The man who once changed his name to ‘Paddy Power’ is back.
To describe Epi Taione as outspoken would be a hefty understatement.
The former Tongan international, who is now chairman of the nation’s rugby union, has aimed every barrel he has at World Rugby for what he views to be a skewed rankings system.
In doing show, he has managed to offend Irish and caravan owners.
Taione, who changed his name to Paddy Power at the 2007 World Cup, has made remarks that, no doubt, reference the fact that World Rugby’s headquarters are in Dublin.
The rankings, he said, are ‘colonialist bullshit’ and are ‘worked out in a gypsy caravan park in Ireland somewhere’.
Taione told the New Zealand Herald, “Rugby is so out of touch. It’s run by colonialists who still think they run the world like it was 100 years ago.
“They say let’s spread the game but it’s complete and utter shit.”
He added, “They want us to compete but we get €900,000 a year while Argentina, New Zealand and the other SANZAR countries have received €10.3 million before the tournament.
“The money should be evenly distributed. And we still only get one vote for all of the Pacific Island members – it should be Tonga one vote, Samoa one vote, Fiji one vote. I cannot see how our voice will be heard.
“€900,000 to float a union is an insult … Where is the even playing field? We have no home games to generate revenue and we’re lucky to get one Tier 1 Test.”
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