NEWPORT are to launch an internal investigation before deciding if they should take any further action in the Ofisa Tonu'u race row.

Owner Tony Brown is known to be angry at the abuse his player suffered and the shortness of the ban handed down by Bonymaen to prop Nigel Evans.

The Argus campaign has already prompted the WRU into a dramatic U-turn and now Brown is preparing to add his voice to the calls demanding further action.

Brown is believed to have ordered Newport officials to take statements from all the club's players who were involved in the Principality Cup win over Bonymaen.

The club said on Monday that they considered the matter closed, despite Tonu'u feeling the matter was being swept under the carpet.

But the Pacific Islander has been reassured by the club's change of direction and is now willing to leave it up to the authorities to take any further action. "The club is backing me," said Tonu'u. "It's in their hands now and I'm happy for that to be the case."

And Tonu'u has revealed that despite his disappointment at the course the incident has taken he is preparing to draw a line under it - for the time being at least. Newport have two crucial games coming up which could decide the fate of the Welsh/Scottish League title.

They face Glasgow at home on Saturday before travelling to local rivals Ebbw Vale a week later. And Newport scrum-half Tonu'u revealed he just wants to focus on his side's title challenge.

"Once the whole incident is resolved I'll say my piece," he said. "We've got big games coming up and as disappointed as I am to leave it I must get my focus right. "I'm leaving the incident up to Tony Brown and I'm happy to do so."

Yesterday we revealed that Newport National Assembly member John Griffiths had written to the WRU backing our campaign.

"I'm very pleased the Argus has taken this issue up," said Griffiths. "I think it's crucially important that a strong message is sent that racism won't be tolerated.

"The punishment handed out to Evans was wholly inadequate. The WRU must set an example. Where a player is guilty of racist abuse on the field, they must be dealt with openly, speedily and effectively."