Updated at 20.45
THE ROMANIAN RUGBY Federation have announced that all profits from their last World Cup warm-up game against Tonga will be donated to aid a Tongan player suffering from kidney failure.
Romania face the Pacific island side this weekend, in their final warm-up game before taking on France on September 23, but have announced that all profits from ticket sales will be given to Sione Vaiomounga, a Tongan-born flanker who previously played with Romanian champions CSM Baia Mare.
Vaiomounga had to give up rugby last year after being diagnosed with kidney failure, and the Romanian federation (FFR) say the funds will allow him see his family for the first time in over a year.
A statement from the FFR said:
“The financial situation of Tongan citizens overall and that of his family, in particular, does not allow them to travel abroad and the doctors believe that seeing his loved ones will benefit his recovery,” the federation said in a statement.
“Regardless of our nationality, we have in common the passion for rugby and everything it represents,” added FRR president Haralambie Dumitras.
“It is natural to support those in need.”
A classy touch from Romania, showing everything that’s great about sport.
