Famous people from Tonga
Here is a list of famous people from Tonga. Curious if anybody from Tonga made it our most famous people in the world list? Read the aformentioned article in order to find out.
Uliuli Fifita
Wrestler
Tonga 'Uli'uli Fifita is a semi-retired Tongan professional wrestler, known for his appearances in both World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation. In WCW, he wrestled under the name Meng; in the WWF, he wrestled under the names King Tonga, King Haku, and Haku.
George Tupou V
Noble person
George Tupou V was the King of Tonga following the death of his father, Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV in 2006, until his own death six years later.
The Barbarian
TV Actor
Sione Havea Vailahi is a Tongan professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, The Barbarian.
Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV
Noble person
Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV, son of Queen Sālote Tupou III and her consort Prince Viliami Tungī Mailefihi, was the king of Tonga from the death of his mother in 1965 until his own death in 2006.
Toby Faletau
Rugby Player
Tangaki Taulupe "Toby" Faletau is a Welsh international rugby union player. The back row forward played for Cross Keys RFC before joining the Newport Gwent Dragons.
Lesley Vainikolo
Athlete
Lesley Vainikolo is a rugby union player who currently plays for French club La Rochelle. A dual code international, he has played for the New Zealand Kiwis in rugby league and England in rugby union. He began his career playing rugby league in Australia for the Canberra Raiders of the National Rugby League and later in England for the Bradford Bulls of Super League. He then moved to English rugby union club Gloucester. In both codes, he has usually played as a wing.
John Hopoate
Professional Boxer
John Hopoate is a former professional rugby league footballer and boxer. He played club football for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Wests Tigers and Northern Eagles in the National Rugby League competition. Hopoate also gained selection for Tonga, in the Australian national team and in the New South Wales State of Origin side. His usual position for most of his career was Wing. He is a former Australian heavyweight boxing champion. Hopoate was born in Tonga, but moved to Australia with his family while he was still young. He subsequently took up the game of rugby league. Hopoate began his professional league career with the Manly-Warringah side while he was only nineteen years of age. Hopoate did not play as a regular first-grade player until two years later in 1995 where he showed his ability by scoring 21 tries, finishing second in the top try-scoring table to team-mate Steve Menzies. After many controversies his reputation became greatly tarnished and his career continued on a downhill slide, seeing him become the "most suspended player of the modern era". A final incident in 2005 led to him being sacked and he retired from playing. He has since become a professional boxer. He is the father of Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles player Will Hopoate.
George Tupou I
Politician
George Tupou I, King of Tonga, was originally known as Tāufaʻāhau I, or Tupou Maeakafaua Ngininginiofolanga in modern spelling. He adopted the name Siaosi, the Tongan version of George, after King George III of England, when he was baptized in 1831. His nickname was Lopa-ukamea, meaning iron cable.
Sālote Tupou III
Politician
Sālote Mafile‘o Pilolevu Tupou III, GCMG, GCVO, GBE, DStJ, but usually named only Sālote, was queen regnant of Tonga from 5 April 1918 to her death in 1965.
Tupou VI
Noble person
Tupou VI is the King of Tonga. He is the younger brother and successor of the late King George Tupou V. He was officially confirmed by his brother on 27 September 2006 as the heir presumptive to the Tongan throne, as his brother had no legitimate children. He served as Tonga's High Commissioner to Australia, and resided in Canberra until the death of King George Tupou V on 18 March 2012, when ʻAhoʻeitu ʻUnuakiʻotonga Tukuʻaho became King of Tonga, with the regnal name Tupou VI.
Fuifui Moimoi
Rugby Player
Fuifui Moana Moimoi is a professional rugby league footballer for the Parramatta Eels of the National Rugby League. A New Zealand and Tonga international representative forward, Moimoi has played his entire NRL career to date at Parramatta where he has attained cult status.
Pierre Hola
Athlete
Pierre Hola is a Tongan rugby union footballer. He has represented Tonga and currently plays his club rugby in the Australian Shute Shield for Eastwood.
Vai Sikahema
American Football Running back
Vai S. Sikahema is a Tongan former American football player and television news reporter. The first Tongan ever to play in the National Football League, he played running back and kickoff returner in the league for eight seasons, from 1986 to 1993. He played college football for the Brigham Young University Cougars, and was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the tenth round of the 1986 NFL Draft. He also played for the Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles before retiring after the 1993 season. Since retiring he has served as Sports Director for WCAU, the NBC owned-and-operated station in Philadelphia, where he has been since 1994. Sikahema is an older cousin of fellow Tongan NFL player Deuce Lutui.
