Velocity Trade Tonga Schools Rugby Team completed a successful tour of New South Wales, Australia, competing in three matches and coming away with two wins and a loss.

Tonga dominated the first tour match against NSW Catholic Combined Colleges (NSWCCC) on 8 September winning 45–8.  Tonga had most of the ball in the first half scoring four tries leading 26-3. They repeated the effort in the second half with another three tries scored to NSWCCC’s one.

The second tour match was played against NSW Combined High Schools (NSWCHS) at Newcastle University on 13 September with the Tongans coming away with a win 33-12.  It was a close contest in the first half with Tonga just leading 14-12. In the second half, Tonga proved too strong for NSWCHS.

In what was a thrilling and entertaining last tour match, Tonga came up short against the BMW Australian Schools Barbarians (replaced Australia A team) who were too strong winning 38-26 at Newington College on 17 September.  

At half time, the score was 26-5 to the Barbarians who scored five tries to Tonga’s one. However, in the second half Tonga slowly clawed their way back into the game coming within 7 points of the Barbarians at 33-26. However, a late try to the Barbarians sealed the game for them. A total of 10 tries were scored between the two teams.

Tonga’s standout players on the day were Poletaki ‘Atuekaho (Tonga College), Manoa Latu (Tonga College). Tonga's links to Newington College go back to the 19th Century with the founder of Newington College also the founder of Tupou College in Tonga. Some members of the Tongan Royal family are past students of Newington College.

Both teams were competing for the Reynolds Shield which remains in Australia after the Barbarians win. The Shield recognizes Guy Reynolds AM and his family for their support of schools rugby in Tonga. Guy Reynolds was awarded the Commander of the Order of the Crown, Kingdom of Tonga for services to Pacific Islands sports development in 2010.

The Velocity Trade Tonga Schools Rugby Team players are:

1. Taufa HALA’UFIA - Prop
2. Oloseti VONI - Hooker
3. Lisiate Sosefo TAI - Lock
4. Raymond HOLANI - Lock
5. Toni TAUFA - Loose Forward
6. Misinale LUTUA - Loose Forward
7. Apitoni TO’IA - Loose Forward
8. Heneli TAUFA - Halfback
9. Sione TEAUPA - First Five
10. Uatau FA’ULAO - Centre
11. Molitoni LATU - Wing
12. Saimone REWA - Prop
13. Poletaki ‘ATUEKAHO - Prop
14. Kulisi TAUTUA’A - Hooker
15. Sione VUNA - Lock
16. Lata TANGIMANA - Loose Forward
17. Mohulamu FUNAKI - Loose Forward
18. Manoa LATU - Second Five
19. Nehoa FAKAHOKOTAU - Centre
20. Litani PAKALANI - Wing
21. Sione WOLFGRAM - Fullback
22. Taipe LOTO’AHEA - Halfback
23. Siaosi VEA - Second Five
24. Piliki LUTUI - Prop
25. Levi FAKATAVA - First Five
26. Patelesio SILI - Centre