappropriate, and shouldn't be allowed to happen."
Tonga has received immense support throughout the World Cup, and Mr Mako puts that down to the bond the team enjoys with its fans.
He says New Zealand fans could probably learn a thing or two from their Tongan counterparts.
"I observed what happened with New Zealand, who don't have that [unity with their fans]. New Zealand need to invite a few Tongans to help them."
Newshub.
