Wales Rugby (WRU) has announced that it will not play in Tonga this year because of doubts that the pitch at Teufaiva stadium would be upgraded in time. The stated that arrangements were being made to relocate the Wales-Tonga test to another country.

"The difficult decision to move the match was made after it was confirmed that ground works in relation to the redevelopment of the national stadium in Nuku'alofa were running behind schedule, with the result that the pitch may not be fit for purpose in time."

The news comes as a great disappointment for Tongans, as the 'Ikale Tahi have not played in Tonga for over 7 years because Teufaiva Stadium is deemed to be not up to standard by the World Rugby. The last home test match was on 13 June 2009 against [2]Fijii.

Disappointment

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont stated "World Rugby shares in Tonga's disappointment that this match will be moved given the huge effort made by the TRU to date, but the decision was jointly agreed by the WRU and World Rugby with the objective of ensuring that the fixture can go ahead albeit in a different location.

"We are working with our friends at the Tonga Rugby Union to deliver a match venue befitting of such an occasion and we remain committed to supporting the union with future Test match hosting opportunities."

Wales had originally planned to play a test match in Tonga on 17 June as part of it's tour of southern hemisphere tour, given an understanding that Teufaiva Stadium would be upgraded in time for the test. As part of the same tour, Wales will play Samoa in Apia on 24 June. 

Welsh Rugby Union chairman Gareth Davies stated "Everyone involved in the planning for this tour wanted the game to be hosted in Tonga and this is the reason we have delayed before confirming the fixture.

"The Tonga Rugby Union should be commended for their efforts in relation to the redevelopment of their national stadium but unfortunately time has proved to be against us all and, although difficult, it is the right decision to move the game."

Delays

The upgrading of the Teufaiva Stadium, estimated to cost $24 million Pa’anga was scheduled to start in January 2016 but was cancelled by the Prime Minister Pohiva. It marked the beginning of a feud between PM Pohiva and some members of three committees set up to oversee Tonga’s hosting of the 2019 Pacific Games, with Teufaiva Stadium as the national stadium. 

Since then the Organising Committee has been in a limbo as the PM and a Government Technical Advisory Committee took over the overseeing of the upgrading of the Teufaiva Stadium.

The PM is also Tonga’s Minister of Sports, and the president of Tonga’s Rugby Union.

Earlier in February the Prime Minister told a press conference that Tonga could host the test match and that a company had won the bid to upgrade Teufaiva.

However a representative of the companies said at the same press conference that, in fact, an agreement had not been signed for the upgrading of Teufaiva.

Related article:Tonga will be ready to host Tonga v Wales and 2019 Pacific Games, PM says [3]