Tonga

Former Australia prop Fifita, denied what he thought was a fair try in the final seconds of an historic semi-final against England, said the team had "rocked the world" over the past five weeks.

"I'm here now - I think we all [are]," Fifita told reporters after the 20-18 loss before 30,003 fans at Mt Smart Stadium.

"Wearing a red jersey, we can't wait until the Pacific series next year. It took a few of us to rock the world. When I say rock the world, I mean we did."

Tonga's Women and Children's Crisis Centre said while it was happy two women have been elected, it was disappointed only 14 percent of people voted for female candidates in last week's election.

The centre's director Ofa Guttenbeil Likiliki said nationally there were only 5,575 votes for women from a total count of nearly 40,000.

She said while special measures like quotas could be short term solutions for increasing women's numbers in parliament, the long term solution is education in schools, as many children are still faced with gender stereotypes at home.

The competition darlings face England in the semifinals at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland on Saturday night, where it is anticipated they will have overwhelming support as they attempt to win through to the World Cup final for the first time.

 Disappointed Kiwi fans will at least be able to cheer on familiar faces with 10 of their squad members having also represented the New Zealand side.

Tevita Fifita, who was then Chief Superintendent of Police in charge of the Central police station at Nuku’alofa, appeared before Lord Chief Justice Cato.

Kaniva News reports Fifita was charged with attempting to pervert the court of justice by asking a police mechanic to replace a number plate on a vehicle.

He was also charged with reckless driving and using an unauthorised number plate.

The incidents occurred on November 18-19 last year.

This is an annual event hosted by Digicel Tonga to the public and with the driving of its Christmas Campaign with a theme ‘Bringing Joy Home this Christmas’.

The event kicked off with a Santa Parade from Faua Wharf to the Digicel Square lead by the military band and followed by supporters, customers and staffs of Digicel Tonga.

Activities such as jumping castle, face paint, colouring section and Christmas photo booth for kids was lined up for the event.

This follows a successful ocean science training and stakeholder engagement workshop last week,

“Ocean conditions play a key role in the economy and in the lives of Tongans, from tourism and coastal development to shipping and subsistence fishermen,” said CEO of the Ministry of Meteorology, Information, Disaster Management, Climate Change, Environment, and Communications, Mr. Leveni Aho at the workshop opening on Monday. “Forecasts and early warnings for ocean-based hazards are critical for early action.”

Sio Suia Taukeiaho credits their success to the overwhelming support from their fans.

“Them just signing their songs gave us goose bumps. That's probably one of the reasons why a few of the boys left other countries to come play for Tonga because we know the fans will always turn up.”

It was a jovial Tonga who turned out to training on Mount Smart number three, with the boys from the Pacific believing that they can claim another tier-one nation scalp.

The alleged incident occurred on Saturday night, November 18 at Hofoa.

Matangi Tonga reports the accused called police for assistance regarding his son who was reportedly drunk and causing disturbance at home.

Post-match celebrations after the defeat of Samoa turned violent after a group was assaulted by police, it has been claimed.

The New Zealand Herald has reported allegations that one of the group, schoolboy Francis Norris, was kicked and punched.

He was one of a group of 11 people, including a brother of former Warrior and Tonga wing Manu Vatuvei.

The Herald posted video of him limping.

Tongan police said the matter was being investigated after Norris’s family complained.

The appointment was made under Clause 61 of the Constitution of Tonga.

A government statement said the Interim Speaker will invite elected representatives of the Legislative Assembly to submit a nomination for Prime Minister designate.

Lord Tangi will call a meeting of the elected representatives of the Legislative Assembly, who will then vote in a secret ballot to elect the Prime Minister from the nominated representatives. The Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga will also be elected.