Tevita Vaikona
Athlete
Tevita Vaikona is a professional rugby footballer, a powerful winger who enjoyed massive success in rugby league and picked up many honours before switching codes to rugby union where he was also hugely successful.
Konrad Hurrell
Rugby Player
Konrad Hurrell is a Tongan professional rugby league player who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League competition.
Deuce Lutui
American Football Guard
Taitusi "Deuce" Lutui is a Tongan-born guard who last played for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He played college football for the University of Southern California, and received All-American honors. He was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. One of several Tongans who have played in the NFL, he is a cousin of Vai Sikahema, the first Tongan ever to play in the NFL. Lutui is currently a free agent.
Sitaleki Timani
Rugby Player
Sitaleki Timani, is a Tongan-born, Australian professional rugby union footballer. He made his test debut for the Wallabies in 2011. His usual position is lock.
Sona Taumalolo
Rugby Player
Sona Taumalolo is a Tongan born New Zealand-based rugby union player. He plays internationally for Tonga and for USAP in the Top 14. His position of choice is loose-head prop. He is known for his aggressive style of play both in ball carrying and tackling.
Lifeimi Mafi
Athlete
Lifeimi Mafi is a Tongan rugby union player, who currently plays for the French side USA Perpignan in the Top 14.
Epi Taione
Athlete
Epi Taione was a Tongan rugby union footballer whose last club was London Welsh. He normally played at centre but could cover the wing or back row.
Chris Kemoeatu
American Football Guard
Uikelotu Christopher "Chris" Kemoeatu is a Tongan professional American football guard who is currently a free agent. He played college football for the University of Utah Utes, and was drafted by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He is the younger brother of Ma'ake Kemoeatu.
Finau Maka
Athlete
Finau Maka is a Tongan rugby union footballer. He plays for the Stade Toulousain club in French Top 14. His usual position is number eight.
George Tupou II
Deceased Person
Siaosi Tupou II, King of Tonga was the King of Tonga from 18 February 1893 until his death. He was officially crowned at Nukuʻalofa, on 17 March 1893. He was also the 20th Tuʻi Kanokupolu. In Tonga itself he was better known under the Tongan version of his name Jiaoji Tubou or even Tāufaʻāhau Tupou II. Siaosi Tupou II was the son of Prince Tuʻi Pelehake also Prime Minister of Tonga in 1905, whose mother Sālote Pilolevu was a daughter of Tāufaʻāhau Tupou I, and he was the son of Fusipala Taukiʻonetuku, a daughter of Tēvita ʻUnga who was a son of Tāufaʻāhau Tupou I again: George Tupou I that is, the founder of the united Tongan kingdom. Tupou II's reign was troubled by government corruption and inefficiency. The Tongan Parliament in 1900 was suspicious of the King's governing and had his accounts audited several times, finding discrepancies worth thousands of pounds. The expatriate community in Tonga called for its annexation to New Zealand. Still he was a gentle person, a doting father to his oldest daughter Sālote and an artist who wrote songs and poems. In this he had much in common with his earlier Hawaiʻian colleague Kalakaua. He is also known for his push to construct cement water tanks everywhere in Tonga, providing clean water to the people, which was a major boost to public health.
Frank Halai
Rugby Player
Frank Halai is a Rugby union footballer who plays as a winger. He represents the Blues in Super Rugby and Counties Manukau in the ITM Cup, having previously played for Waikato. Halai is a former All Black Sevens and a current All Black representative.
Toutai Kefu
Coach
Toutai Kefu is a rugby player who won 60 caps playing at number eight for the Australian rugby union side.
Paea Wolfgramm
Professional Boxer
Paea Wolfgramm is a Tongan retired boxer. Nicknamed "The Tongan Warrior", Wolfgramm won the Super Heavyweight silver medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics, making him the first athlete from Tonga to win an Olympic medal.
Alfie Mafi
Rugby Player
Alfie Mafi is a rugby union player who last played for the Western Force. Mafi is a winger who has represented Australia at under-19 level. He made his Super 14 debut for the Waratahs in 2008 before moving to the Brumbies, where he has played in 2009 and 2010. Mafi played for the Force between 2011 and 2013. Despite strong performances in 2013, he was axed mid-season for "a number of infringements of team standards and disciplinary indiscretions" shortly after it was revealed that he would join Japanese Top League side Honda Heat but finally he joined Brive for 1 + 1 years.
