Giant talent in rugby poaching row

Siate Tokolahi wants to play for Canterbury. Photo / Herald on Sunday

A rising rugby star who dreams of playing for the All Blacks is at the centre of a poaching row between two top private schools.

Siate Tokolahi - a 17-year-old, 111kg Tongan prop renowned for his strength in the scrum - has withdrawn from Sacred Heart College in Auckland and may miss his NCEA exams.

The dispute was triggered by his plan to move to Christchurch, where he hoped to one day represent Canterbury and the Crusaders on his way to playing for New Zealand.

Sacred Heart's principal Jim Dale said Tokolahi was flown from Tonga this year "sight unseen" following a recommendation over his rugby ability.

He was awarded Sacred Heart's annual Sean Fitzpatrick scholarship to cover the cost of tuition, boarding, a uniform and other fees to December.

The row revolves around a disagreement over how long Tokolahi had committed to stay at Sacred Heart.

Dale said they believed through "trust" that Tokolahi would stay at the school for two years.

Canterbury Rugby Union youth development officer Dave McLennan said the signed agreement was for one.

The Tokolahi family only recently decided the teen should move to Christchurch after meeting union representatives in Tonga.

McLennan said the family asked them to find a school for Tokolahi and negotiations were underway for him to attend St Bede's Catholic College, which suggested it would be willing to reduce its boarding fee.

Dale said he found out through a parent that Tokolahi was considering leaving.

St Bede's Rector Justin Boyle said Dale rang him and accused him of player poaching.

Boyle said the claim was unfounded and the school had been approached by the union: "We are not in the business of poaching."

McLennan alleges Dale called Tokolahi into his office two weeks ago and told him to sign an agreement to remain with Sacred Heart for 2010.

According to McLennan, Tokolahi said he wanted to talk to his father and Dale gave him two days to sign.

McLennan alleged that Tokolahi was that night refused food at the school's boarding hostel - a claim Dale denies. The boy left the school on the Friday.

According to McLennan, Dale told Tokolahi he could return if his family paid $4000 for the rest of the year or signed an agreement to stay for 2010.

McLennan said he was "horrified" by Dale's alleged treatment of Tokolahi and accused him of being "irresponsible" for "kicking the boy out of school" and not letting him sit his NCEA level 2 exams.

"He is putting rugby before academia."

Tokolahi confirmed he wanted to move to Christchurch where he hopes to earn a Canterbury contract.

Dale said he believed the teen was being manipulated. He said the school loved Tokolahi but it was his opinion he was being "used as a pawn in a rugby game," adding: "We want the boy back."

He said Sacred Heart Old Boys had invested a lot of money in Tokolahi and were upset about his departure. They had even bought him a ticket home to Tonga for Christmas.

"This young man should be at our school. He was loving life at our school," said Dale, who accused "agents" and "minders" of "coercing the student to lie" about his intention to go to Christchurch.

Former All Black Sean Fitzpatrick had heard about the saga, but wanted to stay out of it.

However, he commented: "Canterbury can be aggressive in getting players."

A friend of the Tokolahi family, Siliva Payn, said the boy's father was "very upset".

Cliff Lyon, a lawyer for the family, urged both sides to come to a resolution and to make sure Tokolahi was at school, no matter where.

"The schools should be looking out for the boy at the end of the day."