Tonga

The team were presented with special awards by King Tupou VI at the palace after their sensational dream run at this year's Rugby League World Cup tournament.

Taumalolo spoke to 1 NEWS before the award ceremony and said he was eager to meet the Tongan king.

"Pretty excited," said Taumalolo.

The 24-year-old admitted he was still hurting after his side's RLWC exit but was happy with his team's efforts.

The deceased, Li’ekina He Vahafolau Fīnau, 22 of Takatamotonga was identified by his sister.

According to Kaniva News, the incident occurred on Tuesday night.

Acting Police Chief Superintendent Tēvita Vailea said Police arrested Fīnau after a complaint was filed against him.

Vailea alleged that Fīnau was drunk and he was at the back of the pick-up van with a Police officer while they were heading to the Police station.

The 26-year-old earned 17 test caps for New Zealand between 2013 and 2015, but was overlooked for the last World Cup squad after signing for Ulster.

He is set to become world rugby's highest-paid player when he switches to English club Bristol next season, where older brother and 'Ikale Tahi captain Siale Piutau is already on the books.

Tonga coach Toutai Kefu said the former Tonga Under 20s representative was keen and would add real quality.

Nautu’a Masima was again successful with a second to extend the lead in the 22nd minute 0-6.
 
With loose carries and frustrating turnovers during the first half, the Vodafone Fiji U20 team finally scored two quick tries through Apisalome Boginidrau and Poniani Batiniu to take the lead. At the stroke of half time, Fiji conceded another soft penalty which saw Masima add another three to his tally and bring his team within range. Fiji went into the half time break with a 3 point lead of 12-9.
 

It won't be happening.

Barrister Nalesoni Tupou petitioned RLWC2017 organisers and Rugby League International Federation on Tuesday, hoping to have Tonga's heart-breaking 20-18 semi-final loss to England reversed.

After the Mate Ma'a had scored three late tries, Australian referee Matt Cecchin denied them a fourth, ruling a knock-on in the game's final play, without referring the decision to TV officials.

RLWC2017 organisers have officially confirmed to Newshub they received the lawyer's letter, but won't be changing their stance on the result.

Demonstrations went into a third day on Monday after Mate Ma'a Tonga lost their semi-final game against England at the Rugby League World Cup on Saturday night.

The side's 20-18 defeat came after a controversial call in the match's dying moments, when Australian referee Matt Cecchin ruled a knock-on without consulting a video replay.

But while most Tongan fans have been protesting the contentious call peacefully, others have used it as an excuse for reckless behaviour, as evidenced in the video.

The five countries are the Cook Islands, the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu.

The company, which is owned by the Pacific Island countries, was set up after states saw a need for a mechanism to protect their people from increasing climate and seismic risks.

It provides a regional catastrophe insurance platform offering cover that can be paid out within 10 days of a triggered event, so governments have access to immediate liquidity for disaster response.

Barrister Nalesoni Tupou says he will be laying a formal complaint with the Rugby League World Cup authority regarding the refereeing in the match.  

"I will be asking them why there was no process to review or reconsider the decision by the referee."

The Tongan side were denied a match-winning try in the game's final play, when Australian referee Matt Cecchin ruled a knock-on, without consulting a video replay.

The Tonga camp were left fuming when referee Matt Cecchin failed to refer the passage of play to the video referee during England's 20-18 victory on Saturday.

With seconds on the clock, Fifita lost control of the ball under the pressure of an Elliott Whitehead tackle before regaining it and rolling over the tryline.

Tonga coach Kristian Woolf was dumbfounded that the decision wasn't sent upstairs, however, Archer said the decision was correct and Cecchin was in contention to oversee next week's final.

 Hundreds of Tongan rugby league fans gathered in central Auckland yesterday where they sang hymns in protest following a heartbreaking and controversial loss to England in the World Cup semi-final on Saturday. Hundreds of Tongan rugby league fans gathered in central Auckland yesterday where they sang hymns in protest following a heartbreaking and controversial loss to England in the World Cup semi-final on Saturday.