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Second airline to service outer islands in bid to reduce ‘costly airfares,’ PM Tu‘ionetoa says

By
Kalino Latu
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The government will approve a second airline to service ‘Eua, Ha’apai, Vava’u and the Niuas

The move was urgent and the government had treated it as top priority, Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa told Kaniva news yesterday.

He said the government hoped this would help reduce the current airfare charges which he described as very expensive (“fu’u mamafa’.)

Tonga’s only inter-island air travel services are provided by Real Tonga’s five aircraft

According to Real Tonga’s website a one way airfare ticket from Tongatapu to Vava’u next week  cost TP$382.50.

The Prime Minister did not go into the details of the second airline.

However, two airlines in the past which wanted to compete with Real Tonga locally were Fly Niu and Tonga Airways.

About two months ago, the Fly Niu authorities in New Zealand said they were disappointed after their submission for a  partnership agreement with the Tongan government to operate international flights between Tonga and Auckland was knocked back by the former cabinet.

As Kaniva news reported in November last year Fly Niu owner ‘Atu Fīnau said he had talked to the Prime Minister in Auckland about starting a service between Tonga and Auckland.

Fly Niu has also expressed an interest in re-entering the Tongan domestic market.

The airline was forced out of Tonga 15 years ago when  the government passed a one airline policy that gave the sole right to operate domestic flights to Peau Vava’u, an airline, co-owned by the Late King George Tupou V and his business partners, the Ramanlal brothers. It replaced the bankrupt Royal Tongan Airlines.

Peau Vava’u operated from mid-2004 to the end of 2006 when their offices were destroyed in a fire.

In 2016, the former government declined an application by the Tonga Airways to operate. The company was owned by MP Sāmiu Vaipulu who is now Tonga’s Minister of Labour. The company planned to lease aircraft from Fiji Airways. 

The then Minister of Civil Aviation, Semisi Sika, cited a report by the World Bank which said only one airline could survive financially serving Tonga’s domestic market.

The main points

  • The government will approve a second airline to service ‘Eua, Ha’apai, Vava’u and the Niuas
  • The move was urgent and the government had treated it as top priority, Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’I’onetoa told Kaniva news yesterday.

For more information

Fly Niu airline presents gov’t proposal to operate Auckland-Tonga flights

Fly Niu airline presents gov’t proposal to operate Auckland-Tonga flights

‘Counting two as one’ – PM Tu‘i‘onetoa promises equal treatment for different views; reveals road sealings, e-government will be priority areas

By
Kalino Latu
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Prime Minister-elect Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa has outlined policy areas and new appointments in an exclusive interview with Kaniva news  this morning in which he revealed the government’s new slogan – “Counting two as one.”

In Tongan, “Lau e ua ko e taha”, means to regard two people with different views as one and treat them the same way.

Outlining his policy to convince the public after strong supporters of the Democrats criticised his defection to a  new party before winning the premiership election last week, Tu’i’onetoa said he was confident his government would build the nation under the leadership of a diverse cabinet which included MPs from the nobility, independents and Democrats.

This was a time for “reconciliation” and uniting the country which has been long divided by political rivalries and dispute, he said.  

It would not be possible to build the nation if it was divided, the Prime Minister told Kaniva news, saying the king, the nobles and the people must be in unity. 

He said he would continue delivering some of the priorities set out in the late ‘Akilisi Pohiva’s government, in which he said, he was the mastermind as Minister of Finance.

However, he said he had put aside the six controversial new bills the former government had attempted to pass through the legislature because his government did not have the time to do it.

He also warned his government was given only two more years to operate before the next general election in November 2021.

Budget

He said the current government budget could not be changed until the end of the current  fiscal year in June 2020.

He said he masterminded the nine social and political priorities written in the budget and how the government intended to achieve these.

Hon. Tu’i’onetoa said, given the two-year time frame, his government would focus on sealing all pubic roads with tar and filling roads to plantations and tax allotments with rocks.

He expected 50 percent of this project to be completed within their two years in office and leave the rest for the next two years.

E-government

The Prime Minister said the government using information and communication technologies, known as e-government, to improve the activities of public sector organisations would be the other priority of his government.

He said it has been for 20 years since the government first attempted to have its working system fully digitised and computerised but that has yet to be completed.

