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Door open for Folau to play for Tonga after striking Super League deal

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Brad Walter NRL.com Senior Reporter

Rugby Australia’s decision to settle a legal case with Israel Folau over his sacking for homophobic comments has paved the way for him to join Catalans and possibly return to the Test arena with Tonga.

ARLC chairman Peter V’landys and his predecessor Peter Beattie have made it clear Folau would not be welcome in the NRL after posting his views on social media but he has never been officially banned.

Knowing the obstacles and reaction to signing Folau, no NRL club has been willing to take a risk on him but RFL officials admit the threat of court action prevented them from blocking his recruitment by Catalans.

“However distasteful his previous comments, we don’t believe that, under our current regulatory framework, these can prevent his participation in the sport,” an RFL statement said.

Super League CEO Robert Elstone added: “Super League does not have the authority to veto the registration of players and is satisfied by the due diligence carried out by The Rugby Football League.”  

Put simply, the RFL does not have the financial resources to pay out millions of dollars like Rugby Australia did after Folau sued them for wrongful dismissal.

With Folau seeking damages of up to $14 million, RA reached a confidential out-of-court settlement with the controversial star in December and issued an apology.

Elstone and RFL officials tried to dissuade Catalans from signing Folau and have imposed conditions on his registration, which include a hefty fine for the French club if he makes any homophobic comments.

Beyond that, they had little option but to accept his registration on a one-year deal valued at £200,000 and said the “moral responsibility for deciding whether to sign a player sits with individual clubs”.

This contrasts with a statement last year in which the RFL said it had the “ultimate discretion to refuse to register a player where … he has been deregistered by any other governing body”.

The International Rugby League board discussed Folau’s eligibility at the end of last season after he declared his availability for Tonga amid a dispute between the Pacific nation’s governing body and players over the sacking of coach Kristian Woolf.

With the IRL suspending the Tonga National Rugby League and reinstating Woolf, Folau’s selection did not become an issue as the St Helens mentor stuck solid with the players who had been loyal to the red jersey.

Tonga’s next Test will be against the No.1-ranked Kiwis during the June standalone representative weekend but it remains to be seen if Folau would force his way into a squad that has largely been together since the 2017 World Cup.

Officially, he will be considered but the 30-year-old has not played league for a decade after leaving Brisbane Broncos in 2010 to join AFL club GWS Giants.

Salary cap issues prevented Folau’s return to the NRL with Parramatta in 2013 and he signed with RA instead.

The moral responsibility for deciding whether to sign a player sits with individual clubs.RFL statement

Despite the ugly end to his Australian union career, the IRL is unlikely to stand in the way of Tonga selecting Folau in June or for this year’s Oceania Cup fixtures in October providing he is registered to play league.

He is not eligible to represent Queensland again as only NRL-contracted players are able to play in the State of Origin arena.

Folau said via a club statement that he would not be making any public comments over his controversial views on homosexuality.

“I’m a proud Christian, my beliefs are personal, my intention is not to hurt anyone and I will not be making further public comment about them,” Folau said.

If he does break that agreement, his contract can automatically be terminated by the Super League.

The views in this article do not necessarily express the opinions of the NRL, ARLC, NRL clubs or state associations.

Body in Tongatapu home ‘not suspicious’ police reportedly say

By
Kaniva Staff
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Police were satisfied there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of a 25-year-old woman whose body was found at a home in Sopu on Tuesday evening.

This was despite a post mortem being scheduled this week to determine the exact cause of death, reports said.

Police investigation continues.

No further details available.

Tongatapu police arrest four people with meth and cannabis

By
Kalino Latu
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Four people have been arrested in Tongatapu following drug busts in Matangiake and Tokomololo on Sunday 26.

A 50-year-old man and another who is 58-year-old, both from Navutoka and a 21-year-old woman from Talafo’ou were arrested from a bush allotment in Matangiake

Police seized 26 packs of methamphetamine (7.94 grams), and 1 pack of cannabis (2.46 grams) while arresting them.

