Supporters of ‘Ikale Tahi national rugby team have been outraged after reports that players had yet to be paid for recent rugby union World Cup tours.
Tonga was eliminated from the tournament after facing consecutive defeats from Ireland, South Africa, and Scotland – three of the top five nations in the rugby world.
However, it exited the competition on a high note by scoring seven tries in total in the game against Romania.
A post on Facebook this afternoon which tagged ‘Ikale Tahi number eight Vaea Fifita and others alleged the players were chasing their payment from Tonga Rugby Union (TRU) authorities.
TRU could not be reached for comment.
“When could this be stopped,” a commenter asked in Tongan referring to several similar incidents of broken promises in the past following ‘Ikale Tahi previous tours.
The post by the person who went by the name Halaleva Fifita claimed the players had received “various unreliable versions of information” about when will they be paid from TRU.
It also alleged some players were furious about the incident.
Commenters blasted TRU officials about the allegations with some calling on ‘Ikale Tahi players to come forward and share their disappointment on social media.
As Kaniva News reported recently, Rugby World Cup star Charles Piutau opened up on how he and his Tonga team-mates had been forced to wash their own kits and practice with replica rugby balls ahead of the tournament in France, dramatically highlighting the stark contrast in resources between teams.
