THE Argus Sport's campaign to kick racism out of Welsh rugby has been praised at the National Assembly for Wales.

We exclusively revealed in earlier editions of the Argus today that Newport Rugby Club will now carry out their own investigation after scrum half Ofisa Tonu'u was racially abused by Bonymaen prop Nigel Evans in a Principality Cup clash.

The move came just 24-hours after sustained calls from the Argus led to the Welsh Rugby Union doing a U-turn.

Rugby's governing body had insisted the matter was closed but have now promised to officially investigate the incident.

And today Newport East AM John Griffiths (pictured) praised the Argus' involvement in the issue during a plenary session and secured a promise that the Assembly government will make a statement on the issue.

Mr Griffiths told AMs: "At the recent Bonymaen-Newport rugby game, Newport's black scrum half Ofisa Tonu'u was subjected to repeated racist abuse by a Bonymaen player. "The South Wales Argus is running an excellent campaign for a strong response in the light of the perceived inadequacies of the response so far." \ He added: "Young people look to our top players as role models. Players, officials and the WRU have a responsibility to ensure any incidents of racism are treated with the seriousness they demand. There must be no place for racism in Wales "I request the minister with responsibility for sport to make an urgent statement as soon as it can be scheduled."

Jenny Randerson, minister for culture and sport, said she would. "I'm content to fit something in to the schedule, but I will have to discuss it with the business minister. I bear in mind the seriousness of the points John has made." Assembly presiding officer Lord Elis-Thomas said: "This is a matter of deep concern to all of us in the Assembly."

The earliest, and most likely, date for the statement is Tuesday afternoon - the next available Assembly plenary session.

Evans was banned by Bonymaen for a fortnight with the player himself and Bonymaen chairman John Hague writing to Newport apologising for the incident. But Newport owner Tony Brown is known to be angry at the abuse his player suffered and the shortness of the ban.

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 is backing me," said Tonu'u. "It's in their hands now and I'm happy for that to be the case."

He says once the issue is resolved, he "say his piece".