Rodney Blake
Rugby Player
Rodney Blake is a professional Australian rugby union footballer. He plays prop for the Melbourne Rebels. He previously played for Bayonne in France. He is sometimes referred to as Rodzilla. His father Paul is a former Otago flanker. In June 2006, Blake made his debut for the Wallabies.
Pita Alatini
Athlete
Pita Faiva-ki-moana Alatini is a Tongan-born New Zealand rugby union footballer. Alatini is a midfield back who played in 17 tests for the All Blacks between 1999 and 2001, scoring 6 test tries. Alatini played 81 NPC matches for four different provinces, and 72 Super 12 matches for four different franchises. He has also played professionally in Japan for Suntory Sungoliath and Kamaishi Seawaves. Alatini is married to pop singer and actress Megan Alatini. His brothers Tevita, Anthony and Sam Alatini have played for the Tonga national rugby union team.
Atelea Vea
Rugby Player
Atelea Vea is a Tongan professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the National Rugby League. He is by preference a second-row but can also play at loose forward. He has previously played for the Melbourne Storm and the Cronulla Sharks. He made his first-grade début for the Sharks in 2009. He was selected to play for Tonga in the 2009 Pacific Cup.
Monica Maughan
Actor
Monica Maughan was an Australian actress with roles in film, theatre, radio, television and ballet.
Antonio Kaufusi
Rugby Player
Antonio Kaufusi is a Tongan-Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the London Broncos of the European Super League. An Australian and Tongan international and Queensland State of Origin representative forward, he previously played for the Melbourne Storm, North Queensland Cowboys and more recently the Newcastle Knights. Kaufusi primarily plays at prop.
Viliami Ofahengaue
Athlete
Viliami 'Ofahengaue, widely known as Willie O, earned 41 caps for the Australian rugby union side from 1990 to 1998 and played in the World Cups of 1991 and 1995 as well as the World Cup Sevens in 1993. Ofahengaue played for New Zealand Schoolboys in 1988 and participated in a tour to Australia. However, on the return trip, he was refused re-entry to New Zealand with his Tongan passport so he moved to Australia. It was while playing for the Manly Rugby Union Club that he was selected for the NSW and Australia teams. He scored 11 Test tries for Australia from the back of the scrum before handing over the No.8 jersey to fellow Tongan Toutai Kefu at the end of 1998. He has the somewhat rare distinction of having beaten the All Blacks more times than losing to them. After finishing his playing career in Australia, Ofahengaue worked as player/coach in Japan for the next five years, visiting Fiji in 2001 to lend assistance to Tonga’s Pacific Rim campaign. He became head coach of the 'Ikale Tahi in January 2004. He has also coached the Japaneses and Manly Club sides. Current Wallabies number eight Cliff Palu has mentioned Ofahengaue as someone he looked up to during his early career.
Baron Vaea
Politician
Siaosi Tuʻihala ʻAlipate Vaea Tupou, who was more commonly known as Baron Vaea, was a Prime Minister of Tonga. Vaea was a nephew of Queen Salote, who ruled Tonga from 1918 until 1965, and a member of the Tongan nobility. His career in the Tongan government spanned 54 years. Vaea was Prime Minister from 22 August 1991 until 2000 under the former King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV. He had previously served as Tonga's first High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 1969 until 1972, as well as in various ministerial posts from 1972 until his appointment as Prime Minister by King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV in 1991. The late Vaea and his wife, Baroness Tuputupu Vaea, are the parents of the current Queen of Tonga, Nanasipauʻu Tukuʻaho.
Aleki Lutui
Athlete
Aleki Lutui in Tofoa, Tonga, is a Tongan rugby union international player. He currently plays for Edinburgh Rugby club. His position is hooker. On the 24th of April, Lutui signed a two year deal which will bring him to Edinburgh Rugby in the Rabo Pro Direct 12. He previously played for Chiefs in the international Super 14 competition, as well as the Bay of Plenty in the Air New Zealand Cup. He was also the top try scorer for the Bay of Plenty in the 2002 National Provincial Championship. He has appeared numerous times for his national team Tonga. He made his debut for Tonga in March 1999 in a match against Georgia. He played for Tonga in their 2001 Pacific Rim campaign and later in the year toured Scotland and Wales. On June 5, 2004 he captained Tonga for the first time in a match against Fiji. In June 2005 he captained Tonga in four matches; two against both Fiji and Samoa. He went on tour with the Pacific Islanders rugby union team in 2004 for a series of Tests against a number of southern rugby nations. He was included in the Pacific Nations tour to Europe in late 2006 and also played in the game against England at Twickernam in 2008.
