5 replies to this topic

[Higgins]

Oh dear what will Stephen Jones make of this?

http://matangitonga....by-scholarships

Quote

17 young Tongan players win NZ rugby scholarships
Monday, January 30, 2012 - 18:35
Nuku'alofa, Tonga


Seventeen secondary school rugby players will take up rugby scholarships in New Zealand this year.
The manager of Tonga's Institute of Sports, Tu'ivaita Ueleni, said that the players included nine from the Under-18 team that toured New Zealand late last year. The nine players who left Tonga on January 21 to attend the Onehunga Technical Institute are Paula Fifita, Sami Taufa, Fe'aomoeuasi Hui, Taniela 'Ofa, Fetuli Paea, Sailosi Vaeatangitau, 'Ilaia Moala, Sione Kafatolu and Niukapu Taufa.
Three of the players, Sami Taufa, Fe'aomoeuasi Hui and Taniela 'Ofa, will also go on trial with the Auckland Rugby Academy when they arrive in Auckland.
Another eight players to receive 2012 scholarships were Loketi Manu and Mahe Vailanu for Auckland Grammar; Fa'ulua Makisi, Solomone Kata, 'Uluaki Taufa and Ma'ake Taulahi for Sacred Heart; and Samiuela Folau and Siaosi Tu'ineau for St Peters.
This is the second round of rugby scholarships to be awarded by New Zealand secondary schools and technical institutes in coordination with Tonga's Institute of Sports, following the success of six rugby scholarships awarded in 2011.
Tu'ivaita said that the Minister of Sports Hon. Fe'ao Vakata, had received his overseas education in New Zealand under a rugby scholarship.

Edited by Higgins, 04 February 2012 - 11:05 AM.

[Sambo]

interesting. So if this is being promoted by Tonga's Institute of Sport (which appears so) there surely must be caveats around being picked for NZ rep sides ??

[mimic]

ags and spc along with shc all still poaching.. some things never change.. lucky they limited the international players you could have in your squad

[taniwharugby]

anyone would think that this is a new concept?

[Sambo]

just surprised the Tongan institute of sport is so actively involved. On that basis i would have thought there would be caveats around them coming back into the Tongan system. Maybe i'm jut naive but would have thought that would be part of the deal.

[mimic]

nah..

if the tongans crack it in nz.. they tongan institute will make a lot of money by getting more people wanting to go there.. its just them advertising themselves..