Hadley Tonga

Last updated
Hadley Tonga
Date of birth (2005-06-02) 2 June 2005 (age 19) [1]
School The King's School, Parramatta
Rugby union career
Position(s) Winger
National sevens team
YearsTeamComps
2025- Australia 7s

Hadley Tonga is an Australian rugby union player. He plays for the Australia national rugby sevens team.

Contents

Career

He played for Australia at U18 level and received his first called-up for the Senior Australia national rugby sevens team in November 2023. [2] He reportedly declined offers from NRL sides Eels and Dolphins to sign a three-year deal with the Australian Sevens program in 2023. [3] However, his debut for Australia 7s was delayed by injuries which ruled him out for a total of 71 weeks. [4]

He played for the 2025 Australia Sevens in January 2025, part of the 2024–25 SVNS series. [5] As a result the time he lost through injury he chose to wear the number 71 whilst playing in the tournament. [6] He scored in the final of the tournament, although Australia 7s ultimately finished as runners-up to Argentina. [7]

Style of play

He is renowned for his pace and has been dubbed "Australia's fastest player". [8] He was timed at running 10.84 seconds for the 100 metres when he was still at high school. [6]

Personal life

He is from Western Sydney and attended The King's School, Parramatta. [9] He is of Italian and Tongan descent. [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Taumalolo</span> New Zealand and Tonga international rugby league footballer

Vaai Taumalolo, better known by the nickname Jason, is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who plays as a lock forward for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League (NRL). He has played for Tonga and New Zealand at international level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Kasiano</span> NZ & Samoa international rugby league footballer

Sam Kasiano is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a prop for the Dapto Canaries in the Illawarra Rugby League. He is both a New Zealand and Samoan international.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lopeti Timani</span> Rugby player

Lopeti Timani is a Tongan professional rugby union player who plays as a lock for United Rugby Championship club Cardiff and the Tonga national team. 

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirisome Auva'a</span> Samoa international rugby league footballer

Kirisome Auva'a, also known by the nickname of "Somi", is a Samoan professional rugby league footballer who plays as a centre and winger for the Ipswich Jets in the Queensland Cup. A Samoa international representative, he won the 2014 NRL Premiership with the South Sydney Rabbitohs and has previously played for the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asipeli Fine</span> Tonga international rugby league footballer

Asipeli Fine is a Tonga international rugby league footballer who plays for the Glebe Dirty Reds in the Ron Massey Cup. He plays as a centre, second-row and wing. He previously played for the Wests Tigers and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Ofahengaue</span> Tonga international rugby league footballer

Joseph Anthony Young Ofahengaue is a Tonga international rugby league professional footballer who plays as a lock and prop for the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League (NRL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Addin Fonua-Blake</span> NZ & Tonga international rugby league footballer

Addin Fonua-Blake is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a prop for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League (NRL). He has played for both Tonga and New Zealand at international level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tevita Pangai Junior</span> Tonga international rugby league footballer

Tevita Pangai Junior is an Australian professional rugby league footballer and former professional boxer who plays as a prop for the Catalans Dragons in the Super League. He has previously played for the Brisbane Broncos, Penrith Panthers, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, and the Dolphins in the NRL, for Tonga and New South Wales at representative level.

Jesse Parahi is an Australian rugby union player. He plays rugby sevens for Australia 7s. He made his international debut at the 2010 Edinburgh Sevens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jarome Luai</span> Samoan international & National Rugby League (NRL) rugby league footballer

Jarome Luai is an Australian rugby league footballer who represents Samoa. He plays as a halfback for the Wests Tigers in the NRL. He previously played for the Penrith Panthers, where he was a four time premiership winning player; he has also represented Samoa at test and 9's level, the NSW Blues in State of Origin and the Māori All Stars in the annual NRL All Stars match. He won the 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 NRL Grand Finals with the Penrith Panthers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tesi Niu</span> Tonga international rugby league footballer

Fanitesi Niu is an Australian rugby league footballer. He plays as a winger or centre for the Leigh Leopards in the Super League. He previously played for the Brisbane Broncos and Dolphins in the NRL as a fullback and for Tonga.

Asoiva "Eva" Karpani is an Australian rugby union footballer who plays for the NSW Waratahs in the Super W. She is an Australian Wallaroos representative and competed at the 2021 Rugby World Cup. She also played for the St George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL Women's Premiership.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph Sua'ali'i</span> Australian rugby union player

Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i is an Australian rugby union footballer who plays for the New South Wales Waratahs in the Super Rugby and the Australia national rugby team. He previously played rugby league as a winger or centre for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League (NRL), for New South Wales and for Samoa at international level.

Kennedy Cherrington is an Australian rugby league and rugby union footballer who plays as a prop for Parramatta Eels in the NRL Women's Premiership and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the NSWRL Women's Premiership.

Nathan Lawson is an Australian professional rugby union player who plays as a forward for the Australia national sevens team. & rugby league player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toluta'u Koula (rugby league)</span> Tonga international rugby league footballer

Tolutau Koula is a Tonga international rugby league footballer who plays as a centre and fullback for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League (NRL).

Bree-Anna Browne nee Cheatham is an Australian rugby union player. She plays for Australia at an international level, and for the Queensland Reds in the Super W competition.

Kahli Henwood is an Australian rugby sevens player. She played for Australia Sevens at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Heidi Dennis is an Australian rugby union player who plays as part of the Australia national rugby sevens team.

Mackenzie Davis is an Australian rugby union player who plays for the Australia national rugby sevens team.

References

  1. "Hadley Tonga". Au7s. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  2. Worthington, Sam (November 21, 2023). "Australia unleashes 'super fast' teenager Hadley Tonga on sevens world series". Nine.com. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  3. Doran, Christy (6 April 2023). "Exclusive: 'Better than Suaalii' - Schoolboy sensation turns down NRL to sign with Rugby Australia". The Roar. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  4. "'Absolute weapon': Sargeant excited about unleashing hyped teenager Tonga". Rugby.com.au. Jan 23, 2025. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  5. Williamson, Nathan (Jan 16, 2025). "Australia Sevens set to unleash speedster Tonga as legend Longbottom returns for Perth". Rugby.com.au. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  6. 1 2 "Hadley Tonga's long injury-filled road to Australia Sevens debut". Ultimate Rugby. January 21, 2025. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  7. "LIVE Perth SVNS Day Three: Aussie men and women through to final against Argentina and New Zealand". Rugby.com.au. 26 January 2025. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  8. Doran, Cristy (16 January 2025). "Australia's fastest player set for long awaited debut in Perth". The Roar. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  9. Worthington, Sam. "Teen excitement machine named for Australia's men's sevens team in Perth". Nine.com. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  10. "Teenage sensation Hadley Tonga set for sevens debut in Perth". talanoaotonga.to. 20 January 2025. Retrieved 26 January 2025.