“The system is out of date and slow”, he said, and as a result the connectivity between the main island of Tongatapu and the outer islands to deliver better education and health supports had been missed.

He said the master system for e-government must be controlled by a local company. He said before it was handled by foreign companies, which was expensive. It also took a long time to receive a response from the companies if an issue needed to be fixed.

New appointments

Hon. Tu’i’onetoa said he would appoint two advisors for the two budget priorities.

He said urgent meetings would be set up for all government CEOs to review the current system of communications and how the government serves the people through its public services to make sure they were more efficient and effective.

He said his government will continue improving and making positive changes to education, local marketing and health sectors.

Read more:

https://kanivatonga.co.nz/2019/09/parliament-elects-dr-pohiva-tuionetoa-as-new-pm/ f

Tonga question Argentina “shoulder charge”

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Radio New Zealand

Tonga believe they were denied a legitimate penalty try in yesterday’s Rugby World Cup match against Argentina that could have changed the course of the game.

The ‘Ikale Tahi are all but out of playoff contention after a 28-12 defeat by the Pumas in Higashiosaka left then winless and without a point after two games.

Argentine hooker Julian Montoya bagged a hat-trick inside 25 minutes as the South Americans raced out to a 28-0 lead.

The ‘Ikale Tahi were given a lifeline just before the half-hour mark when fullback Telusa Veainu weaved past two defenders to score their first try of the tournament.

David Halaifonua was denied another try in the final play of the half, with referee Jaco Peyper ignoring Tongan appeals to award a penalty try for a no-arms tackle.

After viewing the replay and consulting with the TMO, the South African whistleblower ruled Pumas lock Tomas Lavanini did wrap an arm around the the ball-carrier, however Tonga coach Toutai Kefu saw it differently.

“I thought it was a try. I thought it was a shoulder charge,” he said.

“If we would have got that we would have come out in the second half with a lot more belief and confidence (but it) wasn’t to be.”

“He went to hit with the left shoulder (but) wrapped his right arm so I think that’s why it probably got called off. That’s what I’m thinking – I don’t know – but we play the referee’s decision.”

Veteran flanker Sione Kalamafoni said Tonga failed to execute basic skills during the first half but agrees they were denied a deserved try on half-time.

“The decision should be in our way. It is a clear shoulder (charge) I think,”said the Leicester Tigers backrower.

“But they make the decision and we have to play along with it so we can’t change those decisions, and hopefully we get those decisions in the future in our way, in our favour.”

Toutai Kefu said it felt like Tonga did not get the rub of the green from the officials.

“There was a couple of 50/50s today I thought we didn’t get, maybe that one being one,” he said in reference to the disputed penalty try call.

“That was critical for us too. There was a few other decisions as well – there was was that head-high, the high tackle on you (turning to captain Siale Piutau).

“But you actually watch it on the replay and he hits on the chest first and then creeps up, so I thought that was a bit harsh, but I’m used to it (after) four years (coaching a) tier two so you just move on.”

Telusa Veainu scored his second of the afternoon with 15 minutes remaining but, despite keeping the Pumas scoreless in the second half, it proved too little too late for Tonga.

Toutai Kefu said poor skills and too many basic errors in the first 25 minutes effectively cost them the game but he was encouraged by the way his players responded after half-time.

“We didn’t give up. We could have come out in the second half and thrown the white flag up but the boys dug in,” said the former Wallabies number eight.

“We were on our tryline there for a good period of that second half and the boys did really well to defend that tryline for about 10 to 15 minutes, so it just shows the character of the boys and they’re willing just not to give up and keep fighting.”

Kefu said Telusa Veainu made a big impact in his first test for almost three years, providing the ‘Ikale Tahi with some much needed potency with the ball in hand.

“He offers us x-factor out wide so it’s great to have him back,” Kefu said.

“I remember his last game he played for us (in November 2016) – he actually won the game for us against I think it was USA, so having a player of his calibre and class is fantastic for us.”

Captain Siale Piutau said there are still some positives they can take forward into their penultimate pool game against France next weekend.

“Compared to last (when we) didn’t throw any punches, we felt like we didn’t have any ways into the game, whereas today we converted some tries,” he said.

“I think negatives: obviously we can’t let tier one teams get a headstart like that so we’ve got to be more clinical. We gifted them two tries and that was the make or break of the game.”

