Paddy Power World Cup Rugby Foray Falls Flat

Irelands Rugby World Cup campaign is not proceeding as its supporters may have liked, but the Emerald Isles national squad is not the only green team who has not lived up to expectations.

Paddy Power, an Irish Bookmaker, entered into an agreement to sponsor the cash-strapped Tongan national rugby team, reportedly for a five-figure sum. The deal comes with several provisions, one being that Tongan player Epi Taione change his name by deed pole to Paddy Power before the World Cup kicked off. Taione, or Power as he is now known, did so. However the International Rugby Board (IRB) would not accept this and refused to amend his entry.

The Tongans were set to take to the field against England on Friday with their hair dyed green as part of their agreement with the bookmaker. However the IRB said that this would “constitute advertising” and has ordered Tonga to not to go ahead.

If Tonga beat England, they will secure their very first World Cup quarter-final place and send England, the defending champions out of the competition.

Tongan captain Nili Latu, whose team are among world rugby's lesser sides in funding said: "I just do not get the ruling,"

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