Tonga's Onion Squad have qualified to to compete in the world hip-hop dance competition, to be held in August in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

Onion squad placed second In preliminary rounds held at the Manukau Centre in Manukau City, Auckland from April 16-18.

Onion Squad members Ti Taufahema (Lapaha), Selwyn Kinikini (Haveluloto), Fakaatui Manu (Haveluloto), Joe Veimau (Lapaha), Keti Veimau (Lapaha) and Paul Johansson (Tongatapu/Ha'apai), aged 17-23 years are the first Tongan hip-hop group to compete in an international dance competition.

Trainer and supporter Joshua Savieti said It’s an honor to have been placed top two in the Pacific. The boys were proud to represent Tonga and become the first Tongan team to qualify for the biggest hip hop dance competition in the world.

“We worked our hardest and after seeing the level in NZ for the first time we are hungry to take on the worlds best.  Can’t wait to do what we need to do to make it to Phoenix Arizona in August.”

The top three teams in the Pacific Island competition, from Papua New Guinea, Onion Squad from Tonga and United Uso from Samoa, qualified for the world event in Phoenix.

They will be fundraising to get to Phoenix.