Tongan team taken to task

Press, 14 July 1980, Page 18

Tongan team taken to task

PA Wellington The actions of the Tongan rugby team which toured Western Samoa in May and June have ben described as “a disgraceful exhibition of poor sportsmanship” in the latest edition of “Savali,” Western Samoa’s official English-language newspaper. , The Tongans were supposed to have played five matches against Western Samoan teams — three ordinary games and two tests — but left for Tonga before the second test could be played on June 7. An article in the June 25 issue of “Savali,’ headlined “A shameful display of ingratitude,” claimed that the Tongans had left early because they were scared of losing the second test, after having lost three of the four previous matches. It also outlined the events leading up to the Tongans’ departure, and criticised the reasons given by the Tongans for their actions. The article said that the Tongans decided to leave after being “humiliated” by the Western Samoan colts, 16-0, and did not even tell the families who were putting them up about the decision. The team told the Western Samoa Prime Minister and president of the Samoa Rugby Union, Tupuola Efi. that they had decided to go because of poor

refereeing and uncontrolled spectators. Commenting on the neutral referee, Mr Tom Doocey, of Canterbury, a spokesman for the Tongans said he had “controlled the game well to a certain extent.”

These complaints wiere repeated on the team’s return to Tonga. ' - The article quoted one observer as saying that the team’s abrupt departure was a “saveface tactic.” It said that the Western Samoan rugby team which toured Tonga in 1978 suffered much the same conditions the Tongans were now complaining about, but the Samoans did not complain and had finished the tour. In a statement published in “Savali,” the Western Samoa Rugby Union described the Tongans’ actions as “an insult to the Vaivase community who billetted them.” “Tongan complaints about the team’s safety represent hypocrisy of the highest order,” the union said. The union will seek an investigation of the affair.by the New Zealand and Australian Rugby Unions.

And. until a public apology is received for the Tongans’ “rudeness. their dishonesty, and their insults," the Samoans will have no more dealings with the Tongan Rugby Football Union, the union said.