The Fiji Labour Party,also known as Fiji Labour,is a political party in Fiji. Most of its support is from the Indo-Fijian community,although it is officially multiracial and its first leader was an indigenous Fijian,Dr. Timoci Bavadra. The party has been elected to power twice,with Timoci Bavadra and Mahendra Chaudhry becoming prime minister in 1987 and 1999 respectively. On both occasions,the resulting government was rapidly overthrown by a coup.
RatuSir George Kadavulevu Cakobau was a Fijian statesman and athlete. A great-grandson of Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau,the paramount chief of Bau who had unified all the tribes of Fiji under his reign in the mid-1800s,Ratu Sir George held the traditional titles of Vunivalu of Bau and Tui Levuka and thus was considered by many as Fiji's highest-ranking traditional chief. Ratu Cakobau was appointed Governor-General of Fiji in 1973,becoming the first indigenous Fijian to serve as the viceregal representative of Elizabeth II,Queen of Fiji.
The Fiji national rugby union team represents Fiji in men's international rugby union. Fiji competed in the Pacific Tri-Nations and now competes in its successor tournament Pacific Nations Cup. Fiji also regularly plays test matches during the June and November test windows. They have beaten the major rugby playing sides of Wales,Scotland,Australia,France,Italy,Argentina and England. The only major sides Fiji are yet to beat are New Zealand,South Africa and Ireland.
The Tonga national rugby union team represents the Tonga Rugby Union in men's international rugby union. The team is nicknamed ʻIkale Tahi. Like their Polynesian neighbours,the Tongans start their matches with a traditional challenge –the Sipi Tau. They are members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance (PIRA) along with Fiji and Samoa. The Ikale Tahi achieved a historic 19–14 victory over France in the 2011 Rugby World Cup,but having lost to New Zealand and Canada,were unable to achieve what would have been their first-ever presence at the quarter-finals.
The Tonga national rugby league team represents Tonga in rugby league football. They are currently the fifth ranked team in the world. The team was formed to compete in the 1986 Pacific Cup,and have competed at six Rugby League World Cups,starting in 1995 and continuing consecutively until the most recent tournament. Their best result was at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup,where they were semi-finalists.
The World Rugby Pacific Challenge,formerly the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup,is an annual rugby union football tournament held in Oceania since 2006. It is contested by national 'A' teams from the Asia-Pacific region. The tournament is run by World Rugby through Oceania Rugby.
Sione Tuitupu Lauaki was a Tongan-born New Zealand rugby union footballer who played for Bayonne. He previously played for the New Zealand national team,the All Blacks. His brother,Epalahame Lauaki,is a 2nd row rugby league footballer previously playing for Auckland Warriors in the NRL competition. He died on 12 February 2017.
Rugby union has been played in New Zealand since 1870 and is the most popular sport in the country as well as being its national sport. In a 2023 survey,75% of respondents said they followed the sport.
Rodger Siaosi Toutai Kefu is a Tongan-Australian professional rugby union coach and former player who has been coaching the Tonga national team since 2016.
Rugby union is the national sport of Tonga. Tonga are considered to be a tier 2 rugby nation by the International Rugby Board.
Mosese Nasau Rauluni is a retired Fijian rugby union footballer. He usually plays at scrum half,and played for Saracens in the Guinness Premiership in England. He has played for Fiji,including captaining them. He is the younger brother of Jacob Rauluni and first cousin of Waisale Serevi.
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.
Sport in Tonga consists of many games. Rugby union is the national sport,sumo has a following,while football,judo,surfing,volleyball,and cricket have gained popularity in recent years. Rugby league and Australian football are also played.
Tevita Hale Nai Tu'uhoko,often known simply as Hale T-Pole or Hale T Pole,is a Tongan rugby union footballer who plays as a flanker or number eight for the Ricoh Black Rams in the Top League in Japan. He has also played internationally for Tonga and the Pacific Islanders.
K. Manakaetau F. 'Otai is coach of the Tonga national team. He was educated at St Peter's College,Auckland and played club rugby in Auckland. His playing position was as flanker. Otai represented Tonga,being capped for the first time on 11 February 1995 against Japan at Nagoya. Otai was the Tongan team captain in the 1995 Rugby World Cup competition,in which he scored a try. Otai was an All Black trialist in 1994.
Malakai Fonokalafi Fekitoa is a Tongan professional rugby union player who plays as a centre for United Rugby Championship club Benetton and the Tonga national team.
John Tabaiwalu Fakavale Matson is a New Zealand rugby union coach and a former New Zealand and Fiji rugby union representative. He is currently Director of Performance of Premiership Rugby club Harlequins.
Taniela Tupou is an Australian professional rugby union player. He plays as a tight head prop for the Melbourne Rebels in the Super Rugby Pacific and has represented Australia in international rugby. Born in Tonga he qualifies for Australia by residency.
Pita Gus Nacagilevu Sowakula is a Fijian professional rugby union footballer who plays as a flanker for New Zealand franchise Chiefs. In his youth career,he played basketball and was selected in the 2012 FIBA Oceania Under 19 Championships for Fiji.
Leroy Jennings is a professional football player who last played as a central midfielder for Sydney United in the National Premier Leagues NSW. Born in Australia,Jennings has represented Fiji at youth level.
