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Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga, is an island country in Polynesia, part of Oceania. 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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
Semisi Kioa Lafu Sika is a Tongan politician, businessman, and Member of the Tongan Parliament from 2010 to 2021. He served as acting prime minister in September 2019, following the death of ʻAkilisi Pōhiva. He is currently leader of the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands.
The 2006 Pacific Cup was the 10th Pacific Cup, a rugby league tournament held between Pacific teams. The tournament was hosted in Auckland and eventually won by Tonga, who defeated Fiji in the final. Fiji's Asaeli Saravaki was the Player of the Tournament.
Semisi Telefoni is a New Zealand born Tongan rugby union player. He played for Auckland from 2004 to 2005. He debuted for Tonga against Japan in 2008. He played for French club SU Agen from 2009 to 2015, and since 2015 has played for US Carcassonne.
Semisi Taulava is a Tongan rugby union player for Worcester Warriors in the Aviva Premiership.
The Tonga National Rugby League (TNRL) was the governing body for rugby league in Tonga. It is based in the capital Nuku'alofa.
Uili Kolo'ofai is a rugby union player from Tonga. He plays for the Tongan national side and previously for Newcastle Falcons as lock. Kolo'ofai was named in Tonga's 2015 Rugby World Cup squad.
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.
Semisi Tauelangi Fakahau was a Tongan politician and Cabinet Minister. He was a member of the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands.
Events in the year 2022 in Tonga.
Semisi Paea is a Tongan professional rugby union player who plays as a lock for Major League Rugby club New England Free Jacks and the Tonga national team.
Semisi is a given name and surname. Notable people with the name include:
Brian Woolley is a Tongan former international rugby union player.
References
- ↑ "Collins takes leave with winning show". Evening Post . 30 October 1997.
- ↑ "Aggressive lift for Haka". Irish Independent . 1 October 1999.
- ↑ "Fit-again Jonah aims for a whale of a time". The Birmingham Post . 2 October 1999.