Tonga’uiha sure Pacific franchise would be smash hit

SOANE Tonga’uiha reckons a combined ‘Pacific Force’ Super Rugby team could quickly challenge the old order and become a big hit on the islands.

Suggestions that a joint team involving Tonga, Fiji and Samoa could be created as part of a Super Rugby restructuring in 2021 have surfaced amid reports that more South African sides are set to quit the tournament and migrate north, potentially to the PRO14.

Tongan Tonga’uiha, a member of the original ‘Pacific Islanders’ international team that pushed Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa close in 2004, claims only fear among those superpower nations prevented a Super Rugby team being created right then and there.

He told TRP: “A Pacific Force team in Super Rugby would be good. That was the thought behind our team in 2004 and we did well, but I don’t think they thought it was going to be fair to have a team with the quality of players we had in Super Rugby.

“They fought shy of it and after that we only had a few one-off Tests before it was scrapped in 2008. But the Pacific islands need a team to represent them and there’s so much raw talent in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga who’d love an opportunity without going to Europe.”

Tonga’uiha added: “The Jaguares are starting to become established now and it shouldn’t take an island team long to follow.

“The islands live and breathe rugby – it’s the number one sport. If it got the go ahead and was properly funded, they could get off to a fast start.”

Tonga’uiha, 36, has called time on his full-time career and will join National One side Ampthill as playercoach next season. He added: “I played in three World Cups, helped establish Northampton in the top four of the Premiership and helped Bristol get promoted last season, so it’s a good time to sign-off.

“I’ll be coaching the forwards at Ampthill as well as playing and hopefully I can help the club achieve their ambitions by pushing towards the Championship.

“They’ve finished in the top four for the last three seasons so there’s a good chance of promotion if everyone buys into it.”