Taniela Moa
Athlete
Taniela Moa is a rugby footballer. He currently plays rugby union for the Chiefs. He started playing for Auckland for 2 to three years but then moved to play for Bay of Plenty in the 2010 Air NZ cup competition also known as NPC or ITM cup. His main position is scrum-half but he can also play in the no. 10 jersey. He was born in Tonga and was educated at Onehunga High School, Southern Cross Campus before finishing his last year at De La Salle College, Mangere East He now plays his trade in France leaving after representing the Ikale Tahi at the 2011 RWC.
Inoke Afeaki
Athlete
Inoke Afeaki is a Tongan rugby union footballer. His usual position is at lock. He is currently the Technical Director at the Singapore Rugby Union.
Kim Uasi
Athlete
Eliakim Uasi is a rugby league player who represented Tonga at the 2008 World Cup. His position of choice is at hooker.
Feleti Sevele
Politician
Lord Sevele of Vailahi, was the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga from 30 March 2006 to 22 December 2010.
Sialeʻataongo Tuʻivakanō
Politician
Siale ʻAtaongo Kaho is a Tongan politician who has been Prime Minister of Tonga since 2010.
Bowie Tupou
Man
Bowie Tupou is a professional Tongan Heavyweight boxer fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Katherine Willis
Actor
Katherine Willis is an American actress and producer, best known for roles as Joanne Street on the NBC series "Friday Night Lights" as the mother of paralyzed quarterback Jason Street, FBI Agent Foley on "Prison Break", and as Nancy Rogers on ABC Family's "The Lying Game".
Viliami Vaki
Athlete
Viliami Vaki is a Tongan rugby union footballer. He represented Tonga at the 2003 Rugby World Cup and the 2007 Rugby World Cup. From 2003 to 2005 he played for Gran Rugby in Italy, then moved to USA Perpignan in the Top 14. He currently plays for Reggio in the National Championship of Excellence. He made his debut for Tonga in May 2001 in a match against Fiji in which he was a part of the starting line-up. He played four other Tests that year, another against Fiji and one against Samoa, Scotland and Wales. In 2002 he was capped five times for Tonga, once against Japan and twice against both Fiji and Samoa. He played in four Tests in early-mid-2003 and was then included in Tonga's 2003 Rugby World Cup squad in Australia. He played in four games during the tournament, all in the starting line-up; Italy, Wales, the All Blacks and Canada. He next played for Tonga in June 2005, with matches against Fiji and Samoa. Later that year he captained Tonga in two matches in November, one against Italy and one against France. Vaki was part of the Tonga squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, and scored a try in Tonga's second match against the United States and one against Samoa. He has also represented the Pacific Islanders after making his debut in 2006. He has 33 caps and 35 points for Tonga. He has 3 caps for the Pacific Islanders.
Bill Sorensen
Athlete
William Sorensen was a New Zealand rugby league player who represented his country in the 1954, 1957 and 1960 World Cups. His brother Dave also played for the Kiwis as did two of his nephews; Dane and Kurt.
Etu Uaisele
Rugby Player
Etuate Uaisele is a Tongan rugby league player who currently plays rugby league for the Wyong Roos in the New South Wales Cup competition. His positions of choice are at wing or centre.
Lopeti Timani
Rugby Player
Lopeti Timani is a Tongan-born, Australian professional rugby union footballer. His usual position is Number Eight or Flanker. After two seasons with the NSW Waratahs in Super Rugby, he signed on to play for the Melbourne Rebels in 2014.
Suka Hufanga
Man
Sukanaivalu Ivakuva Hufanga, known as Suka Hufanga, is a Tongan rugby union footballer. He plays as a centre. He plays for Newcastle Falcons in the English Premiership, having previously played for CA Brive in the French Top 14. Hufanga has been in the Tongan squad since 2003. He was selected both for the 2003 Rugby World Cup finals, where he played three matches, and the 2007 Rugby World Cup finals, playing all the four matches. Hufanga scored two tries in the narrow losses to South Africa and England. The Tongan centre has currently 18 caps for his National Team, with 4 tries scored, 20 points in aggregate.
