October 17, 2007                                        News You Can Trust!!                                      Volume 7

Tonga rugby moves forward despite propaganda

Some government ministers and former Tonga rugby board members are using local and international media to propagandize rugby affairs in the island kingdom.  And foreign media are quoting statements from former board members, and former employees, who during their employment or term of office ransacked rugby in the nation, to its poorest level.

On June 1^st, 2007, a group of 6 men arrived at the Tonga Rugby Union office claiming they were the new board and demanding to open the board room for their meeting.  They held their meeting in the lounge area for approximately an hour.  They called the media to take pictures and broadcast on the government media that they are the new board. From that day and their supposed first meeting, they have not set foot in the TRU office.  The board chaired by Sangster Saulala is still in tact and running the affairs of rugby.  The current CEO, Saia Fonua and his employees are still running the office operations.

Claims by international media that there is a “new board” lead by nobles Nuku and Tu’ipelehake are false.  And every element of media ethics is violated by these unfounded claims.  They also claim that the bulk of the clubs are supportive of this “new board.”  Does 3 clubs out of the nearly 40 make up the bulk? 

The irony of the matter is, the people who are trying to force their way into the rugby office are either former employees or former board members whom have been identified by the public to be power and money hungry people.  And the rugby clubs were very aware of their misconduct, voted them out early last year, and voted in the current board.

This board has lifted rugby to its highest level in Tonga’s rugby history.  Prior to their inception last year, Tonga was ranked 20 in world rugby.  This year, they improved to  stand at number 14 and are targeting number 10 by the end of the world cup.  Tonga’s Sevens team has climbed to its highest ever.  In the Pacific Rugby Cup, Tonga made it to the finals; in the PNC Tonga’s beat Fiji in Lautoka, for the first time after forty years.  At the Jr All Blacks vs Tonga game, the turnout was the “best crowd of the tournament”, and they collected the largest amount of money in all the games in Tonga.  The turnout and the gate money reflect the support of the public for the current board.

At present, the board is running a Development Cup tournament, where 30 clubs are participating.  It is currently at the quarter finals stage, and they are communicating daily with the ‘Ikale Tahi team while they are overseas competing in the PNC.  When the team returns after next week, they will hold a trial game to select the team for the World Cup.

The board is grateful for the support of the IRB and the people of Tonga.  They are committed to developing rugby and helping the players find a career in the sport.  And in response to claims from the opposing side, chairman Sangster Saulala said, “We are focused on the players and the World Cup, and I just hope for the support of everyone.”