25 Aug 2011

Tonga Rugby Authority disputes government interference

1:34 pm on 25 August 2011

The Tonga Rugby Union Authority says there has been no government interference in the selection of its World Cup squad or in the workings of the Authority.

The International Rugby Board has written to the Tongan Prime Minister seeking assurance there has been no government interference following a proposal tabled in the Tonga parliament last week to make changes to the Authority's Board.

The Authority's deputy Chairman, Aminiasi Kefu, says the board has responded to those concerns.

And Mr Kefu, who is also Tonga's solicitor general, says former captain, Nili Latu, was not added to Tonga's World Cup squad after goverment pressure.

Mr Kefu says Latu has only been named as a non-travelling reserve and is not expected to play any part in the cup.

"The actual Tonga government is not interfering with Tonga rugby. The pressure is coming from other members of parliament, who are not in government, trying to influence the composition of the Board and also unfortunately in the player selection."

The Authority's deputy Chairman, Aminiasi Kefu.