Welsh Rugby Union and World Rugby announced Thursday that they were moving the test between the ‘Ikale Tahi and Wales out of Tonga as a result of the state’s “redevelopment work on its national stadium”.
Welsh Rugby Union chairman Gareth Davies issued a statement and said: “…unfortunately time has proved to be against us all and, although difficult, it is the right decision to move the game.”
Wales’ match against Tonga was likely to be moved to Auckland.
Wales Online has reported that, “World Rugby have confirmed the June 17 fixture will be moved from the Tongan capital Nuku’alofa because of redevelopment work on the national stadium”.
World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: “World Rugby shares in Tonga’s disappointment that this match will be moved given the huge effort made by the TRU to date but the decision was jointly agreed by the WRU and World Rugby with the objective of ensuring that the fixture can go ahead albeit in a different location.
“We are working with our friends at the Tonga Rugby Union to deliver a match venue befitting of such an occasion and we remain committed to supporting the union with future Test match hosting opportunities.”
Welsh Rugby Union chairman Gareth Davies said: “Everyone involved in the planning for this tour wanted the game to be hosted in Tonga and this is the reason we have delayed before confirming the fixture.
“The Tonga Rugby Union should be commended for their efforts in relation to the redevelopment of their national stadium but unfortunately time has proved to be against us all and, although difficult, it is the right decision to move the game.”
Wales are also known to have been concerned with a lack of medical facilities in Tonga of the standard required by a modern Test squad, Wales Online reported.
“As part of the same tour, Wales will play Samoa in Apia on 24 June . Combined with Italy and Scotland playing Test matches in Fiji in June, Fiji playing Australia in Melbourne and the Oceania Rugby World Cup 2019 qualification fixtures in July, the Pacific Island teams will have a strong schedule of international Test matches in June/July of this year”.
