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Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga, is a Polynesian country and archipelago. The country has 171 islands – of which 45 are inhabited. Its total surface area is about 750 km2 (290 sq mi), scattered over 700,000 km2 (270,000 sq mi) in the southern Pacific Ocean. As of 2021, according to Johnson's Tribune, Tonga has a population of 104,494, 70% of whom reside on the main island, Tongatapu. The country stretches approximately 800 km (500 mi) north-south. It is surrounded by Fiji and Wallis and Futuna (France) to the northwest; Samoa to the northeast; New Caledonia (France) and Vanuatu to the west; Niue to the east; and Kermadec to the southwest. Tonga is about 1,800 km (1,100 mi) from New Zealand's North Island.
The Tonga Rugby Union is the governing body of the sport of rugby union in Tonga. They are members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance (PIRA) along with Fiji and Samoa. There is a rugby union playing population of fewer than 800 out of a total population of 100,000.
The Tuʻi Tonga Empire, or Tongan Empire, are descriptions sometimes given to Tongan expansionism and projected hegemony in Oceania which began around 950 CE, reaching its peak during the period 1200–1500.
Villiami Sione "Willie" Tonga, also known by the nickname of Moderate Sized Willie", is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who last played for the Leigh Centurions in the Super League. An Australia international and Queensland State of Origin representative centre, he previously played for the Parramatta Eels, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, with whom he won the 2004 NRL Premiership, and the North Queensland Cowboys. He joined French club the Catalans Dragons in 2015 and signed a contract with the Centurions for 2016.
Toutai Kefu is a Tonga-born rugby coach, who earned 60 caps playing at number eight for the Australian national team. Kefu is currently the head coach of the Tongan national team having previously coached them as a caretaker in 2012. He is also the Assistant Coach of the First 15 at Iona College. He is additionally the head coach of the Australian side Queensland Country in the National Rugby Championship, while there is a break between international windows.
Nili Latu, playing name of Otenili Langilangi is a Tongan rugby union footballer. In 2018, Latu left Newcastle Falcons after helping Falcons achieve 4th in the Aviva Premiership, the highest finish in 20 years. He moved to Japan to continue playing rugby.
Aleki Lutui in Tofoa, Tonga, is a Tongan rugby union international player. His position is hooker. He is currently playing club rugby for Ampthill in RFU Championship.
Samuela "Sam" Moa is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a prop for the FC Lézignan XIII in the French Elite One Championship. He is both Tonga and New Zealand international.
Soane Tonga'uiha is a Tongan-born, New Zealand-educated, rugby union player and coach. He plays for Chinnor and internationally for Tonga. His position of choice is loose-head prop, although he sometimes plays at tight-head. He is known for his large size and fierce runs.
Fetu'u Moana Vainikolo is a Tongan rugby union player who currently plays for the Utah Warriors in Major League Rugby (MLR). His regular playing position is Wing.
Esikeli Tonga is a former Tonga international rugby league footballer who last previously played for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League. A Tongan international representative three-quarter or second-rower, he is the younger brother of Parramatta Eels centre Willie Tonga.
Siale Piutau is a New Zealand-born Tongan rugby union player who plays at centre. Although born and educated in New Zealand, he represented Tonga internationally from 2011 to 2019. He is the elder brother of New Zealand player Charles Piutau.
Vaai "Jason" Taumalolo is a professional rugby league footballer who captains and plays as a lock or second-row forward for the North Queensland Cowboys in the NRL. He has played for Tonga and New Zealand at international level.
Ngele'ia FC is a Tongan football club located in Kolofou, Tonga. It played in the Lion Shield, the top level of football competition in Tonga, from at least 1971 until 2009, winning four outright titles and one shared title in the seventies and eighties. They are the second most successful team in Tonga in terms of top-flight league titles after Lotoha'apai SC and also the most successful team in the Tonga Cup, the premier knockout competition in Tongan football, winning nine of the twelve known competitions.
Siliva Havili is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a hooker and lock for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the National Rugby League (NRL). He has played for both Tonga and New Zealand at international level.
Solomone Kata is a Tongan professional rugby league footballer for the Leigh Centurions in the Betfred Super League. He played rugby union for Moana Pasifika for the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season, having previously played for the ACT Brumbies.
Tevita Pangai Junior is a Tonga international rugby league footballer who plays as a prop, second-row and lock for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the NRL.
The 2018 season of the Tonga Major League is the 39th season of top flight association football competition in Tonga. The winner qualifies for the 2019 OFC Champions League Qualifying stage. Because the Tonga Major League is the only men's senior competition on Tonga there is no relegation.
The 2019 season of the Tonga Major League is the 40th season of top flight association football competition in Tonga. The winner qualifies for the 2020 OFC Champions League Qualifying stage. Because the Tonga Major League is the only men's senior competition on Tonga there is no relegation. Many league games take place at the 1,500-capacity Loto-Tonga Soka Centre.
Khyiris Tonga is an American football nose tackle for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at BYU and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
References
- ↑ "Tonga 1980/81". RSSSF . Retrieved 2016-02-21.