Following this arrest the Taskforce also arrested a 50-year-old Fangaloto man from a residence at Tokomololo with 14 packs of methamphetamine (11.09 grams),  5 packs of cannabis (2.46 grams), and over $400 pa’anga cash.

All accused are in police custody and to be charged accordingly with possession of illicit drugs.  

“This is a significant result as part of the main objective of police operation is to help the community feel safe, and we are hopeful the operation will have a positive effect in reducing drug related harm in the community,” said A/Deputy Commissioner Vailea. 

“The impact of any ongoing supply of illicit drugs on a community results in huge social harm, negative health implications and financial harms, particularly drug users and their families. 

Australia Day ‘local hero’ awards recognise work of Tongan volunteers in Brisbane

By
Kaniva Staff
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Two members of Brisbane’s Tongan Community have been awarded Australia Day Local Heroes Community Service Awards.

Rev. Maile Molitika and Mele Ngauamo, both active members of the Brisbane Tongan Community, were presented with the awards at Oxley Bowls Club on Sunday.

Rev. Molitika has been Minister of the Uniting Church of Australia Tongan Congregation at Highgate Hill for the past seven years.

He has volunteered in a range of activities, including co-ordinating fund raisers, championing respite programmes, broadcasting spiritual devotions and being President of the Brisbane Tongan Community Inc.

Mele Ngauamo (nee Manu) has been an active volunteer broadcaster with the Voice of Tonga on Radio 4EB FM since 1988.

MP Dick Milton with BTC members

She has served on community boards, fund raising events, respite care and as Treasurer of the Brisbane Tongan Community Inc.

Both Rev. Maile and Mrs Ngauamo have represented the Tonga High Commission at local functions  with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

“It’s so humbling to see two of our fellow Tongans recognised for their tireless efforts in serving as volunteers to build our community,” the Brisbane Tongan Community’s Public Officer said.

Australia Day Local Hero Community Service Award recipients

“We all enjoy the fruits of successes for our people, but it’s the sacrifices of time, finances and at times, set-backs, by a dedicated few that often go unseen, that inevitably become the heartbeat of our thriving Tongan Community.”

The Australia Day Awards were open to volunteers living in or active members of community groups based in the Moorooka, Oxley and Teneriffe Wards of Brisbane City Council.

They were nominated by Cr Steve Griffiths from the Brisbane City Council Moorooka Ward.

Tongan Silverfern Meatworks employee dies in Dargaville, NZ

By
Kalino Latu
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A Tongan worker has died in New Zealand.

Fungalei Uailangilala passed away last night, Monday 27.

He was employed by Silverfern Meatworks in Dargaville.

The cause of his death is currently being determined by post-mortem.

The next of kin has been advised and they’ve asked for privacy at this time so that they can let their extended family know, Tonga’s RSE liason officer in New Zealand Sefita Haouli told Kaniva News.

Four men face court today after weekend drug busts; Police say narcotics remain a priority

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tongan police arrested four men and seized drugs and ammunition in weekend raids.

Assistant Deputy Commissioner Tevita Vailea said , the Police Drug Enforcement Taskforce made the arrests on Saturday morning from a mechanic’s workshop at ‘Umusi.

Vailea said police seized two packs of cocaine weighing 1.04 grams, 1.43 grams of cannabis, two .22 bullets and over TP$5000 cash.

The four arrested include men from Kolomotu’a, Kolofo’ou, Fangaloto and Vaini.

All four were due to appear at the Magistrate Court today, January 27.

“These arrests should reassure the community that preventing illicit drugs supply is a high priority for Police,” the Assistant Deputy Commissioner said.

“We will continue to target those who supply drugs within our community, and hold them to account for their crimes.

“As always, the Police rely on members of the public to pass on any information about drug cultivation, manufacture and/or dealing.”

Vailea said anybody with information relating to drug related offending should contact police on 22782.

Last year Tongan police launched a  campaign against drugs, with 250 people arrested by mid tear and more than 30kg if methamphetamines worth NZ$36 million seized.

