The divide and rule of Tongan Rugby

Never met a Fifita: While Mr Fifita declares that certain matters in his letter appear amusing to him, it is of no surprise that I have answered a letter from someone of that name penned under the email address "Mystryman...".

I have not spoken to a Mr Fifita in relation to Tonga Rugby League matters, nor do I recall stumbling upon any person of that name since the tour to Australia, England and France. Therefore, I am not sure who should be the more bemused - the writer who assumes a hidden identity, the writer responding to the inflammatory remarks, or the reader who searches for correct information and knowledge on important matters in Tonga. It would be a travesty of fairness if Mr Fifita would continue to hide behind his designated nom de plume, when soliciting a response to his tirade of fallacious comment and pathetic opinion. Further, it would be a greater injustice if the Editor were not to print my response and allow such trivial nonsense to be published by Mr Fifita unanswered and unopposed.

Firstly, we did not sack Duane Mann, nor did we terminate his arrangement with the Tonga Rugby League. Duane submitted his resignation upon specific terms and conditions on the 9th June and the Board of the League subsequently accepted it (a copy of his email can be produced). Mr Fifita is correct in his assertions that Willie Wolfgramm was terminated from his position as co-coach of Tonga Rugby League. Jim Dymock was then appointed coach and subsequently our Board empowered Jim to appoint his own assistant, his coaching staff and physiotherapist. We wanted Jim Dymock to be comfortable with his coaching staff and we were fortunate that Jim engaged the professional services of 3 trainers and a physiotherapist from the Sydney Roosters NRL Club.

Mr Fifita has portrayed an illusory position that simply is without basis and foundation in regards to the appointments, resignation and dismissal of Willie Wolfgramm. Further, I had been involved with the Tongan Rugby League for far longer than Mr Fifita represents, which includes my participation in the selection of players from Tonga who participated in the Pacific Rim Tournament at the end of January, beginning of February 2006. Also, I had selected and coached the Tonga Domestic XIII that played the touring

Australian Universities XIII in 2005. Notwithstanding the aforementioned position, my involvement in Tonga Rugby League dates back further than Mr Fifita assumes, as the Editor may well appreciate given his informed knowledge of the game in Tonga.

As a further angst to those issues published by Mr Fifita, it is my employment that has enabled funding of the Tonga NRL and has been an important source for the crucial sponsorship of Tongan Rugby League, both when it was sponsored by Tongasat and now Global Insurance. Further, with the position I hold within Leiola, it was greatly appreciated that Her Royal Highness Princess Pilolevu Tuita, Ross Chapman and the Board considered sponsoring a substantial amount of funds for the Tonga Rugby League trip late last year. As such, I am not sure how Mr Fifita arrives at the position that I would entice my employers to sponsor their funds and then seek to embezzle the same. It is an utter nonsense and without appropriate facts to establish a callous position - therefore Mr Fifita, your statements are not only incorrect but a pathetic attempt to dispense suspicion, cause hatred and ridicule.

In terms of the funds obtained, they were considerable and have been accounted for. The Tonga National Rugby League has been audited over the past few years and the receipt of payment will be reviewed by the auditor. Finally, the Board and Clubs will then be in a position to examine the extent of the expenses and receipts for last year's tour, which were scrutinised by the Secretary and the Deputy Chairman who accompanied the team on tour. It will not be under the scrutiny of any anonymous person who chooses to make reckless comment regarding funds of the Tonga NRL without proper foundation. Unlike Mr Fifita, the player payments which were signed for by each touring player, as well as hotel and sundry expenses are not fictitious, nor are the expenses that Paula Taumoepeau as General Manager for Leiola made direct to suppliers such as Burly Sekem.

From Tonga we took 15 players from various clubs to trial for the Tongan National Team in Australia. From that 15, 4 were initially selected by Jim and then the number was reduced to 2. The final breakdown of players that represented Tonga were - 2 from Tonga, 1 from New Zealand and the remaining 23 were from Australia. The 6 players that Mr Fifita claims that they had left the team, were never selected to the National Team. They were required to return to Tonga under the terms of their arrangement with the Australian High Commission at the expiry of their visas. Unfortunately for Tonga Rugby League, 9 players did return and now we are faced with the possibility of players being refused visas to Australia for Rugby League purposes. Their desire to breach the terms and conditions of their visas had nothing to do with the allegations set out in Mr Fifita's correspondence.

I further challenge Mr Fifita to divulge communication from Duane Mann and Willie Wolfgramm that they had obtained sponsorship in the region of T$150,000 - because they had never submitted any such notion to the Board of Tonga Rugby League. Again, another false and disparaging statement from Mr Fifita.

Finally, I have no interest in applying for a position with the Rugby Union, nor have I considered such an interest at all. Your advice is flawed and seemingly detached from reality. Your comments will not deter me from assisting the Rugby League and ensuring that we continue to build on the

proud record that we have obtained over the years. You ignore the fact that we qualified first in the Pacific Region for the World Cup, we beat France 48-10 for the first time in difficult conditions and challenged England for a final where we have never been before. All post Duane Mann and Willie Wolfgramm era - so why don't you leave the decision making of Tongan Rugby League to people who contribute to the welfare of the game in Tonga, because I am sure that people here would like to know what a generous philanthropist you are to the game!

From your letter I assume that more than one person will be pleasantly aroused, but for my part your comments will not discourage me, rather it will be a resolute stand that I take against such a pithy and venomous attack.

Please ensure that you disclose your true identity in future, as opposed to being cloaked in secrecy to hide your timid and fledgling character. Because it surely is a poor and uninformed position when you seek to publish matters that you have no intimate knowledge of and concerning Tonga Rugby League. Or was it venacular intended for the Rugby Union? - either way it was misinformed and a set of fallacious statements aimed at encouraging people to embark on a debate on Tonga Rugby League matters. We want informed and positive debate, not vicious personal attacks. - William Edwards, Director/Manager Tonga NRL XIII, Tonga National Rugby League Inc Soc.

TNRL did no wrong: The Tonga National Rugby League TNRL raise our concern and disappointment with the press for not contacting the TNRL to discuss the content of Mr. Fifita’s letter before it was published. The allegations made by Mr. Fifita are materially false and misleading and those allegations made in respect of funding for the tour to Australia and Europe allegedly misused by Mr. Edwards was also false. The Tonga National Rugby League did not sack Duane Mann or terminate any arrangement between him and the TNRL. Duane submitted his resignation upon specific terms and conditions and the TNRL accepted it. Willie Wolfgramm’s roll as a co-coach of the Tonga Rugby League was terminated and consequently we appointed Mr. Jimmy Dymock to become the new coach for the Mate Ma’a Tonga team. Mr. Edwards has done great in managing the tour to Australia and Europe late last year resulted in the Mate Ma’a Tonga to become the first team to qualify to the 2008 world cup. Mr. Edwards has contributed his time and effort towards the development of this sport with out pay and we should congratulate him for a job well done. - Stan Moheloa, Chairman - TNRL