Funds

New Zealand funds rehab centre for Tongan deportees

The move comes after Tonga criticised New Zealand and Australia over their controversial deportations of Tongan convicts, many of whom have spent little time in the Kingdom.

New Zealand's just approved 28,000 Tongan pa'anga, or around $17,000 Australian dollars, which will go towards funding a new centre run by Tonga's Dare to Dream Foundation, which has been providing support for people deported to the Kingdom for years.

The foundation's chair, 'Uhila-moe-Langi Fasi, said it was good news for deportees struggling in Tonga.

Israel Folau has 'bled Australian rugby of millions', claims former Wallaby Peter FitzSimons

FitzSimons - now a Sydney Morning Herald columnist and prominent broadcaster – gave Folau a spray on Nine's Sports Sunday television show.

He was incensed at Folau's assertion that he wanted an apology from Rugby Australia (RA) and an admission that they were wrong to sack him for posting on Instagram that homosexuals, among others, were headed for hell unless they repented.

FitzSimons' outburst was unleashed during his Sports Sunday appearance.

"Camera one on me," he said. Israel Folau and your demand for an apology… mate, bring it in tight.

TASANOC refuses to pay back loan, urges government to convert it into grant

The money was given to assist more than 50 athletes who arrived at Fu’amotu airport two years ago to find their names weren’t on the passenger list to PNG to represent Tonga during Pacific Games 2015.

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva said TASANOC has yet to pay back its loan.

TASANOC Secretary General Takitoa Taumoepeau has said the national sport authority’s AGM in 2015 had “challenged” the validity of the loan.

He said members of the AGM asked whether an individual or a private organisation could borrow money from government.

World Rugby and TRU meet to resolve “administrative” issues before funding released

In an email to Kaniva News the General Manager, Asia & Oceania Rugby, William Glenwright said “we have not yet agreed the 2016 Development and High Performance Investments to the Union”.

It was understood the World Rugby and TRU representatives are meeting in Nuku’alofa today.

World Rugby freezes Tongan funding ahead of crisis talks next week

In a similar scenario to what Samoa endured after strike action from the players in 2014, World Rugby is preparing to send a high-powered delegation to Tonga in the first week of April to address significant debt levels, multiple law suits and a lack of independent governance facing the troubled union.