Tonga Rugby Union faces financial oblivion

The Tonga Rugby Union is facing financial oblivion if it fails to sign up to a new governing arrangement.

World Rugby is set to pull all funding to the TRU if it fails to sign a tripartite agreement to work alongside the Tonga government and global governing body by the end of the day.

The agreement would see an interim management group take charge of the Union until long-standing governance issues are resolved.

Pacific Rugby Players chairman Hale T Pole said the TRU had already missed two deadlines from World Rugby.

‘‘There was a deadline for last Friday then it moved to Wednesday and now it’s for today that they’ve got to sign the [agreement] for how TRU is going to run.’’

The former ‘Ikale Tahi international said the dispute was having a damaging effect on local rugby players.

‘‘The guys overseas they’re all right to look after because they come straight into the ‘Ikale Tahi team, but it’s just watching all the local kids and our local premier comp in Tonga with all the nonsense going on – a lot of players are missing out on opportunities and coaches as well and clubs just dying.’’

Fe’ao Vunipola had been interim chief executive of the Tonga Rugby Union for the past five years but a permanent appointment appeared no closer.

T Pole said TRU president Siaosi Pohiva allegedly resigned on Wednesday out of frustration only to come back two days later, in an effort to ensure the agreement is signed and World Rugby continue their support. RNZ