Willie ’0 says no to $1.2 million

WOULD you spurn $1.2 million for anything? Tonga’s power house rugby international, Viliami ’Ofahengaue did.

The big bustling Tongan-born

breakway known as “Willy ’O”, declined the money for turning to rugby league from his favourite, rugby union.

Ofahengaue, who was instrumental in the Australian Wallabies’ triumph in the Rugby World Cup, turned down the offer to stay on in rugby union, which has made him immensely popular in Austra lia and world-wide. Rugby union offic ials are terrified of losing top players to rugby league, which pays handsomely for a player’s ability and performance.

Willie ’O is the Tongan 1.9 metre, 100 kg powerhouse known in Australian rugby circuits as one of the several rugby union players sought after they won the prestigious World Cup last November 2.

His lawyer, Kahu Baron-Afeake, at first claimed that ’Ofahengaue was “99 per cent sure” of signing a three-year contract with top Sydney rugby league club, St George. “It will put him in the top 10 or 15 players in Australia for earnings,” his lawyer told reporters.

But pressure from rugby union col leagues and his Manly Club, which took him in after he was stranded in Australia a few years ago travelling with the New Zealand youth team, is believed to have dissuaded Willie ’O. He told enquirers: “I didn’t say no to him (lawyer) and I didn’t say yes. But I’ve made up my

mind that I don’t want to play rugby 1 league, no matter what the money is. It’s; not my game, and I don’t think I would I like it much.”

St George officials stayed confident of Willie ’O joining them. Coach Brian; Smith said they forked out SAI.S million; specially for Willie ’O. “It’s no big secret that we had discussions with him. The 1 money’s available if he joined us.” The: money was to be given as salary.

His stardom at the cup final at Twickenham last year earned him popu larity. Tongan Rugby Union officials; invited him to play in a President’s XV against a visiting New Zealand XV in January, When he returned to Sydney,, he was immediately told of a New South; Wales state camp on Februry 7-9.

Willie ’O joined the Sydney Manly

club after he was left stranded in; Australia while visiting the country with; the New Zealand rugby union youth; team. He did not have a visa to return; to New Zealand. Manly club has since; developed contacts with Willie O’s; homeland, where it toured for an; invitation Sevens tournament this year.

Manly president lan Macdonald, claimed that Willie O had spoken; “warmly about his enjoyment playing; rugby union for Australian and that he; was looking forward to resuming his;

representative career this year”.

Since 1988, league has spread! throughout Tonga. It also is played in; Samoa, the Cook Islands and Papua.

New Guinea. □