Tongan Rugby players have experienced difficulties when going on rugby tours including the World Cup, but rugby player, Sione Kalamafoni (32) thinks having the right person running things in Tonga will help.

“I don’t know how to get money in the rugby system in Tonga, from World Rugby or locally, but it would start with the right person running things back in the islands,” he told Rugbypass.

Sione, who has 37 caps for Tonga and played at three World Cups, has seen team-mates fall to poverty and corruption.

“The players are out there on the street, pretty much begging for money to help them prepare for tours and World Cups” he said. “When people donated money, the players didn’t see it.”

Those are big problems for kids coming up or young players that rely on rugby for providing for their families, he said. 

“For me, there is almost an expectation that when you go into a tour, it’s not going to be perfect. You are expecting to have the money late or not at all.”

Sometimes, coaches tell players “we’re going to get nothing, if you choose to come, that’s great”. Almost all players that get called up to go on tour "will go just because of the morale of the team and the boys".

“But sometimes when it’s bad, it’s because they promise something and we’re not getting anything,” said Sione.

But if we have the right person running things back home, then we won’t have those issues, he added.

Sione grew up in a house with no internet and didn’t really know a lot about rugby.

“I started playing in a team when I was 15, 16 years old. It was a dream for me to be able to play professionally.”

Sione has been in the UK for a decade now and currently plays for Scarlets, in Wales.

He recently received his UK citizenship along with his wife and young children.

“Most of us Tongans, we try to go overseas for a better life for our families. My parents, most of my family, are in America. It’s not only for us but for our kids, giving them the opportunities and education and healthcare and a brighter future.”

Meanwhile in Tonga, reforms are underway at Tonga Rugby Union with Peter Harding recently selected as its Chief Executive Officer.

Peter has been in affiliation with the development of Tongan Rugby, since at least 2012, either as the High Performance General Manager for the Tongan Rugby Union or the Team Manager for the ‘Ikale Tahi, Tonga’s National Rugby team.