By Pesi Fonua

The signing of the Tripartite Agreement between the World Rugby and the Tonga Rugby Union (TRU) last Friday, 25 September was a breath of life for Tonga’s Rugby Union.

Manu Mataele, the Tongatapu representative to the Board of the Tonga Rugby Union, said he was with the President of the Tonga Rugby Union, Siaosi Pohiva, during their signing of the agreement.

Manu said that there was feeling of great joy among members of the Tonga Rugby Union, over the signing, which means the support of the World Rugby will be continued.

Hon. Vuna Fa'otusia, the Minister of Justice, who represents government on the Board of the Tonga Rugby Union, however, remains in New Zealand for medical treatment.

In the meantime, Hon. Poasi Tei, represents government in the Tonga Rugby Union, and said he was happy with the agreement.

World Rugby and the Tongan Government are the two main financiers of the Tonga Rugby Union.

The World Rugby however, has contributed the most financial support, for the ‘Ikale Tahi, Women’s Rugby, the Seven-a-side team and the Under 20’s team.

Manu is convinced that the fallout between the World Rugby and the Tonga Rugby Union was because Fe'ao as the Interim Chief Executive Officer and the Treasurer of the Tonga Rugby Union was using World Rugby financial assistance for the development of local rugby, whereas World Rugby financial assistance was intended for Tonga's international teams such as the 'Ikale Tahi, Women's Rugby and the Seven-a-side team.

In fact, the World Rugby financial assistance fund no longer goes straight to the Tonga Rugby Union; it is currently managed by local accountant, hired by the World Rugby to manage their funding.

President resigned

It was a bumpy ride for Siaosi to finally sign the Agreement. It was initially scheduled for him to sign the agreement on Wednesday 23 September, but instead he resigned as the President. Then in a turn-around on Thursday, he reclaimed his presidency, then on Friday he signed the Agreement.

Matangi Tonga tried to get hold of Siaosi, to find out what happened. He finally answered his mobile phone yesterday afternoon, but once I identified who was calling, his phone went off and has not been answered on recalls.

Siaosi was elected by Fe’ao Vunipola as the new President of the Tonga Rugby Union in January 2020, taking over from his father, Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva who passed away in August 2019.

Manu, a TRU board director, said they had held a number of meetings since he and Siaosi signed the Agreement with the World Rugby, and the Moana Pasifika agreement on 25 September.

By signing the Tripartite Agreement they committed to selecting a Chief Executive Officer, and a Treasurer.

Currently, Fe'ao Vunipola holds three positions as: Vice President, the Interim Chief Executive Officer, and the Treasurer of the Tonga Rugby Union.

Manu stressed that they have to fulfil their commitment to the World Rugby within the next few weeks "to get things rolling".

Moana Pasifika

The Moana Pasifika is a Pacific Islands Rugby Team, made up of Tongan, Samoan and Fijian players to participate in a Super Rugby competition to be launched in New Zealand next year.

The Moana Pasifika sounds like an exciting scheme, between the New Zealand Rugby Union and the Tongan Rugby Union.