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“Best paid ever” ‘Ikale Tahi failed to perform as expected, rugby boss says after three losses

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga Rugby Union Chair ‘Epeli Taione said he took full responsibility for the ‘Ikale Tahi team’s failure to perform at this year’s Rugby World Cup.

Taione said the team had failed to perform to expectations  and this would continue to affect him and the TRU for a long time.

His comments came after a string of defeats suffered by the Tongan team.

He said this was by far the best prepared and paid team Tonga had ever fielded, but their  performance was not good enough.

He apologised to the nation and said he could not accept the situation. He said the team’s failure was unacceptable.

Taione made the comments after Tonga lost to Georgia, Argentina and before the team lost again to New Zealand. The losses caused great disappointment in the kingdom and triggered strong criticisms from many of the Tongan ‘Ikale Tahi supporters.

Tongan die hard supporters found the loss to Georgia the most tragic experience as they thought it should have been a no-brainer, given the outcome of the last match between the two countries in November 2014 when Georgia was defeated.

Many of the team’s supporters pointed fingers at the coach and the TRU. Some claimed  the team’s members were too old to play, an accusation that was also made about the South African team after its defeat by Japan.

Tonga pulled out of this year’s Rugby World Cup  after its team  lost to Georgia by 17 – 10,  Argentina 45-6 and  to the mighty All Blacks by 47-9 . Georgia has now qualified for the 2019 World Cup.

Many ‘Ikale Tahi supporters still regard the national team as their number one and said the boys did their best, even if they lost.

After the weekend’s loss to the All Blacks the Tongan supporters took to Facebook to show their appreciation and gratitude to the team.

Jenny Latu Salesa, the Tongan New Zealand Member of Parliament, wrote: “[We] are also die hard All Blacks supporters, however when they play against Tonga, we will support Tonga first, ABs are the world champs and they should have displayed more on the field today against a much lower ranked team. Overall, Tonga played really well against the ABs and I’m proud of their performance.”

“Well Tonga is still having floats and marching in the streets after their last game. We are proud of our boys and proud how they represented the country on the field!”, Josephine Latu Sanft wrote.

“Great game Tonga, awesome supporters, and in depth post match analysis.” another commentator wrote.

“Still proud of you Tonga,” John Nicholas Pulu wrote.

In a strongly worded message received by Kaniva News through Facebook Taione said: “This is not how we want to end the [competition], we are quite gutted and it will haunt [us] for a long time. I want to say thank you to everyone for their love and support. I took full responsibility for the team performance, thanks to the team and management but most importantly our fans. Ofa atu.

“We have no excuses, this is by far best prepared and paid team ever. Not good enough and we have to be brutally honest as a Board and management about performances. A full enquiry to be followed, and tough question will be asked. We cannot accept mediocre, and our performance is a big failure and it is unacceptable. Am sorry.”

The main points

  • Tonga Rugby Union Chair ‘Epeli Taione said today he took full responsibility for the ‘Ikale Tahi team’s failure to perform at this year’s Rugby Wold Cup.
  • Taione said the team had failed to perform to expectations and this would continue to affect him and the TRU for a long time.
  • His comments came after a string of defeats suffered by the Tongan team.
  • He said there would be a full enquiry into the team’s performance.

Young couple wed in Vaiola Hospital despite groom’s leg injuries leaving him bedridden

By
Kalino Latu
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A young couple married in Vaiola Hospital yesterday despite the groom being hospitalised and confined to bed after surviving a car accident that almost cost his life.

Hospital staff member Sharon Fiu told Kaniva News they were the first people to be married in the hospital’s chapel.

She said it was the first time a patient had been married while still hospitalised.

“May God bless this new family and heal the groom soon,” Fiu wrote on Facebook.

A person close to the family with whom groom was staying, whom we have chosen not to name for cultural reasons, said the groom was Tavake ʻO Vailahi Losiki and the bride was Lavinia Vaitohi.

Losiki was from Haʻalaufuli, Vavaʻu, but was staying with his relatives at the Niuvākai residence in Pea.