Tonga must now beat France and the United States in their remaining pool matches and hope other results go their way to have any chance of reaching the quarter finals.

Sione Kalamafoni said while it might be unlikely they will keep trying.

“If it’s still possible we can still have that mindset and that goal within us. Obviously if we have that still on then we will fight for it.”

Female minister outside parl’t selected, as Tu‘i‘onetoa names cabinet lineup

By
Kalino Latu
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UPDATED 30/Sept/2019: Dr Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa has named Tonga’s Chief Nursing and Midwifery Dr ‘Amelia Afuha’amango Tu’ipulotu from outside parliament as new Minister of Health.

Lord Nuku had been listed as the new Minister of Police while Lord Tu’ilakepa had been named as the new Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Lord Ma’afu who became the Minister of Land, Survey and Natural Resources as well as Minister of His Majesty’s Armed Forces in late ‘Akilisi Pōhiva’s cabinet has retained his seat in the new cabinet list.

Three other PTOA Party MPs listed in the lineup were MP Vātau Hui, the new Minister of Internal Affairs and MP ‘Akosita Lavulavu has been named as the new Minister of Infrastructure and Tourism. Lavulavu was dismissed by the late PM Pōhiva in April due to criminal charges.

MP Poasi Tei from the Party continued in his position as Minister of MEIDECC ( Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications.).

Tēvita Lavemaau, the former minister of Finance and Siaosi Sovaleni, the former minister of Public Enterprises, and who were also dismissed by the late Prime Minister in 2017 after what had been described as an attempt to undermine the government, have been also returned to office by Hon Tu’i’onetoa.

Lavemaau is the new Minister of Finance, Minister of Customs and Revenue while Sovaleni is the new Minister of Education.

Former Deputy Prime Minister MP Sāmiu Vaipulu was named as new Minister of Labour.

Tu’i’onetoa  has chosen Tongatapu 7 MP and Minister of Justice Sione Vuna Fā’otusia as Deputy Prime Minister.

As we reported earlier this week, Dr Tu’i’onetoa and Fā’otusia, who were ministers in good standing in the late Pōhiva government, earlier this week crossed the floor to form the new People’s Party and gain the support from a united group of nobles and independent MPs.

The Prime Minister has the power to nominate his cabinet lineup before recommending the king to appoint them, according to the constitution.

He also has the constitutional power to appoint no more than four cabinet ministers from outside Parliament.

The list has been confirmed to Kaniva news by the Prime Minister this morning Monday 30.

The lineup list is expected to receive its royal assent soon.

The new lineup:

1. Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa – Prime Minister of Tonga, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Public Enterprises

2. Sione Vuna Fā’otusia – Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Justice and Prison

3. Tēvita Lavemaau – Minister of Finance, Minister of Customs and Revenue

4. Siaosi Sovaleni – Minister of Education

5. Dr. ‘Amelia Afuha’amango Tu’ipulotu – Minister of Health

6. ‘Akosita Lavulavu – Minister of Infrastructure, Minister of Tourism

7. Poasi Tei – Minister of MEIDECC

8. Lord Nuku – Minister of Police

9. Samiu Vaipulu – Minister of Labour

10. Vatau Hui – Minister of Internal Affairs

11. Lord Tu’ilakepa – Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries

12. Lord Ma’afu – Minister of His Majesty’s Armed Forces, Minister of Land and Survey and Natural Resources 

Tonga’s King appeals to UN for greater protection from risks to peace

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Radio New Zealand

Tonga’s King has addressed the General Debate in the 74th Session at the United Nations in New York, appealing for protection of his people from a range of threats to peace.

King Tupou VI thanked the Secretary General Antonio Guterres for his inaugural visit to the Pacific in May, to understand the climate crisis up close.

He commended the UN session’s four priorities of; peace and security especially conflict prevention; stronger action on climate change; accentuating human rights for women and young people, and boosting the Sustainable Development Goals.

The King also expressed his gratitude for a more inclusive attitude by the UN towards small island states strengthening their voices.

“We continue to look to the Security Council to protect the innocent from threats to international peace and security in whatever form.

“Be they traditional threats such as armed conflict, or newer threats like climate change and sea level rise, and health epidemics, to ensure that no one is left behind.”

The King said securing climate finance is a priority.

He welcomed plans by the United Kingdom to double it’s contribution to the Green Climate Fund.

