The 'Ikale Tahi's participation in the Rugby World Cup 2011 "is not in doubt", the International Rugby Board stated yesterday, 24 August, after seeking "urgent assurance" from Tonga's Prime Minister that there had been no government interference in the composition of the board.

The IRB issued its "clarification" in response to public concern over the possibility of Tonga being banned from participating the Rugby World Cup because of an ill-conceived proposal tabled in the Tongan parliament last week to appoint a new chairman and a deputy chairman of the Tonga Rugby Union Authority board.

But the IRB made it clear that, "Any amendment to the composition of the TRUA Board requires IRB approval and any such motion, if accepted, would be considered a breach of the TRUA's constitution and IRB by-laws," and that it "could adversely affect the governance and stability of the entity, and prompt a review of IRB Membership by the IRB Council."

The IRB Head of Communications, Dominic Rumbles stated that the IRB had written to the Tongan Prime Minister "outlining its concerns and seeking urgent assurance that there has been no government interference following a proposal tabled in the Tonga Parliament last week to make changes to the composition of the TRUA Board."

Parliamentary petition

The Tongan Parliament on 16 August voted 13-4, in favour of a petition for the appointment of a new chairman and deputy chairman of the TRUA.

But 'Aminiasi Kefu, the Deputy Chairman of the TRUA and Tonga's Solicitor General, said that if the TRUA Act was amended in order to implement the decision of parliament then it would have been a breach of TRUA's constitution and IRB By Laws. However, he interpreted the parliamentary decision as "just a recommendation".

Racist remarks

The Tongan Parliament spent days arguing over whether it was right for the House to debate such a petition, with the intention of replacing the current chairman, Bob Tuckey, an Australian. When the debate in the House got out of hand the Deputy Prime Minister warned members to watch their racist remarks about Bob Tuckey, because coming from members of parliament it could have a negative impact on Tonga's relations with its metropolitan neighbours.

Then on Saturday August 20 the TRUA announced that Bob Tuckey had verbally resigned and left Tonga because of a disagreement with head coach, 'Isitolo Maka for not following procedures. The final straw was when he selected a player for the RWC 'Ikale Tahi squad, but the player had not followed the proper procedures to be eligible to be a member of the 'Ikale Tahi.

A new chairman of the TRUA, one of the directors of the board, Rev Tevita Latailakepa was appointed as Chairman and on Tuesday, 23 August he announced Tonga Rugby World Cup squad, excluding the player that the coach and the former chairman disagreed over.

The TRUA Board is meeting today at lunchtime on the issues.

The IRB in its statement also thanked Bob Tuckey "for the excellent work that he undertook in driving the governance reform programme within the Tonga Rugby Union Authority and preparing the Tongan national team for Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand.

"The IRB would like to reiterate that Tonga's participation at Rugby World Cup 2011 is not in doubt. The IRB is entirely satisfied with the work of the TRUA, which continues to meet all operational and financial reporting requirements. The Annual Review of the TRUA High Performance Programme outlined significant progress in the preparation of the Ikale Tahi for Rugby's showcase event in New Zealand."