Money and Mate Ma’a Tonga

Tongan players talk about tough choices and a huge gap in resources between powerful rugby nations and the Pacific. And they ask: ''Is this structural racism?"

"It's racism, structural racism - the home unions know the threat, I think of our smaller unions getting too strong."

Pakilau Aotearoa Manase Lua, Tongan elder and member of NZ Rugby's Pacific Action Group, talks about the tough choices faced by players and the vast gap in resources between the powerful and the Pacific islands - and draws a troubling conclusion.

Former Tonga and Highlanders backrower and current Pacific Rugby Players head Hale T Pole tells us about how that gap led to some unconventional fundraising methods.

"We're all wearing undies, dye our hair, everything."

And the challenges he faces every day.

''Don't ever compare us, the Pacific Islands, to what other emerging nations have gone through. There's no comparison.''

Wallaby great and current Tonga coach Toutai Kefu discusses the impact of all these issues on the players' mindset.

John's former Lions teammate and ex-Tonga captain Inoke Afeaki likens the exodus of Tongan players to overseas clubs to a "slave trade' but the Tongan Prime Minister, Siaosi Sovaleni, argues that the problems with World Rugby are "being resolved".

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details