Tongan players have criticised World Rugby on social media for allowing their Pacific Nations Cup match against Samoa to proceed despite a water-logged field.
Playing at Apia Park, hosts Samoa were able to claim a 27-15 victory over Tonga after the visitors lost two players to yellow cards in the closing stages of the match.
However, Tonga stars Sam Lousi and Cooper Vuna both slammed World Rugby after the match for allowing the game to kick off in atrocious conditions.
Following a week of torrential rain in the Samoan capital, the pitch had denegrated into a muddy bog, making handling considerably difficult and resulting in an error-filled Test between the two nations.
Hurricanes lock Lousi, who was on debut for Tonga, was among the first to voice his displeasure at the game’s governing body.
S/o to @WorldRugby for signing off the field for us to play on today???? pic.twitter.com/nQxgc2bZYs
— Sam Lousi (@samlousi) July 27, 2019
His tweet was retweeted by Newcastle Falcons utility back Cooper Vuna, who also questioned the decision to allow the game to go on as planned.
Please @WorldRugby enlighten us all on what processes you took to allow this game to go ahead? My question is – if a tier 1 team was to play that day ,would the game still go on? #PlayerWelfare https://t.co/TwWkrqkn5N
— Cooper Vuna (@CVUNA) July 28, 2019