The King said Pacific leaders in Tuvalu last month endorsed the strongest statement to date on climate change, the Kainaki II Declaration, declared a climate change crisis in the Pacific Islands Region.

It called for urgent action to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions to prevent catastrophic global warming and disasters.

King Tupou VI said extreme events like cyclones and typhoons, flooding, drought and king tides are frequently more intense inflicting damage and destruction to Tonga’s communities and ecosystems, putting people’s health at risk.

He acknowledged the recent destruction in the Bahamas and said climate change is not only a political issue for Tonga, it is a matter of survival.

Tonga’s NRL suspended by rugby league’s world body

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Radio New Zealand

Tonga’s National Rugby League has been suspended by the international governing body as a tumultuous month for the sport in the country continues.

Last night the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) made the call which could see the Tonga’s top players return to the fold in upcoming tests against Australia and Great Britain, after they initially threatened to boycott the games unless action was taken against the TNRL.

The international federation said the TNRL was suspended pending a full investigation into issues raised by a number of parties.

The decision was made after Tonga’s Acting Prime Minister Semisi Sika told the federation the TNRL had lost the trust and support of its members, clubs and players.

Earlier this month the TNRL sacked popular coach Kristian Woolf over disagreements around control and finances which led to a group of players, including Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita, to threaten a boycott of the country’s upcoming internationals.

Now Woolf is expected to be reinstated by an interim national body, paving the way for the players to make themselves available.

The interim body, called Tonga Ma’a Tonga, is expected to receive endorsement from the RLIF shortly.

Semisi Sika, whose letter to the RLIF sparked the TNRL suspension, was president of the previous administration which was replaced by a Supreme Court order because of concerns around financial mismanagement.

The current TNRL board, elected this year, had said it maintained the support of the majority of clubs in the country and had done nothing wrong.

It had also warned that more court action would be imminent, as it sought to prove its legal standing.

Parliament elects Dr Pōhiva Tu‘i‘onetoa as new PM

By
Kalino Latu
-

Dr Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa has been elected by a majority of Members of Parliament to become Tonga’s Prime Minister to replace late ‘Akilisi Pohiva.

A total of 15 members out of the 26 Members of Parliament voted for Tu’i’onetoa, while eight MPs voted for the rival candidate, Semisi Sika.

Tu’i’onetoa, was a member of the PTOA Party but he crossed the floor to form the new People’s Party and gain the support from a united group of nobles and independent MPs.

Five MPs from the PTOA defected and supported Tu’i’onetoa.

Before the election this morning, only four MPs of the PTOA Party, including Tu’i’onetoa were understood that they left the Party. The trio were MP Vatau Hui, Minister of Justice Vuna Fa’otusia and MP ‘Akosita Lavulavu, leaving the Party with only nine MPs.

The results of the election showed, another MP from the nine loyal PTOA MPs also defected.

Tu’i’onetoa said in his speech this morning before the election, that he promised to bring unity to the politically divided nation and outlined changes he would bring if elected.

Dr Tu‘i‘onetoa may challenge for PM; Hon. Tapueluelu wants to stand with loyal MPs

By
Kalino Latu
-

MP for Tongatapu 10 Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa will challenge Deputy Prime Minister Semisi  Sika for the premiership, reliable sources have told Kaniva news.

Kaniva news understands that three other Democratic MP and cabinet members have defected.

They have been named as Minister of Justice Vuna Fa’otusia, MP Vatau Hui and outgoing minister MP Akosita Lavulavu.

The challenge against Hon. Sika, who the late Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva  wanted to succeed him, will be confirmed tomorrow when the Speaker opens the envelopes with the names of the candidates.

A press release from the Speaker of the House suggested there would be two candidates.

A special meeting has been called for tomorrow at 10am to elect the Prime Minister.

The Speaker of the House, Lord Fakafanua called  for nominations following the death of Hon. Pohiva.

Nominations for the election closed at 4.30pm today.

Police Minister Mateni Tapueluelu told Kaniva news earlier this week the Democrats did not have the numbers in the election for Prime Minister.

However, yesterday he and the remaining PTOA (Democrat) cabinet ministers and MPs were negotiating with some noble MPs and Independent MPs to vote with them.

Lord Ma’afu was a cabinet minister and it is believed he has stayed loyal to Hon. Sika and would help in the negotiations to persuade the nobles to vote for him.

