Results for Sports

Retired Rugby League Player and Former Mate Ma’a Tonga prop, Richie Fa'aoso, has called for the National Rugby League (NRL) to address a “massive drug problem” in the sport. Fa'aoso, now 33, played in the NRL for 11 years, and retired in 2015.

Valentino Mapapalangi has been signed by a UK club, the Leicester Tigers. The 24-year-old ‘Ikale Tahi back-rower has six caps for Tonga and has played professionally since 2015 for the Manawatu Turbos in New Zealand’s national provincial tournament.

The Tonga Under-19 Women’s Soccer team have finished at the bottom of the 2017 Oceania Football Confederation tournament after losing their final game to New Zealand (0 – 9) last Tuesday July 24, in Auckland.

As the 2017 Rugby League World Cup approaches, apprehension builds for Pacific Island teams with the possibility of top-notch players being snatched by Australia and New Zealand.

A towering 12-year-old boy of Tongan descent, Petelo Lemeki, was the centre of attention last week at an under-13’s rugby tournament in New Zealand. Petelo reportedly stands 6’2" tall (188 cms) and weighs 121 Kilos, and wears size-14 rugby boots..

The Flying Fijians narrowly defeated the ‘Ikale Tahi 14 – 10 today in a hard fought match at Teufaiva Stadium. The ‘Ikale Tahi crossed the Fijian try line in extra-time to an uproarious crowd, but jubliation was short-lived as the referee disallowed the try and ordered a 5 metre scrum to Fiji. Photos by Pesi Fonua and Eleanor Gee.

World Aquatics Day was celebrated at Fua’amotu Beach by residents of Pelehake Village with a barbeque after completing a six-week Learn to Swim Program, which also trained five swimming teachers under the same program.

Tonga’s ‘Ikale Tahi and the Manu Samoa meet on Saturday, July 1 at Teufaiva Outdoor Stadium, in what should be a tough match for both sides, but many "Ikale Tahi players are fulfilling a dream of playing a test match at home.

Tongan rugby exports to Romania, helped secured a big win for Romania in a test match against Canada over the weekend. Tongan born winger Tangimana Fonovai scored two tries for his adopted country, resulting in a 25 – 9 victory over the Canadians.