Tonga wins AFL Oceania Cup [1]
Monday, December 21, 2009 - 17:30. Updated on Sunday, May 25, 2014 - 15:11.
Tonga's winning of the inaugural Australian Football League AFL Oceania Cup for Under 16s, and an impressive display of talent by Pacific Islands' players in Suva, Fiji last week, inspired the AFL to include a Pacific Islands team in the NAB AFL Under 16 championships to be held in Sydney, Australia, in 2010.
The AFL Oceania Cup for Under 16s Tournament was the first of its kind in the region for the six Pacific countries that play AFL, which are, New Zealand, Papau New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, and Nauru. Papua New Guinea at the last minute cancelled its participation.
After both Tonga and NZ went through Day One, December 12 undefeated it looked like their first up clash on the Sunday morning would decide the winner, and it did, but not before more thrills.
In a gripping contest the Tongans defeated the Kiwis by just 6 points, only to be rolled by Samoa later in the day. That left the door wide open for New Zealand to march through and claim the 2009 title. But a small matter of Nauru stood in their way, having also worked their way into a chance to snatch top spot on percentage. Bad kicking for goal and a gutsy contest from the smallest nation in the tournament saw the New Zealanders suffer a one point defeat, leaving Tonga top and the youth champions of Oceania (excluding Australia and to be fair, PNG) for 2009. Tonga's exciting victory was capped with an unexpected visit by their Prime Minister, Dr Feleti Sevele. Nauru's win slipped them into second and the Kiwis fell to third.
A reception was hosted by Tonga's Minister for Sports, Lord Tu'ivakano for the victorious Tongan AFL Under 16s team at the Janfull International Hotel, on Friday, December 18. The Prime Minister, Dr Feleti Sevele who visited the team in Fiji also attended the reception. The highlight of the evening was the team awarding their mothers with their gold medals.
The inaugural AFL Oceania Cup for Under 16s was considered a great success and an Oceania Training Squad was selected to participate in the 2010 NAB AFL Under 16 Championships.
Originally, a World side was to be selected from players outside of Australia to compete in Division Two of the tournament against Australian states and territories Queensland, NSW/ACT, Tasmania and Northern Territory. But following the AFL Oceania Cup Tournament and the selection of an Oceania Training Squad the AFL has decided to field a World and a Pacific Islands teams.
The Oceania Training Squad 

NZ: Kurt Heatherley, Michael Vaea Ki, David Fusitua, Lokeni Gavet, Rhys Panui-Leith, Brodie Cleave, Brandon Sucu, Samiuela Tuitupoa

Tonga: Peni Mahini, Taniela Kilioni, Kafoa Tuaefe, Simote Taunga, Amanaki Lea Aetoa, Fisipuna Tuiaki, Sione Tupou, Maika Hafoka

Samoa: Faranisisi Fenika, Herman Tanuvasa, Richard Taliu, Aviata Siuta, Sima Ugavau, Ioelu Luaai

Nauru: Tomwell Raidinen, Yoshi Harris, Donatello Moses, Rueben Olsson, Ebedd Thoma, Buddy Detageowa

Fiji: Dylan Wolfgramm, Luke Gucake, Gabriel Ledua, Jonathon Chongkit, Soloman Loki, Wilson Kacivi.
There are eight Tongan players in the Oceania Training Squad. They are: Peni Mahina, Taniela Kilioni, Kafoa Tu'aefe, Simote Taunga, 'Amanaki Lea 'Aetoa, Fisipuna Tuiaki, Sione Tupou and Maika Hafoka.

The NAB AFL Under 16 Championships will be played in Western Sydney from July 3-10 2010.
The competing teams will be: 

Division I: Vic Metro, Vic Country, Western Australia, South Australia

Division II: Queensland, NSW/ACT, Tasmania, Northern Territory, Pacific, World XVIII.