Asked why did not they support Hon. Tu’i’onetoa to block the nobility and royalist MPs from having a greater voice in running the government, Hon.  Tapueluelu said his preference was to stand together with the loyal PTOA members who were familiar with the Party’s vision.

It is understood that eight members of the nobility and the three independent MPs have tried to woo some Democrat  MPs with promises of ministerial positions if they vote for another candidate.

The main points

  • MP for Tongatapu 10 Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa will challenge Deputy Prime Minister Semisi  Sika for the premiership, reliable sources have told Kaniva news.
  • Kaniva news understands that four Democratic MP and cabinet members have defected.

For more information

Squabbling MPs mean Democrats no longer have the numbers warns Minister as royalists and Nobles battle to regain premiership

Squabbling MPs mean Democrats no longer have the numbers warns Minister as royalists and nobles battle to regain premiership

Land Court finds Lands Minister failed to comply with Act in dispute over tax allotment

By
Philip Cass
-

The Land Court has ruled in favour of the plaintiffs in a long running dispute over a tax allotment that has previously involved a dispute between two Nobles and a Chinese quarry company.

Judge Niu’s judgement was based on the Minister for Land’s failure to properly publicise the proposed surrender of the allotment.

In January 2011, Lord Nuku and Paula Kava made an agreement that Paula Kava would surrender his tax allotment at Malapo and that Lord Nuku’s son, Faka’osifono Valevale, would apply to hold it as his tax allotment.

In return Lord Nuku would pay him $130,000 in cash and would have another tax allotment granted to him in the estate of Ha’ateiho.

Lord Nuku would arrange to have Paula Kava’s brother’s town allotment at Tofoa, which was low-lying, filled with coral to an agreed level.

Paula Kava explained that agreement to the first plaintiff and that as he was the heir to his tax allotment, he would not lose out under the agreement because another tax allotment at Ha’ateiho would be granted to him and that the first plaintiff would still be heir to it, as he was to the Malapo allotment.

The first plaintiff agreed to it and signed a letter of Paula Kava to the Minister of Lands that he, Paula Kava, wanted to surrender his said tax allotment at Malapo.

The agreement was made so that Lord Nuku’s son could lease it to a Chinese company which would quarry coral rocks from the allotment for road construction at a rent of $500,000 for 20 years.

Lord Nuku paid the agreed $130,000 to Paula Kava and authorised the Chinese company to commence quarrying on the allotment and it did.

However he failed to have the town allotment of Paula Kava’s brother filled with gravel or secure the grant of the tax allotment at Ha’ateiho to Paula Kava, who asked Lord Nuku that quarrying be stopped until the exchange for his tax allotment was completed.

On 27 June 2011, because nothing had been done by Lord Nuku Paula Kava wrote to the Minister and cancelled his letter of surrender of his tax allotment.

Having been told that the tax allotment at Ha’ateiho was available to be granted, Paula Kava wrote to the Minister to proceed with his surrender of his tax allotment and lodged his application and asked the Minister to process his application for the tax allotment at Ha’ateiho.

Samiuela Kava, who claimed that he was the lawful heir of Paula Kava, was not immediately unaware of this letter or the continuation of the surrender.

Cabinet approved the surrender of the allotment under S. 54 of the Land Act in February 2012.

The Minister signed a notice which called on any person who claimed he was heir to the allotment to lodge his claim in writing with the Minister, failing which it would revert to the estate holder.

Paula Kava was subsequently told he would have to wait a year for the surrender to be complete. After a year he was told the tax allotment at Ha’ateiho that he was applying for, had already been registered in someone else.

He wrote to the Minister of Lands in 2013 asking for advice.

“I am very disappointed and unhappy about the lie and incorrect advice that was given to me,” he said.

“I have already surrendered my allotment and lost it and I have not got another.”

Because of the letter of surrender signed by Paula Kava in 2011, Lord Nuku authorised the Chinese Technical Team company, Yan Jian Group Co. Ltd, to begin quarrying coral rocks from the tax allotment of Paula Kava.

It did not cease to stop quarrying until Lord Luani stopped it in May 2013 when he claimed that the tax allotment of Paula Kava had lawfully reverted to him.

