Center, 'Epeli Taione, the Chairman of the Board and on his left, the Deputy Chairman, Soape Tuiono; far left Uatesoni Halatoafa, and on the far right, Sione Kaitu'u, the Interim CEO of the board. Standing from the left, 'Isileli Fakatulolo, Tuifio Finau, 'Otenili Pifileti, Latiume Kaufusi and Manu Vunipola

'Epeli won the chairmansip seat after a fierce contest with the Prime Minister, Lord Tu'ivakano, the only other candidate for chairmanship, during the Annual General Meeting of the Tonga Rugby Union TRU at the Basilica, Nuku'alofa on Saturday, May 26.

The Chairman and the directors of the board met for the first time this afternoon, May 28 at the Dateline Hotel. During this inaugural meeting the board elected one of  the directors, Kaitu'u Fotu as the Interim Chief Executive Officer of the TRU.

The next board meeting is scheduled to be held, in two weeks time.

A new constitution for the establishment of the Tonga Rugby Union was unanimously adopted during a special meeting of the TRFU on April, 28.

The new Tonga Rugby Union Board of Directors are:

'Epeli Taione, Chairman

Soape Tu'iono, Vice Chairman

Uatesoni Halatoafa, Tongatapu representative

'Isileli Fakatulolo, Vava'u representative

Latiume Kaufusi, Ha'apai representative

Tuifio Finau, 'Eua representative

Manu Vunipola, Kolomotu'a representative

Kaitu'u Fotu, Kolofo'ou representative

Vuna Fa'otusia, Central/Vaheloto representative

Tevita Lavemai, Eastern/Vahe Hahake representative

Soakai Motu'apuaka, Western/Vahe Hihifo representative

'Otenili Pifeleti, former 'Ikale Tahi representative.