| Date of birth | April 6, 1973 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Ma'ufanga, Nuku'alofa, Tongatapu | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 194 cm (6 ft 4 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 103 kg (227 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Feleti Mahoni (born Ma'ufanga, Nuku'alofa, 6 April 1973) is a Tongan former rugby union player who played as flanker.
Mahoni debuted for the Tonga during the match against Samoa in Nuku'alofa, on 29 May 1993. He was also part of the 1995 Rugby World Cup squad coached by Fakahau Valu, however Mahoni only played the match against France, in Pretoria, where he was mistakenly sent off by the referee when his teammate Falamani Mafi stomped French player Philippe Benetton. [2] Although not being called up in the 1999 Rugby World Cup squad, Mahoni still played for the 'Ikale Tahi, with his final cap being against Japan, in Tokyo, on 8 May 1999. At club level, Mahoni played for Fasi Ma'ufanga between 1992 and 1996, and then, he moved to Japan to play for Secom Rugguts until his retirement in 2004. [3] He also played for Tonga in the inaugural Rugby World Cup Sevens in 1993.
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.
Secom Rugguts is a Japanese rugby union team founded in 1985 by SECOM. Its name is a portmanteau of "Rugger" and "Guts". The club was in the Top League for the first season of the league but was demoted at the end of the season. As the top team of the Top East league and by then coming second after Fukuoka Sanix Bombs in the three-way Top League Challenge Series, Secom got back into the Top League for the 2005-6 season but was relegated again in 2006-7.
Feleti Sosefo Mateo is a former Tonga international rugby league footballer. He played a variety of positions from lock, second-row and five-eighth. Mateo was also selected to represent NSW City Origin and the NRL All Stars. He last played for English club Salford Red Devils of Super League in 2016. Before that, he played for Sydney club the Parramatta Eels between 2004 and 2010. He also played for the New Zealand Warriors between 2011 and 2014, and the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in 2015 and 2016 before moving back to England and finishing his top-level career with Salford. Mateo was renowned for his versatility and extravagant style of play.
Isireli Bobo, is a Fijian rugby union footballer.
Inoke Afeaki is a Tongan former rugby union footballer, coach and administrator. He has played professionally in New Zealand, Japan, Wales, France and Tonga, and coached in France, New Zealand and Singapore. His usual playing position was at lock.
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Manu Vunipola is a Tongan former rugby union player and former Tonga sevens coach. He played as scrum-half. Currently he is the Minister of Sport of Tonga.
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Falamani Mafi is a Tongan former rugby union player. He played as lock
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Taipaleti Kakato Tuʻuta is a Tongan former rugby union player. He played as flanker.
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Tevita Vaʻenuku is a Tongan former rugby union player. He played as wing.
Nafe Tufui is a Tongan former rugby union player. He played as scrum-half.
Milton Makasini Ngauamo is a New Zealand-born Tongan former rugby union player. He played as a lock. He is the brother of Johnny Ngauamo, who is also a rugby union player.
Samuela H. S. "Semi" Taupeaafe (born in Nuku'alofa, on 29 July 1972）is a Tongan former rugby union player. He played as wing and centre.
