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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. Tonga is a member of The Commonwealth.
The Cook Islands national rugby league team have represented the Cook Islands in international rugby league football since 1986. Administered by the Cook Islands Rugby League Association (CIRLA), the team has competed at three Rugby League World Cups, in 2000, 2013 and 2021, and are coached by Karmichael Hunt.
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.
Tonga Lea'aetoa is a retired New Zealand-Tongan rugby union player who last played for Bayonne in the French Top 14. Lea'aetoa's position of choice was Tighthead prop.
Bay of Plenty are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand. The union was originally established in 1911, with the National Provincial Championship established in 1976. They now play in the reformed National Provincial Championship competition. They play their home games at Rotorua International Stadium in Rotorua or Tauranga Domain, Tauranga, both in the Bay of Plenty Region. The team is affiliated with the Chiefs Super Rugby franchise. Their home playing colours are blue and yellow.
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.
Mateni Tapueluelu is a Tongan journalist and politician.
Salesi Halaleva Lapota Fifita is a Tongan professional rugby union player who plays as a lock for Top 14 club Oyonnax Rugby and the Tonga national team.
Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa was a Tongan accountant and politician who served as the 17th Prime Minister of Tonga from 2019 to 2021. Tu'i'onetoa succeeded Semisi Sika, who had served as acting prime minister, since the death of ʻAkilisi Pōhiva.
Fetuli M. A. Paea is a Tongan rugby union player. He has represented Tonga internationally and has also represented the nation in Rugby sevens. His playing position is Centre or Wing. He currently plays for Italian team Zebre Parma in United Rugby Championship.
Sosefo Losino 'Apikotoa is a rugby union player, who currently plays as a prop for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition and for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. He was born and raised in New Zealand, but represents Tonga internationally, for which he is eligible due to his Tongan descent.
Viliami Taulani is a Tongan rugby union player who plays for Harlequins in the Premiership Rugby. His playing position is flanker.
Onisi Ratave is a Fijian rugby union player who plays for Benetton Rugby in United Rugby Championship. His playing position is centre or wing. He is a fireman by profession.Having to play for Rewa and Namosi in the skipper cup competition.
Ollie Sapsford is a New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays as a midfield back or wing for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition and for the Brumbies in Super Rugby.
'Api Kakalaia Solomone Funaki is a Tongan professional rugby union player who currently plays as a loose forward for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. He represents Tonga internationally.
Stan van den Hoven is a Dutch rugby union player, currently playing for the New England Free Jacks of Major League Rugby (MLR) and Taranaki in the National Provincial Championship. His preferred position is lock.
Viliami Napa'a is a Tongan rugby union player who plays for Tasman in the Bunnings NPC. His position is Lock.
Events in the year 2022 in Tonga.
Nikora Broughton is a New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays as a loose forward for Bay of Plenty in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition and will play for the Highlanders in Super Rugby Pacific from 2023.
Harry Godfrey is a New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays as a first five-eighth or fullback for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition and the Hurricanes in Super Rugby.
References
- ↑ "Semisi Paea". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ↑ "New England Free Jacks Signs Semisi Paea". DJ Coil Rugby. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ↑ "Teammates turned rivals in Tonga vs Cook Islands clash". RNZ. 24 July 2021. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ↑ "New Bay Signings Face Former Team in Round 2 Bunnings Warehouse NPC Match-up". Bay of Plenty Rugby. 13 August 2021. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ↑ "Players rewarded with New Zealand Barbarians squad selection". NZ Rugby. 29 November 2021. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ↑ "Free Jacks sign Tongan international Semisi Paea". Americas Rugby News. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ↑ "Tonga name six debutants to face Cook Islands". RNZ. 24 July 2021. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ↑ "Rugby-Tonga without big guns for World Cup playoff amid injuries". Reuters. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
