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Tonga Rugby Union announce new chief executive as five-year blueprint unveiled
By Online Editors
The Tongan Rugby Union have announced a new chief executive as part of the union's plans to improve governance and administrative leadership in the coming years.
TRU president Siaosi Pohiva last week confirmed the appointment of Peter Harding, who takes over from vice president Fe'ao Vunipola.
Confirmation of Harding - who has previously held the roles of Tongan general manager and high performance manager between 2012 and 2016 - as the new chief executive comes four months after a tripartite agreement was signed between the TRU, World Rugby and the Tongan government.
According to RNZ, the agreement - which was signed off by Pohiva on behalf of the TRU, Tongan government representative Poasi Tei and World Rugby's David Carrigy - was put in place to help build a sustainable future off the field for Tongan rugby.
"We agreed this agreement outlines the objectives, high level requirements and performances measures for the Tonga high performance programme and the responsibilities for all parties during the 2020-2024 period," Pohiva said, as per RNZ.
RNZ also reports there was a belief upon the signing of the agreement that World Rugby would provide "strategic input, administration leadership and governance" once a new chief executive had been found.
In doing so, it is hoped that Tonga's potential within international rugby will be maximised within the coming years.
In addition to working for the TRU in the past, Harding has also been strength and conditioning coach for Clermont, Toyota Verblitz and the Wallabies, a director of physical performances at London Irish, and, most recently, a high performance consultant for World Rugby.
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Latest Comments
France got a typically french 14 point try last week and they'll need to look for chances for another couple to be comfortable in the win against Argentina.
Fiji could actually be the ones for upset of the week. Typically clunky with players always in and out of their team this would be about the time they put another England beating performance in against Ireland.
SA to be as strong again this week carrying away from their opposition. Probably an underpar performance though.
New Zealand will be determined to actually put the triple figure score on the Azzurri this time. In actual fact a tired and physically beaten AB side has been chosen for this one so expect to see some space and free flowing rugby from both teams but still nothing more than a 30 point gap between them.
Aussie will be thwarted by a draw in their Slam attempt, otherwise another 1 point game either way.
Lets hope Japan is selecting more of its stop starters like France's Tavita Tatafu's cousin, Tavita Tatafu, otherwise it could be the biggest scoreline game of the weekend.
Go to commentsBack then, Jen it was respect and tremendous rivalries even in provincials! Scores didn't seem to matter exactly! 🙃
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