She said the groom’s legs were dislocated during the accident and he was bedridden.

The woman said the wedding was planned for this week with the practice of fakalelea (bridegroom’s family visiting the bride’s house on the night before the wedding) to be held on Wednesday, but the groom had the accident on Tuesday.

She said Vaitohi was from Australia and she was befriended by the groom when he was employed there as a seasonal worker.

Photos from the wedding were uploaded to Facebook yesterday and have gone viral.

Many commentators said the wedding reflected true love between the couple.

Some said they felt like crying when they looked at the photos and read about the wedding knowing the future of the groom’s injuries were uncertain.

“What a loving woman,” one commentator wrote.

Unconfirmed reports said Losiki was driving a van when it was involved in a collision with a bus on Tuesday morning at Pea near the house where he was staying.

It is understood eight passengers of the bus were injured, including the bus driver.

The main points

  • A young couple married in Vaiola Hospital yesterday despite the groom being hospitalised and confined to bed after surviving a vehicle accident that almost cost his life.
  • Hospital staff member Sharon Fiu told Kaniva News they were the first people to be married in the hospital’s chapel.
  • The groom has been identified as Tavake ʻO Vailahi Losiki and the bride as Lavinia Vaitohi.
  • She said Vaitohi was from Australia and she was befriended by the groom when he was employed there as a seasonal worker.
  • The couple met in Australia while Losiki was there as a seasonal worker.

Tens of thousands of pa’anga raised for ʻIkale Tahi by Aoniu is yet to be paid to players

By
Kalino Latu
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‘Epeli Taione, the Chair of Tonga Rugby Union and also one of the organisers of the Aoniu Fundrasing. Photo/Facebook

Tonga’s Rugby World Cup team players are yet to receive any of the money raised in Tonga as a donation for their representing the kingdom.

The Aoniu Fundraising Committee said the money must be paid to the ʻIkale Tahi team members as soon as possible.

However, it has been revealed that not all donations promised to the fundraising committee have been paid.

The Committee announced in the weeks ahead of the tournament that they would organise a dinner to raise money to help the boys and their families while they were in England.

A function was held at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall on September 11, with 10 seat tables going for TP$500, or TP$1000 if they were hosted by a member of the royal family or a former ʻIkale Tahi player.

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But Tonga Rugby Union Chair ʻEpeli Taione revealed to Kaniva News yesterday the money had not yet been paid to the players.

The money was set to be given as a bonus after the ʻIkale Tahi’s match with Argentina or New Zealand, but “since we blew out, we will probably give it this week as a thank you sweetener,” Taione said.

Some people who had promised to donate to the  fundraising dinner by either attending it or buying tables had yet to pay up.

“There is (sic) people who haven’t pay (sic) up their tables but they will give out this week and they are the most credible people I know,” Taione said.

After the fundraising Taione wrote on his Facebook page that the Aoniu Fundraising Committee had raised TP$75,919 (US$34,645.64/NZ$52,431.42). He then divided the money by 32, the number of the ʻIkale Tahi players and said each one should get TP$2380 each.

It was not clear whether the TP$75,919 reported by Taione was cash collected before and on the night of the fundraising dinner or whether it included the money that had been promised, but not yet paid.

The ʻIkale Tahi coach Mana ‘Otai  said he did not know whether or not the money had been paid to the boys because the arrangement was that the money would be paid directly to each player’s bank account.

Team captain Nili Latu was reluctant to respond to Kaniva News’ questions about the Aoniu donation. He said he needed time to talk to all the players before he could comment on whether or not they got the money.

Another fundraising event was held in Auckland to raise money for the Tongan team in the first week of September. It was organised by a group of Tongan ʻIkale Tahi supporters led by Kite Tuʻakalau, Melino Maka and ʻEseta Finau.

They raised more than NZ$20,000  and according to Tuʻakalau they had already paid the money to the ʻIkale Tahis, with each player receiving TP$800.

