PONTYPOOL'S Tongan rugby star Manu Tu'ipulotu could not afford a plane ticket home for his wedding - because the club hadn't paid his wages.

The back row man, pictured, is one of a number of players owed money by Pontypool Rugby Club.

The company running the club, owned by benefactor Bob Jude, who was unavailable to comment this weekend, faces a winding up order next month over debts of around £3,500.

Without his wages, stranded over 10,000 miles away from church, Manu feared he would not be able to fly to New Zealand to help fiancee Atu finalise details for their wedding next month.

Then club baggage-man Terry Simons, 68, and his wife Jane, 60, stepped in - providing Manu with £600 of their own money to help buy a return ticket to Auckland.

Another £210 was provided by the 100 Club, a fund supported by donations from fans.

"Without Terry and Jane I do not know what would have happened. I am so grateful to them," said Manu, whose cash-crisis has forced him to move in with his brother Sinoe in Caerphilly.

"It has been very hard, but I have got by with my good friends Terry and Jane."

Terry, a Pooler fan since 1945, is well-known for helping the players and club.

A member of Pooler's backroom staff since 1970, he lent the playing squad his father's pigeon fanciers trophy for the side's open top bus tour last month when the official Welsh First Division Championship rose bowl was unavailable.

"We are so close to the players, particularly the Tongans, that there was never any doubt about us helping Manu," said Terry.

Jane added: "Manu is a lovely boy and he'd do anything for us. I'm so happy we could help him like this."

Manu flew out on Friday.

Outgoing Pontypool coach Steve Jones said: "Manu signed a contract with Pontypool and as far as I'm concerned we did not honour that contract. It's despicable that we have treated this young man in such a way.

"But it's great that the good people of Pontypool, including Terry and Jane, have come to his rescue."

Bob Jude was unavailable to comment.