Tonga has delayed the naming of its 30-person World Cup squad following court action over continuing turmoil in the Pacific nation’s rugby union.
Tonga was due to name its squad for September’s World Cup on Thursday but the country’s Supreme Court the same day ordered the Tongan Rugby Union to hold an annual general meeting to resolve long-running divisions.
A spokesperson for the union said the naming of the final squad would be delayed until after the meeting, which Chief Justice Anthony Ford ordered be held by August 24.
The court action was brought by union life member Sione Taumoepeau following a split in the union.
In March this year, three board members of the union resigned, claiming that the other four members of the board had been meeting separately and had made unauthorised decisions.
There have also been reports since of attempts by disaffected members to take over the union.
Tonga has already named a squad of 40 players to prepare for the World Cup but still has to name the final squad of 30 which will travel to France. — AFP