The main points

  • Tonga’s Rugby World Cup team players have not received any of the money raised in Tonga as a donation for their representing the kingdom.
  • The Aoniu Fundraising Committee said the money must be paid to the ‘Ikale Tahi team members as soon as possible.
  • Tonga Rugby Union Chair ʻEpeli Taione revealed to Kaniva News yesterday the money had not yet been paid to the players.
  • The money was set to be given as a bonus after the ʻIkale Tahiʻs match with Argentina or New Zealand, but “since we blew out, we will probably give it this week as a thank you sweetener,” Taione said.

The Princess, the PSA, Pohiva and the Chinese millions set to go back to court

By
Kalino Latu
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The millions of dollars transferred to Princess Pilolevu’s Tongasat company look set to come under scrutiny in the courts again.

In the latest episode in the long running legal battle between veteran Tongan politician ‘Akilisi Pohiva and the Princess, the Court of Appeal quashed a Supreme Court order ordering the plaintiffs in a previous case brought by Pohiva to each pay TP$20,000 as a surety before the case continued.

Now Pohiva’s co-plaintiff, Tongan Public Service Association General Secretary Mele ʻAmanaki, has told Kaniva News that they were waiting for the court to set a hearing date for their civil action against the Princess, her Tongasat company and others.

Pohiva, who is now Prime Minister, filed a criminal action against the Princess when he was Leader of the Opposition following revelations that her private company had been paid millions of dollars from a Chinese government grant in 2011.

The money was transferred to Tongasat by the previous government. It came from a US$49.9  million aid grant that was described as being to help the “economic and technical developments” of the country.

Documents seen by Kaniva News show the Princess requested that the money be transferred to help revive her Tongasat company.

Pohiva first went to the magistrate’s court in 2013 and accused the Princess, Tongasat, former Minister of Justice Hon. Clive Edward and Former Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano of committing crimes of larceny and receiving stolen property.

The Democratic Party founder claimed the accused were involved in the illegal transfer to Tongasat of US$25 million (TP$54.87 million) from the Chinese grant.

The lower court quashed Pohiva’s action, but he appealed the magistrate’s decision before Chief Justice Michael Scott in the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court ruled in favour of the Lower Court, saying the magistrate made the right decision after he found Pohiva had failed to provide concrete evidence that could prove beyond doubt the accused committed the alleged crime.

Pohiva then acted together with the Public Service Association and hired his long-time lawyer from New Zealand, Dr Rodney Harrison, in July 2014 to take the defendants back to court through a civil action.

Tongasat’s legal team then appealed that the plaintiffs paid a surety before the civil action was allowed to proceed.

The four judges in the Court of Appeal ruled that Mr Justice Scott made an error in his exercise of discretion against the plaintiffs.

The Appeal judges said the Chief Justice considered the financial positions of the plaintiffs as part of his decision before allowing their action to be heard in court on the grounds that they might not be able to pay costs in favour of the respondents.

The Appeal Court said the respondents alleged the PSA was insolvent which could mean it would be unable to pay costs. However, the Appeal judges said the Tongasat legal team had failed to provide evidence to prove their claim in this regard.

Tongasat also set out to show that Tonga’s Democratic Party in which Pohiva was leader had no funds and that he would be unable to pay costs if they were set against him.

“But they overlooked the fact Pohiva had made himself personally responsible for any costs,” the Appeal judges said.

“His personal assets, such as they may be, are available. The Supreme Court was given by the respondent no information on his personal position. The respondents also did not suggest to the court that he personally was not good for costs,” the Appeal court said.

The main points

  • The millions of dollars transferred to Princess Pilolevu’s Tongasat company look set to come under scrutiny in the courts again.
  • In the latest episode in the long running legal battle between veteran Tongan politician ‘Akilisi Pohiva and the Princess, the Court of Appeal quashed a Supreme Court order ordering the plaintiffs in a previous case brought by Pohiva to each pay TP$20,000 as a surety before the case continued.
  • Now Pohiva’s co-plaintiff, Tongan Public Service Association General Secretary Mele ʻAmanaki, has told Kaniva News that they were waiting for the court to notify them when they could file their civil action against the Princess, her Tongasat company and others.
  • Pohiva began a series of legal actions against the Princess in 2012 following revelations that her private company had been paid millions of dollars from a Chinese government grant.