Emosi Koloto
Athlete
Emosi Koloto is a New Zealand former rugby league and rugby union footballer. He represented the New Zealand Kiwis 5 times during 1991. Koloto played his rugby league as a Second-row forward
Halani Aulika
Athlete
Halani Aulika is a Tongan rugby union prop who currently plays provincial rugby for London Irish in the English Premiership.
Clive Edwards
Man
William Clive Edwards OBE is a Tongan Cabinet Minister and former Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga. He is a member of the People's Democratic Party and currently serves as Minister for Justice and Minister for Public Enterprise.
Sione Timani
Athlete
Sione Timani is a Tongan rugby union footballer currently playing at Lock for the Scarlets. He is 6 feet 6 inches and 18 stone 13 pounds. He has 7 caps for Tonga. Sione has two brothers playing professional rugby in Australia, Sitaleki and Lopeti.
Futa Helu
Philosopher
Futa Helu was a Tongan philosopher, historian, and educator. He studied philosophy under the Australian empiricist John Anderson and in 1963 launched an educational institute named ‘Atenisi. The institute began as a continuing education programme for civil servants, then initiated a high school in 1964 and a university in 1975.
Alfred Pupunu
American Football Tight end
Alfred Sione Pupunu is a former professional American football tight end who played nine seasons in the National Football League from 1992 to 2000.
Aisea Tohi
Man
Aisea Tohi is a track and field sprint athlete who competes internationally for Tonga. Tohi represented Tonga at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. He competed at the 100 metres sprint and placed 7th in his heat without advancing to the second round. He ran the distance in a time of 11.17 seconds.
Roy Kinikinilau
Athlete
Roy Kinikinilau is a rugby union player who plays for the Ricoh Black Rams in the Top League in Japan. A powerful winger, Kinkinilau is also an accomplished rugby sevens player. Born in Tonga, he represented New Zealand internationally in rugby sevens competitions.
Kisi Pulu
Athlete
Kisi Pulu is a rugby union footballer. His usual position is at prop. He currently plays for USA Perpignan in the Top 14 in France. He also plays for Tonga.
Kalani Sitake
Coach
Kelaokalani Fifita "Kalani" Sitake is from Nukuʻalofa, Tonga and is currently the defensive coordinator for the University of Utah Utes football team. He played college football as a fullback for Brigham Young and graduated in 2000.
Siupeli Malamala
American Football Guard
Siupeli Malamala is a former professional American football offensive lineman. He played offensive tackle and offensive guard in the NFL for the New York Jets from 1992–1999. He played in 62 games throughout his professional career.
Samisoni Fisilau
Rugby Player
Samisoni Fisilau is a Tongan Rugby union player. He plays Scrum-half for the Super Rugby franchise the Hurricanes. Fisilau played 33 matches for Counties Manukau from 2008-2011 before shifting north to Northland in 2012. He currently plays for Bay of Plenty. He has international experience as well with the Tonga national rugby union team.
Spencer Folau
American Football Player
Spencer Sione Folau was an American football offensive lineman in the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens 1997-2000, Miami Dolphins 2001, New Orleans Saints 2002-2004, and Washington Redskins 2005. He was a member of the 2000 Ravens team that won Super Bowl XXXV.
Sioeli Nau
Man
Sioeli Nau or Joel Nau, He was the son of Lu'isa Ma'ukakalafo'ou Lauaki and Filipe 'Onevela. His also the grandson of Matapule Lauaki the Nima Tapu.
Josh Taumalolo
Athlete
Siua Taumalolo was a rugby union player for Bristol Rugby in the Guinness Premiership. Commonly referred to as Josh, he spent several years in Welsh rugby, playing for Ebbw Vale RFC before joining Bridgend RFC in 2000. He was a member of the Bridgend team which won the final Welsh Premier Division before the restructuring of Welsh rugby in 2003. After this restructuring, Taumololo played for Harlequins for a year, and following their relegation, moved to Sale Sharks before returning to play in the now semi-professional Welsh Premier Division with Neath RFC. He signed for Bristol from Neath in the Summer of 2006 on a one-year contract but was renewed after assured performances. He is a Tongan international and has also toured with the Pacific Islanders rugby union team in 2006-2007. He has signed a contract with FC Grenoble in the French Pro D2 for the 2008-2009 season.
