Organisers of the Rugby League World Cup are dismissing criticism over the lack of community events for passionate Pacific Island fans, after clashes have broken out between Tonga and Toa Samoa supporters.
The rebuttal comes after community leaders have claimed there's simply no official outlet for the fans to get together peacefully.
"We've engaged with community leaders in Hamilton and Auckland over the last six months and we built our programme based on their feedback," a spokesperson for the Rugby League World Cup told 1 NEWS.
Melino Maka believes the violence between Tongan and Samoan fans could have been avoided by tournament organisers. (Source: Other)
Tongan Advisory Council Member Melino Maka disagrees with this statement though.
"I think that this tournament was poorly organised, if you look at the 2011 tournament it was 18 months out and the organisers engaged the community groups and we sat down and planned activities for our respective teams and each community focused on that.
"But this year nothing, they scrambled around trying to do something and hopefully they will learn from this. New Zealand is quite diverse and we need that space to organise ourselves so we can enjoy the tournament," Mr Maka said.
Yesterday Samoan-Kiwi heavyweight boxing legend David Tua and even Government Ministers were drafted in to address the situation.
Heavyweights from the Pacific Islands community including Tua have stepped in to help. (Source: Other)
"If you believe that you have what it takes to be a fighter, please call me I'm very easy to find I'm in Onehunga, get in the ring and make something beautiful of yourself," Tua challenged the fans.
Samoa play Tonga in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton at 7:30pm tomorrow.
SHARE ME