Tongan World Cup officials have been granted permission to have a court rule on their bid to have Parramatta prop Fuifui Moimoi and Wests Tigers winger Taniela Tuiaki represent them in the World Cup starting on Saturday.

The Tongan Rugby League sought leave from the Equity Division of the Federal Court in Sydney to overturn a ruling by the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) that the pair were inelgible to represent the island nation because they played for New Zealand in 2007.

Tongan officials claim they should be free to play as Moimoi was born in Tonga and Tuiaki's parents are from the Pacific nation.

Legal papers advising the RLIF of the hearing to take place tomorrow morning are due to be served by 1pm.

Tonga's first game is against Ireland on Monday night at Parramatta Stadium.