Families turn in runaway players

By ALAN PERROTT

Families representing half of the 14 Tongan rugby players on the run from immigration officials have agreed to send them home, says immigration consultant Salote Lilo.

The men, part of a 30-strong under-21 team from the northern Tongan group of Vava'u on a two-week rugby tour, disappeared after checking in for their return flight at Auckland International Airport on September 8.

Mrs Lilo, from Apraxus Immigration, is embarrassed by their actions after helping the team to obtain entry visas and has called on the Tongan community to convince the players to return home.

She said seven families called her yesterday seeking advice on how to get the men home without further punishment.

The players' return tickets have now expired, but Mrs Lilo said their families were trying to find the money for replacements.

Immigration officials reluctantly issued visas to the team after receiving assurances they would leave. Visa delays caused the abandonment of their first match.

It is understood a $2000 bond normally charged to visiting teams was also waived.

The Immigration Service has said the 14 can still avoid being banned as overstayers for five years if they return home by Monday.

The players' actions have also stalled the entry permits being sought by the Tongan women's rugby league team, which hopes to take part in the Women's World Cup, due to begin at North Harbour Stadium on September 28.

Mrs Lilo said she has been let down by team manager Sioeli Tonga and suspects the mass escape might have been planned.

"From the beginning I believed in them and I believed their intentions were genuine. But after they all didn't go back I thought twice and thought it was their intention to come and then flee in Auckland.

"Mr Tonga had given his assurance that he would return to Tonga with 30 young men, but he was still the first on the plane after they ran."

Mrs Lilo said she had spoken to one player, who told her he was scared about what would happen to him and claimed his family were unwilling to help.

The players' two-week tour involved three matches against the Auckland under-19s, an under-19 grade team and the Waitemata Colts.

David Sims, of the Auckland Rugby Union, told Holmes it was unusual that he had to organise formal playing gear for the team, but they almost beat the union's under-19 open representative side.

"Longer term, it will be disappointing for the rest of the Tongan people and Tongan sports people because these guys have had a selfish attitude which will ruin it for many others," he said.

Mrs Lilo warned the Tongan community that other overstayers risked getting caught up in the hunt unless the players were convinced to fly home voluntarily.

* Yesterday's Herald report incorrectly referred to the team as a rugby league team, based on information supplied by an immigration consultant.