Lord Luani brought an action against Lord Nuku and Yan Jian Group Co. Ltd and another company for the damage caused by the quarrying done to the allotment. The Land Court awarded $5,556,000, damages.

The defendants appealed to the Court of Appeal which upheld the decision of the Land Court, but lowered the amount of damages to $3,380,335.

Samiuela Kava said that the tax allotment had not reverted to the estate holder, Lord Luani, in accordance with the requirements of S. 54 of the Land Act. He claimed the Minister of Lands had failed to comply with the requirements of the Act.

Lord Luani argued that the tax allotment had lawfully reverted to him and that the matter had been litigated and the Court, as well as the Court of Appeal, had held that the tax allotment had lawfully reverted to him, and that he was awarded damages as lawful holder of the allotment.

Judge Niu ruled that the Minister had failed to meet the requirements of the Act in having proper publicity given to the proposed surrender of the allotment.

Only one notice appeared in the press and none in the government gazette.

“Accordingly, as I have already found as a fact, that there was only one publication of the notice, I must hold, and I hold, that the tax allotment of Paula Kava has not reverted to the estate holder Lord Luani at all, and that it would not, until the Minister has published the notice exactly as he is required by to do and if the heir of Paula Kava does not claim it by the specified date in the notice,” Judge Niu said.

“I consider that the Minister must start afresh, that is, that he must issue a fresh notice with a fresh specified date and publish it in the Government Gazette and in three issues of three Tongan newspaper within two months of the date of the fresh notice.

“Upon publication of the first notice, the first plaintiff may then lodge his claim in writing with the Minister as provided in the notice.”

The judge ordered that Lord Luani must immediately give up any right to the tax allotment under dispute.

Costs were awarded against the defendants.

Read more
https://kanivatonga.co.nz/2017/05/lord-nuku-will-keep-title-estate-court-case-says-attorney-general/

Woolf ready to return as Tonga coach after PM intervenes

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By Brad Walter NRL.com Senior Reporter

Kristian Woolf is set to be reinstated as Tonga coach for the upcoming Tests against Great Britain and Australia, and possibly the World Cup Nines, after the Prime Minister asked the RLIF to officially recognise a new governing body in the island kingdom.

Tongan Prime Minister Semisi Sika has sent a letter to be considered by the RLIF board on Thursday in which he said the Tonga National Rugby League had “lost the trust and support of its members”, the domestic clubs and international players.

The clubs have registered Tonga Ma’a Tonga Rugby League as their new governing federation, and endorsed the Tonga Sports Council as the interim body responsible for selection, coaching and management of the Test team.

The move follows a trip to Tonga last week by RLIF chairman Nigel Wood, who met with Mr Sika to discuss concerns about the viability of the October 26 Test against Great Britain in Hamilton and November 2 Oceania Cup clash with Australia at Eden Park.

Mate Ma’a Tonga players, led by Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita, are now expected to return after refusing to play until TNRL chairman George Koloamatangi and secretary William Edwards stood down.

Woolf, who has been appointed as St Helens coach, is understood to be willing to again take charge of the Tonga team he built into an international powerhouse if the players want him to return.

The TNRL board last month sacked Woolf by email and announced the appointment of former Kiwis coach Frank Endacott for the Tests and ex-Gold Coast mentor Garth Brennan for the Downer Rugby League World Cup 9s.

Brennan has since resigned and Endacott has privately indicated he was willing to step aside for Woolf amid concerns about Tonga’s ability to field a competitive team.

Prime Minister Sika said in the letter: “As a result of the actions of its board, TNRL will be unable to field a national team with the best Tongan players”.

It is unclear if Woolf will also take the reins for the World Cup Nines but officials are believed to be keen for him to do so and hope Tonga will field its strongest team at the tournament on October 18 and 19.

With Tonga boasting a large contingent of players from the NRL and Super League who have been loyal to the red jersey since the 2017 World Cup, and earlier in many cases, there is unlikely to be any room for Israel Folau.

The TNRL announced on Monday that Folau and his brother, John, had made themselves available for selection but both have been playing rugby union.

If Woolf returns, he is likely to be spoilt for choice in the outside backs, with Will Hopoate, David Fusitu’a, Daniel Tupou, Michael Jennings, Robert Jennings, Kotoni Staggs, Konrad Hurrell, Mahe Fonua and Solomone Kata among those eligible.

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