Tonga's long wait to host another rugby international continues after confirmation the June test against Wales will be played in another country.
The 'Ikale Tahi have not played on home soil since a 2009 defeat against Fiji in Nuku'alofa.
Teufaiva National Stadium is being redeveloped for the Pacific Games but promised upgrades remain well behind schedule.
Vinnie Wylie reports.
The Wales Rugby Union had expressed concerns about the availability of medical cover in Tonga, in case of a serious injury, and about the readiness of Teufaiva National Stadium.
World Rugby pulled the pin last week, confirming the test would be relocated to another country.
'Ikale Tahi coach Toutai Kefu says the news was expected.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Transcript
The Wales Rugby Union had expressed concerns about the availability of medical cover in Tonga, in case of a serious injury, and about the readiness of Teufaiva National Stadium. World Rugby pulled the pin last week, confirming the test would be relocated to another country. 'Ikale Tahi coach Toutai Kefu says the news was expected.
"But it was a still a possibility the two Rugby World Cup qualifiers [against Fiji and Samoa] may still be in Tonga - we're still clinging on to that...We're desperate to play at home: we haven't played a test [in Tonga] for a good chunk of ten years now I think now, which is a terrible position to be in, especially this year. We need to qualify for the World Cup 2019 and having those two World Cup qualifiers at home gives us a huge advantage."
Despite the test being moved from Tonga, the Director of Ultimate Australia, Hugh Downie, says their tour group of about 50 Welsh rugby fans is still planning to visit the Kingdom.
"We're hopping over to Auckland for the Tonga test and then we're going straight up to Tonga, in actual fact, for a few days because we feel that we want to go there, we want to see the country, we want to meet the people and the Rugby Union up there has been very very inviting, if you like. They're very keen to see that we are still going to that country and that's important for us."
Hugh Downie says the tour group will also visit Fiji before taking in the Manu Samoa v Wales test in Apia. The Papua New Guinea government has confirmed just over 15 million US dollars has been set aside to support Tonga's hosting of the 2019 Pacific Games, including the refurbishment of the stadium. Tonga Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva says the contribution will help their efforts.
"It is the responsibility of the Government to get the money for the preparation for the sport however that amount contributed by the [Papua] New Government is to me...is more than enough or is enough to support our preparation for the sport."
Toutai Kefu says the Wales test will now be played in New Zealand, at either Growers Stadium in Pukekohe or North Harbour Stadium. A decision on whether Teufaiva will be ready to host Fiji and Samoa in July will be announced at a later date.
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