Two fishermen missing off Niuatoputapu coast

By
Kaniva Staff
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Picture: The Tongan patrol craft VOEA Savea

Two fishermen were missing since Tuesday 6 in a small boat somewhere between Niuatoputapu and its surrounding islands.

Police said the 58 and 49-year-old men were known to go out fishing on their own on one of the reefs around the island.

A search and rescue effort is underway to find the duo.

The incident happened on the same day the New Zealand P-3K2 Orion located the Tongan fishing vessel Pacific Sunrise this week after it had issued a distress signal due to no power and flat batteries on board.

“The Orion successfully dropped a spare VHF radio to the vessel enabling the crew to re-establish essential communication and coordinate a rendezvous with another vessel”.

Reptile found in Tonga’s Parliament

By
Kaniva Staff
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In Picture: A reptile found in Tonga’s Parliament. Photo/Tonga Daily News

Security guards at Tonga’s Parliament have found what appeared to be a snake outside Parliament this morning.

The reptile which has yet to be officially identified for its type has caused public concerns  since land snakes do not exist in the kingdom.

Radio FM 87.5 report says Police have confiscated the reptile.

It was not immediately clear how it ended up at the Parliament’s door and some claimed it could be a type of land snake that might have arrived in Tonga through shipping containers from overseas.

The Tongan authorities could not be reached for comment.

Eight injured, alcohol suspected in serious Pea crash

By
Kaniva Staff
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In picture: A Delica van collided with a Lapaha bus with more than 20 passengers at Pea. Photo/Supplied

Eight people were injured after a van travelling southbound along Taufaʻāhau Rd in Pea left its lane and collided with an oncoming bus early this morning local media reported.

Police did not respond to our repeated requests for comments but according to reports both drivers were also injured.

Most of the victims were reported to be passengers of the bus.

It was alleged the driver of the van was drunk.

Hahake commuters quickly took to Facebook this morning and made comments after the incident.

They said they experienced delays and drivers were forced to take alternate roads as  part of the main road to Nukuʻalofa  in Pea where the incident occured was closed.

It is understood Police investigation was ongoing.

Tongan to captain Eagles against Springboks in rugby world cup

By
Kaniva Staff
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Samu Manoa will captain a largely reserve Eagles side to face South Africa at the Olympic Stadium in London on Wednesday. With the all-important Japan match on the horizon on Sunday, head coach Mike Tolkin has opted to rest the majority of his front line players, but has retained Manoa at the back of the scrum and appointed him leader for the first time.

Olive Kilifi and Chris Baumann start at prop, while a makeshift second row of Louis Stanfill and Matt Trouville pack down behind them. Danny Barrett and John Quill line up on the side of the scrum, an area of clear strength for the Eagles.

Niku Kruger wins his first test start at scrumhalf, with Shalom Suniula filling in for AJ MacGinty at flyhalf. Andrew Suniula and Folau Niua form an experienced midfield, while Zack Test and Brett Thompson are nominated on the wings.

Joseph Taufete’e could win his first test cap from the bench, where he is selected alongside three more front rowers, with Zach Fenoglio, Mate Moeakiola, and Titi Lamositele also present. Taufete’e also has experience in the back row, however, and could also see game time there. Mike Petri and Chris Wyles are the only backs reserves.

The Springboks are also expected to name a below full strength side, having just played against Scotland on Saturday. All three previous meetings of the teams have been won by South Africa, the last a 64-15 defeat in Montpellier at the 2007 World Cup.

USA
1 Olive Kilifi 2 Phil Thiel 3 Chris Baumann 4 Louis Stanfill 5 Matt Trouville 6 Danny Barrett 7 John Quill 8 Samu Manoa (capt.) 9 Niku Kruger 10 Shalom Suniula 11 Zack Test 12 Andrew Suniula 13 Folau Niua 14 Brett Thompson 15 Blaine Scully

16 Joseph Taufete’e 17 Zach Fenoglio 18 Mate Moeakiola 19 Titi Lamositele 20 Cameron Dolan 21 Al McFarland 22 Mike Petri 23 Chris Wyles

Source: America’s rugby

Man dies in Folaha house fire was allegedly drunk

By
Kalino Latu
-

The 32-year-old man killed after a house fire in Folaha Sunday 4 was allegedly drunk, Police said.