Arrests and court appearances continued through the year, with six arrests in December at different locations in Tongatapu.

They were arrested and charged with possession and distribution of methamphetamine and cannabis, as well as the possession of drug processing utensils.

The main points

  • Tongan police arrested four men and seized drugs and ammunition in weekend raids.
  • Assistant Deputy Commissioner Tevita Vailea said , the Police Drug Enforcement Taskforce made the arrests on Saturday morning from a mechanic’s workshop at ‘Umusi.

Coronavirus ‘whistleblower’ nurse says China has 90,000 sick

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Laura Italiano, New York Post

The coronavirus now has a whistleblower — a nurse in Wuhan who insists in a shocking online video that close to 90,000 people in China have the disease, far more than the 1,975 reported by officials.

“I am in the area where the coronavirus started,” her video begins. Wuhan is the epicenter of the outbreak.

“I’m here to tell the truth,” the anonymous nurse says in the video, which shows her wearing a full-head face mask.

“At this moment, Hubei province, including the Wuhan area, even China, 90,000 people have been infected by a coronavirus.”

She does not reveal how she arrived at the sobering statistic.

The video has been viewed on YouTube some two million times, the Daily Mail reported.

Other horrifying videos have shown dead bodies covered in sheets lying in hospital hallways.

Tongan sport trainees in China to return home; PM says they are ‘safe’ amid coronavirus outbreak

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga’s sport team who were currently training in China were preparing to return to the kingdom next week, the Prime Minister said in a statement today.

He described the condtion of Tongans and Tongan students in Wuhan, China as safe “tu’unga hao.”

Wuhan is the epicentre of the deadly coronavirus outbreak which is continuing to spread throughout China.

Hon Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa said the Tongan ambassador in Beijing has confirmed the students were all cared for and healthy.

The Prime Minister said he has talked to the Chinese Ambassador in Nuku’alofa and the Tongan Ambassador in Beijing to make sure the sport team were safe before they will arrive in Tonga.

In Tongan the Prime Minister said: “Pea kuo fai e talanga mo e ‘amipasitoa ‘o Siaina ‘i Tonga ni kae pehe foki ki he ‘amipasitoa ‘o Tonga ‘i Beijing, Siaina ki he fakapapau’i e malu ‘a e fanau sipoti kimu’a ke nau foki mai ki Tonga ni. Kuo fakahä mai foki mei he ‘amipasitoa ‘o Tonga i Beijing, Siaina ‘oku malu pe ‘a e fanau ako kotoa ‘i Wuhan, Siaina pea oku tokangaekina ‘enau mo’ui lelei.”

The Prime Minister said Tonga’s Ministry of Health is working closely with the World Health Organisation to make sure the country is safe.

He said he and his cabinet were “cautious” of the mystery viral pneumonia and to make sure no one would die from it.

Hon Tu’i’onetoa said talks had been held to make sure the Ministry of Health and the government were prepared to protect the public’s well-being.

The Prime Minister said he has discussed the deadly outbreak with the Australian and New Zealand high commissioners in Tonga.

“China is ramping up containment measures as the spread of a new coronavirus that has killed 56 people and infected at least 1,975 more in the country accelerates,” Alzajeera reported.

The website said: “A nationwide ban on wildlife trade is in place and more than 56 million people in almost 20 cities are affected by travel restrictions, which have been introduced amid fears the transmission rate will balloon as hundreds of millions of Chinese travel for the Lunar New Year celebrations.”

Four cases of 2019-nCoV were diagonised in Australia with three in NSW and one in Victoria.

“NSW Health said on Sunday afternoon another person had tested positive, according to their preliminary test results, though more follow-up was needed.

Three men are in hospital in Sydney after flying in from China, while another man in his 50s is being treated in Melbourne,” reported the Guardian.

The number of confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in the U.S. has risen to five.

All of the U.S. cases are patients who have recently traveled from Wuhan.

Other countries to have reported cases of the virus include France, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and South Korea.

