Tonga Rugby Union

Fe'ao Vunipola thanked local unions for putting their faith in him and interim Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva, who was elected President and Chair of the TRU, while six others were elected to the Board.

"It's huge, in my personal view, that the clubs in Tonga still have faith in myself and our Prime Minister to be leading our Union going forward, particularly with the World Cup only two years away, for us to be well prepared all for the best interests of Tongan Rugby so it is huge, priceless."

Interim CEO Fe’ao Vunipola was re-elected as vice president.

Other members of the TRU committee who were elected yesterday are Tu’i Uata, ‘Aisea ‘Aholelei, Moimoi Fakahua,Tuipulotu Lauaki,Sione Vuki and Hon Poasi Tei.

Vunipola told Kaniva News this morning he was happy with the results.

“I thank God for he has urged rugby representatives to re-elect me and the Prime Minister so that we can complete two years for us to work for the Union before the Rugby World Cup 2019.

The judgement effectively ruled out any decision or appointment made at the meeting, in May of last year, after the amended constitution was accepted as illegal.

This included the appointment of Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva as TRU President, with the positions of the Board, CEO and President declared void and the original version of the constitution to be recognised.

The former Tonga Rugby Union CEO, Fuka Kitekei'aho, said a new administration should be sorted by the end of the year.

Siale Piutau will captain the side with Toutai Kefu as head coach. Debuting players include Sione Vailanu and Shinnosuke Tuumotooa.

The ‘Ikale Tahi will play their first game against the Barbarians on 11 November in Limerick, Ireland and will play Japan in Tolouse, France on 19 November. Their last fixture will be against Romania in the Romanian capital Bucharest on 26 November.

The team is as follows:

In a ruling delivered earlier this month, Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said the Tonga Rugby Union "failed to comply with clear provisions in its constitution," at a meeting in May 2016, "as a result of which unlawful decisions were made which are significant and affect the rights of the members."

Any amendments to the Union's constitution must be passed by 75 percent of representatives attending the meeting.

The 'Ikale Tahi have not played on home soil since 2009 and a scheduled home test against Wales in June has been moved to New Zealand because the field was deemed unfit for play.

Representatives from World Rugby and Turf Management New Zealand visited Nuku'alofa last week to assess the playing field.

Tonga Rugby CEO Fe'ao Vunipola said the governing body has given them the go ahead to begin preparations for hosting Samoa and Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup in July, pending a final sign-off.

 Digicel’s CEO Mr. Ben Kealy who was also a past President of Bective Rangers Football Club in Ireland says he is privileged to have two young upcoming talents represent the company. 

Fe’ao Vunipola, President of the Tonga Rugby Union was also present while Timote Paseka and Patelesio ‘One’one signed the contracts.

Digicel wishes the boys all the best in the future and opportunities ahead of them.

Photo: Tonga Rugby Union President, Mr. Fe’ao Vunipola, Timote Paseka, Patelesio ‘One’one and Digicel Tonga CEO, Mr. Ben Kealy. 

Wales Rugby Union CEO Martyn Phillips said this week that Tonga is nowhere near where it needs to be to host a game.

Radio Tonga reported Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni also said the government tendered construction for the Teufaiva national stadium in the hope of getting it prepared for the Wales test but the few companies who submitted their bids lacked the professionalism to carry out the work.

Sovaleni said they are giving bidding parties a chance to complete the requirements this week.

TRU CEO Fe'ao Vunipola said he still thinks Tonga can host the game

Johns will take on a mentoring role with the Tongan side after reaching out to assistant coach David Tangata-Toa.

The legendary halfback played with David’s brother Andrew at the Knights in the mid-90s and through the friendship made enquires to assist Tonga in the lead-up to the Polynesian Cup against Samoa at Pirtek Stadium on May 7.

RNZI reports the three parties met in Nuku'alofa two weeks ago to address administration and governance issues, the union's debt and outstanding legal cases.

The interim chair of the Tonga Rugby Union, Fe'ao Vunipola, said the government has agreed to settle the Union's debts with Carinat Sports Marketing and Mount Smart Stadium.