From: The Australian newspaper, July 21, 2005

Island of neglect

While the IRB sits on a fat surplus of more than $174 million, the battling Tongan Rugby Union has had to go cap in hand to the bank for a loan to survive the rest of the year.

Tongan rugby CEO Sakopo Lolohea has painted a disturbing picture of the fragile state of rugby in the Pacific island nation at a time when the game's governing body is flush with funds.

"We are living at the mercy of the bank at the moment," Lolohea told The Daily Telegraph.

Tonga is so broke that when Australian officials visited last weekend they had to hold the meeting at a hotel because all the chairs at the Tongan Rugby Union had been taken to the stadium for seating in the Test against Fiji.

Debts

Lolohea revealed that the Tongan Rugby Union had borrowed $150,000 just to make it through to December and now has debts totalling $300,000.

This despite the fact the IRB's annual report released this week showed a surplus of $174.9 million at the end of 2004.

The IRB appears reluctant to part with any money to help the cash-strapped islanders despite assurances by officials at the end of the 2003 World Cup that they had grand plans to help the minor nations.

Lolohea revealed that Tonga had applied for IRB funds in the past, but the only money they receive is their paltry annual grant of $343,000.

"But that money is now finished," Lolohea said. It has already been absorbed by World Cup qualifying games, their World Cup sevens team, the under-19s

World Cup, a development tour to Australia plus local administration costs.

"We asked them to assist our development team in February and they said they can't help because it would be an unfair advantage if they provide funding for us," Lolohea said.

European Tour

The Tongans embark on a European tour in November and are in such dire straits they have been forced to approach the French Rugby Union for assistance with their air fares.

"It's very tough to go on tour with no money," Lolohea said. "We might have to play France in Toulouse without any jerseys."

Many rugby identities believe it is shameful that a proud rugby nation such as Tonga finds itself in such a calamitous position.

Tonga, with a population of 99,200, has 8000 rugby players and has produced Wallaby stars Willie Ofahengaue and Toutai Kefu.

In 1973 Tonga beat Australia 16-11 in a Test in Brisbane.

The situation has taken its toll on the dedicated Lolehea, who has been battling away as CEO for the past four years.

"We are the worst off of all the Pacific Tier Two countries. I nearly resigned two weeks ago, it has been tough," he admitted.

Tonga has applied to the IRB for funds to start a high-performance unit and

will learn next month if that's been successful.

"Those things are fine, but operation-wise we need money now to help us survive," Lolohea said.

Shocked

The Tongans have at least received some support from Australia.

Last weekend ARU chairman Dilip Kumar, who is also an IRB delegate, visited the country along with NSW CEO Fraser Neill and NSW president Ron Graham to offer some assistance.

"No one from the IRB has been here before to see how we cope," Lolohea said.

"He didn't arrive with a bagful of money but had some good advice and he has been very helpful."

Kumar took time out from his schedule to look first hand at Tongan rugby and came away shocked by what he learned.

"They are so broke that our Saturday morning meeting which was planned for the Tongan Rugby Union offices had to be rescheduled to our hotel room because the chairs had been taken to the stadium for seats in the Test match," Kumar said. "I really felt sorry for them."