Pacific Island Players Association to protect rugby players

Former Manu Samoan captain Mahonri Schwalger may have paid for voicing his views after the IRB World cup in 2011. He was dropped last year from the Manu Samoa team despite playing top Super 14 rugby in New Zealand. As a result in 2012, he joined former Fijian Captain Deacon Manu and Tongan Hale T-Pole in forming the Pacific Island players association to protect PI players interests

This from Radio New Zealand International this week.

The rugby community in Samoa, Fiji and Tonga say the formation of a Pacific Island Players Association is an important step forward for players in the professional age.
The association was formulated last year and launched a few months ago, although it’s hoped to be fully up and running in time for the November test window.
Vinnie Wylie spoke to those responsible for getting the initiative off the ground.
The Pacific Island Players Association was the brainchild of Fiji international Deacon Manu, Tonga’s Hale T-Pole and former Samoa captain Mahonri Schwalger. Manu has spent the past seven years playing in Wales and says the idea has been floating around for a while, it just needed someone to take the lead.

For the Full Interview on Radio New Zealand International Click here