Why did a mother have to die? Looking for an answer to Tongan community’s rising level of gang violence in New Zealand

By
Kaniva Staff
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Commentary by Kaniva news.

Tongans in New Zealand have more opportunities than before.

There are Tongans in the New Zealand cabinet, Tongans are graduating with doctorates in everything from philosophy to chemistry and more and more are entering the professions.

Tongans are becoming more prosperous and have many examples among their community they can look to for stories of success.

So why was a Tongan mother shot dead in Favona last week?

Police suspect she was killed  by gang members who went to her house looking for her son.

This is the latest in a number of cases where Tonga’s in New Zealand have been involved in drug related crime.  Some of these cases had been the largest ever  in New Zealand criminal history.

The behaviour of these criminals does not reflect the behavior or the beliefs of most Tongans.

So what has happened?

According to The Economist, New Zealand has one of the world’s biggest gang membership rates. Last year New Zealand police said the problem had been made worse  by the deportation of Australian gang members to New Zealand. With more gang members there have been more threats inter-gang violence, use of firearms and corrupting of officials.

More young people have become involved with drugs and as they get older or more ambitious  may seek to join one of the hardcore criminal units. Police describe some juvenile gang members as ‘wannabes’ who like to dress the part and commit petty crimes, but who are disorganised.

There have been concerns about Tongan criminal gangs such as the so-called Tongan Crip Gang since the 90s when Police in Utah identified several Islander based gangs, including the Tongan Crip Gangsters and the Tongan Style Gangsters.

The problems of disaffected, poor and badly educated young people becoming gang members is reflected on this side of the Pacific.

In 2018 The Guardian reported that Auckland was “struggling to provide adequate housing, transport and social services for its booming – and very youthful – Pacific population. The median age of Islanders in Auckland is just 22.6 years, and they are disproportionately represented in low socioeconomic indicators. Overcrowding has become an entrenched issue as Auckland has become one of the most expensive cities in the world to live.”

These slow burning problems lie at the back of many criminal activities.

New Zealand police believe young people may be drawn to a life of crime by poverty and from living in depressed or disorganised communities which lack a sense of pride.

In such communities the parents’ engagement with their children can be limited by their long work hours and financial pressures. Parental unemployment might also be a factor. Gangs can provide a source of financial and material gain.

Young people of Island descent may be badly affected by the loss of village support by first- and second-generation immigrants.

Where children do poorly at school, or are excluded from school because of their behaviour, they may also start on the path towards serious adult gang membership. Statistics show that young men of Islander descent are over-represented in jails and the courts.

The temptation of the enormous sums of money that can be made from drug dealing are too much for many to resist.

But for many gang members, there is often also the attraction that gang membership offers a surrogate family, a structure and respect that they feel they do not have at home.

There is no easy answer to these issues and there never has been. Punishment alone will not change things. Experience has often shown that sometimes the only solution is for parents, schools, communities, police, churches and social services to work together to reach out to gang members, particularly when they are young and before they become enmeshed in drugs and hard crime and to keep holding that hand out.

There also need to be major changes in the way students are educated, in what work is available, what apprenticeships and skills are provided. This is something for the government. There may also need to be major changes in the way some parents raise their children and in the demands placed on families by pastors and ministers who sometimes forget they have grown up in New Zealand and not Tonga.

No mother should die and no young Tongan should be deluded into thinking that a life of crime will bring them respect.

It is time for the Tongan community to come together and  prove to potential gang members that they can achieve respect through education, work and the support of caring families and a stable community.

Trial date set for man charged with arson fire that killed Tongan grandmother in US

By
Kalino Latu
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Fifita Ponifasio Tau, 27, is suspected of starting the fire that killed a Tongan grandmother in San Mateo, US.

He is scheduled for a March 27 preliminiary hearing, East Palo Alto media reported.

Authorities said Tau thought it was the residence of rival West Side Tonga Gang members.

He is charged with arson and murder in the 19 Feb 2019 death of Susana Tonga, at her South Humboldt Street home.

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