Tim Manoa
American Football Player
Tim Manoa is a former professional American football player. He played fullback for four seasons in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns and the Indianapolis Colts. He played collegiately at Penn State and was a member of both the 1986 national championship team. Manoa was born in Tonga, but at age 10 moved to Hawaii where he discovered American football. He attended Kahuku High School from grades 7 to 9 before moving to Wexford, Pennsylvania. There he attended North Allegheny High, helping the football team win a AAAA State Championship. Manoa was named a Parade All-American and was heavily recruited by several top college football programs, including West Virginia, Pitt, Hawaii, and Ohio State, before selecting Penn State. After outstanding junior and senior seasons as part of Penn State's "Baby Bull Backfield" fullback tandem, Manoa was invited to the Hula Bowl, Senior Bowl, and the NFL Combine where his NFL draft stock rose steadily. He was selected in the 3rd round of the 1987 NFL Draft by the Browns. He would play 3 seasons in Cleveland under Marty Schottenheimer and Bud Carson before moving on for a final season with Indianapolis.
Ita Vaea
Rugby Player
Ita Vaea is a Tongan rugby union player who plays for the Brumbies in Super Rugby. His playing position is openside flanker. He made his Brumbies debut during the 2011 Super Rugby season against the Sharks in Canberra. Vaea attended Nelson College from 2006 to 2007.
Joseph Andy Lui
Olympic athlete
Joseph Andy Lui is a sprinter from Tonga. He came 4th in Heat 1 of the 100 metres Preliminaries at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Viliame Iongi
Athlete
Viliame Iongi is a Tongan national rugby union footballer currently playing for the Tongan national team. Iongi has 12 caps for Tonga and scored 7 tries, 4 coming on his debut in the Churchill Cup against USA. In October 2011, Iongi signed for the Welsh region side the Scarlets. Before signing for the Scarlets Iongi played in Australia with the Queanbeyan Whites for two seasons, winning the ACTRU Premier Division title in 2010. His impressive performances in 2010 earned him a spot in the Brumbies academy for the 2011 season. Iongi made a bright start to his Scarlets career scoring four tries in his first four starts, tries against Ulster Rugby and Northampton Saints were followed by a brace against London Irish in the Anglo-Welsh Cup. He left the region in the summer of 2012.
Salesi Finau
Athlete
Salesi Finau is a Tongan former rugby footballer. He represented Tonga in both the rugby league and rugby union sides.
Tevita Aholelei
Bodybuilder
Tevita Aholelei is an IFBB professional bodybuilder.
David Pangai
Athlete
David Pangai is a Tongan rugby league player who currently plays his club football for the Sydney Roosters in the Australian National Rugby League competition. His position of choice is at wing. Pangai has also appeared on several occasions for the Tonga national rugby league team with his most recent international games coming during the 2006 Federation Shield competition.
Bill Sevesi
Man
Bill Sevesi, QSM, is a musician and master of the steel guitar who helped popularise Hawaiian style music in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Tongan born Sevesi has composed more than 200 songs with over 20 albums to his credit during a career spanning six decades. He began playing the Hawaiian Steel Guitar in 1936, and in later years his band 'Wilfred Jeffs and the Islanders' became 'Bill Sevesi and the Islanders.' He has performed all over the Pacific Islands, New Zealand, Australia and United States. He has recorded some classic favourites such as Bye Bye Baby Goodbye as well as recording artists such as Daphne Walker, The Yandall Sisters and Annie Crummer. He has four children: Wayne Jeffs, Tania Jeffs, Brent Jeffs, Colleen Jeffs
Sione Kalamafoni
Athlete
Sione Kalamafoni is a rugby union footballer who plays at number 8. Kalamafoni played for Tonga at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Sione Kalamafoni has signed for Gloucester Rugby Club for the season commencing 2012-2013. Sione Kalamofoni's notable achievements off the field include saving 7 children from a Tongan orphanage that was burning down.
