Bay of Plenty

The partnership will allow Tongan rugby players to travel to the Bay of Plenty and participate in a structured and organised rugby program that will include education and player welfare.

Tonga produces world-class players that represent teams in every major playing nation. Tonga Rugby Union CEO Peter Harding says that one of Tonga's biggest challenges is losing track of its national rugby talent abroad and hopes the partnership will help amend this.

The 25-year-old is having a steller Super Rugby Aotearoa season with the Blues and despite the fact he is competing with a current and a former All Blacks first-five; Beauden Barrett and Daniel Carter, Black’s form has justifiably kept him in the starting 15.

Black says becoming a first-time dad and getting to be near his whanau was a major reason for signing with the Bay.

Eliesa Jacob Osaiasi Tonga Faleola Lolohea​, 20, was killed while travelling home to Katikati after visiting his girlfriend in Rotorua.

Kaniva News reports Lolohea sustained serious injuries following the crash on Pyes Pa Rd in Oropi shortly after 6am on Monday last week . 

It was later confirmed he had died. 

“He has been remembered as a gentle soul with a quiet strength,” the NZ Herald has reported.