Wales tour farce asTonga clash yet to be confirmed
WALES still do not know where or when they will be playing Tonga in their opening summer Test... just seven weeks away from the game.
And it’s unclear whether either of the matches on their summer tour will be shown on television in this country, with broadcasters also being forced to wait.
Wales are scheduled to play Tonga in the Auckland area of New Zealand on Friday, June 16, and then Samoa in Apia eight days’ later.
It was decided some months ago that Wales would not be travelling to Tonga to play the opening Test.
There had been concerns over the available medical and ground facilities at Nuku’alofa’s Teufaiva Sport Stadium, which is being redeveloped.
And World Rugby confirmed in February that the fixture would be moved to another country, with doubts, in particular, over whether the pitch would be fit for purpose.
The plan was to switch the game to New Zealand, with the word being it would be played in the Auckland area on Friday, June 16, the day before the Lions take on the Maori All Blacks in Rotorua.
Various venues have been suggested for the fixture, including the North Harbour Stadium, in Albany, the ECOlight Stadium, in Pukekohe, and the famous Eden Park. But there is still no confirmation. The situation has been further complicated by reports that the match could be part of a double header, with New Zealand taking on Samoa at the same ground on the same day.
The All Blacks are keen on having a warm-up match ahead of their opening Test against the Lions the following week and the New Zealand RU confirmed earlier this month it was in discussions with the Samoan Union over a possible fixture.
This followed Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi announcing that the match would go ahead.
Just to add to the mix, Eurosport actually have a New Zealand v Samoa game down in their listings for Thursday, June 15, with the venue named as the ECOlight Stadium in Pukekohe, a town at the southern edge of the Auckland region.
But there is still no definite confirmation of a fixture taking place, whether it will be part of a double header with Tonga-Wales or where or when either Test are likely to be staged.
It all leaves the Welsh Rugby Union, caretaker coach Robin McBryde and the rest of the tour management in the dark.
They are working on the basis of facing Tonga in the Auckland region on Friday, June 16, and they have arranged to stay in that area in the build-up.
The Western Mail has contacted World Rugby for clarification.
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