Wales v Tonga in NZ??

[rowan]

I've been saying for a long time Samoa & Tonga should be playing their home tests in Auckland. & the reason I say that is I'd like to see them play more often against tier 1 teams, but that's not going to happen in Apia or Nuku'alofa...

Wales' summer Test match against Tonga will be staged in another country after Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) concerns over the suitability of the stadium in Nuku'alofa could not be satisfied.

The game is now likely to take place in Auckland, New Zealand on 17 June.

The WRU had expressed doubts over the readiness of Teufaiva Sport Stadium, which is being redeveloped.

Another concern was the availability of medical cover should a serious injury occur.

Delegations from World Rugby and the WRU visited Tonga in December to see whether sufficient progress had been made, but concerns remained that the pitch will not be fit for purpose.

The match is now likely to take place the day before the British and Irish Lions take on New Zealand Maori in Rotorua, while Wales' game in Samoa will go ahead as planned in Apia on 24 June.

Tonga has rarely had the the opportunity to host tier-one nations. The last time Wales toured the islands in the South Pacific was more than 20 years ago, in 1994.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/38999903