The deceased was identified as Samiuela Fakahau.

Police said Fire Service was called to the scene at about 2am and after firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze they found the body of Fakahau in the 7 x 5.3 metre wooden house.

The house was fully involved with fire when fire fighters arrived, Police said.

Police believed the victim has been drinking alcohol with a friend before the fatal incident occurred.

No further details released and the cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

Tokaikolo church appeals order to close down its controversial south Auckland school

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Tokaikolo Church in South Auckland has appealed the order by the New Zealand Ministry of Education to close down its Pacific Christian School.

The Ministry ordered the school to close its doors on September 25.

Kaniva News has seen a  circular letter passed around kava clubs in South Auckland last week asking kava drinkers to sign it. The  letter is addressed to the Minister of Education and purports to be signed by parents of children  at the Pacific Christian School.

The first line of the letter which was dated the 16 of  September is quoted verbatim below:

“We (parents) of Pacific Christian School are hereby address our petition toward your ministry (MOE) decision regarding suspension of Pacific Christian School to be effective on the 25th of Sebtember 2015”.

We have received complaints that many of those who signed the letter did not send their children to the Pacific Christian School and did not understand the truths behind matters raised in the letter.

One person wrote on the Kaniva News Facebook page and asked us if we could explain to him why the Tokaikolo school had been closed. He said he and his family had been approached by two Tokaikolo ministers and asked to sign the letter.

The letter, which is again quoted verbatim below, listed what it said were the Tokaikolo school’s concerns about the government’s order:

  • The approach of suspension is very immediate.
  • The time of suspension is very critical.
  • We don’t want our children to go to state schools.
  • We want our children to be in a Christian school but Pacific Christian School is the best school for our children.
  • The financial requirements to enrol in another Christian school will not be affordable at this time.
  • This is the last term and the very short term of the year where our children is [sic] looking forward to receive [sic] their final results and reports, Surely they will never assess [sic] rightly in another school at this time.

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Melino Maka, the Chair of the Tonga Advisory Council in Auckland said he believed the appeal was a waste of time.

He said the Education Review Office and Police had already given the Tokaikolo school enough opportunities since June 2014 to avoid any decision that would affect the school, but the school’s management had failed to take the situation seriously.

Maka worked closely with the school last year after a student was stabbed with a pair of scissors by another student.

Maka said one of the main problems he could see while working with the school was that the Board of Trustees did not understand its core role was to make the final decisions and make sure the school abided by the Ministry’s rules and requirements.

He said he advised the school board to work together with Tongans at the Ministry of Education so they could help them follow the demands outlined by the Education Review Office in its letter of compliance.

Maka said he felt the board did not welcome the idea. Instead they hired a palangi who was operating a Christian school in Auckland as their consultant.

“That was fine, but they should have shown the ERO and the Ministry of Education they had a good sense of relationship and wanted to co-operate and work diligently with the Ministry,” Maka said.

“That’s the only way they had to be  fakatokilalo (humble) and show the Ministry they took what they demanded seriously in order for them to get back their license to operate the school.”

He said it would take until December 18 before the Ministry decided whether or not the license to operate the school was restored or terminated for good.

The Tokaikolo church could not be reached for comments.

The main points

  • The Tokaikolo Church in South Auckland has appealed the order by the New Zealand Ministry of Education to close down its Pacific Christian School.
  • Kaniva News has seen a circular letter passed around kava clubs in South Auckland last week. The letter is addressed to the Minister of Education and purports to be signed by parents of children at the Pacific Christian School.
  • We have received complaints that many of those who signed the letter did not send their children to the Pacific Christian School and did not understood the truths behind matters raised in the letter.
  • The Tokaikolo church could not be reach for comments.
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