Charlie Tonga
Athlete
Charlie Tonga is a retired professional rugby league footballer and current coach of the Tongan national team. As a player, Tonga was recognized as a powerful front-row forward, He played in the NRL for Sydney Roosters and Canterbury Bulldogs, and was noted for his damaging running ability. In his time at both clubs, he has played only a handful of NRL matches, and spent most of his time at the Roosters playing for the club's feeder team, the Newtown Jets. Tonga is a committed Christian pastor and youth minister who is called "Power Up" in Campbelltown, and works with kids at risk. After a wayward youth and a stint in jail on an assault charge, Tonga rose to become an NRL player and now coach of the Tongan national side. It was in Woodford Prison as a young man in 2000 that Tonga met former Australian rugby league hooker and pastor Noel Gallagher. The meeting changed Tonga's life. Tonga, now a gentle giant, says youthful pride was the problem in his early 20s and when he came out of jail he thought his career as a footballer was finished. A stint in park footy with Browns Plains followed before his meteoric rise from Easts Tigers to the NRL with the Bulldogs in 2005. Two seasons with the Roosters followed, but re-discovering his roots and helping others became a large part of his life. Tonga won an Ipswich Rugby League title with Swifts in 2011, and retired from playing soon after. He was later named as coach of his native Tonga and will lead the nation in the upcoming 2013 Rugby League World Cup.
Kinitoni Falatau
Soccer
Kinitoni Falatau is a Tongan footballer who plays as a striker. He played for Tonga at 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He also played for Tonga U-17 and Tonga U-23.
Matekitonga Moeakiola
Athlete
Matekitonga Moeakiola is an American rugby union player. He currently plays for SC Albi, and for the United States national side. Moeakiola made his debut at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, scoring a try after coming on as a substitute in the Eagles' opening match against England. Moeakiola plays as a prop. Mate was first noticed by the National Team while playing rugby at the University of Utah. He has since played for the North America 4 Tournament, the U.S. Team that played Munster in Chicago and the Rugby World Cup squad that played in France. In fact, Mate played in all four matches at the RWC and scored a try against England in the USA’s first match of the tournament. Matekitonga just finished up his schooling at the University of Utah and following his performance in the Rugby World Cup was scouted by Pukekohe to play in New Zealand. He is now playing with Pearl City, in Iowa. Matekitonga's father, brother and uncle also played rugby.
Aisea Havili
Athlete
'Aisea Havili Kaufusi is a Tongan rugby union footballer, who currently played most recently as a winger for the Cornish Pirates in National Division One as well as for the Tonga national team.
Kupu Vanisi
Athlete
Osaiasi Kupu Vanisi is a former rugby union footballer who played at flanker for the Highlaners and Hurricanes in the Super Rugby competition. He also made a single appearance for the All Blacks in 1999.
Luatangi Vatuvei
Athlete
Luatangi Samurai Vatuvei is a Tongan-born Japanese rugby union footballer. He used to play rugby in Japan for Toshiba Brave Lupus in the Top League and has also played for the Japan national rugby union team under the IRB three year residence qualification. Usually a second row but also used by Toshiba coach Masahiro Kunda in the centres, Vatuvei is extremely strong. In 2006, he obtained Japanese citizenship. He is 1.9 m tall and weighs 120 kg. In 2007 he moved from Toshiba to Kintetsu Liners which was demoted from the Top League in the previous season. This did not prevent John Kirwan from including him in the Japan squad for RWC 2007. Vatuvei was the top try scorer in the 2004-5 Top League season with 18 tries. He is a cousin of New Zealand rugby league international winger Manu Vatuvei.
Elvis Taione
Rugby Player
Elvis Taione is rugby union footballer. His regular playing position is hooker. He currently represents the Western Force in Super Rugby. He joined the Perth based side ahead of the 2012 Super Rugby season. He previously played of the Waratahs.
Manu Ahotaeiloa
Athlete
Manu Ahotaeiloa is a Tongan rugby union player who currently plays for Agen in the Top 14 competition. He plays as a centre.
Nuko Hifo
Athlete
Nuko Hifo is a Tongan rugby league player who represented his country in the 2000 World Cup.
Steve Kaufusi
American Football Player
Sitiveni P. Kaufusi is a former American football defensive lineman in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1989-1990. He also played college football at Brigham Young University and attended junior college at Dixie State. Currently he is the defensive line coach at Brigham Young University. He is also in charge of recruiting relations with Polynesian players. Kaufusi is one of four Tongans who currently coach in Division I Football. The others are Kalani Sitake at Utah, Viliami Tuivai at Boise State, and Ilaisa Tuiaki Utah State Aggies. Will Kofe of Sacramento State, Alfred Pupunu of Southern Utah, and Sitiveni Tuivai of Southern Utah coach in Division I-AA now known as Division I-FCS. Steve's son Bronson is a freshman defensive end for the BYU Cougars and also plays forward on the men's basketball team.