Tonga

The 'Ikale Tahi named a 30-man squad earlier this week, leaving one position still to be decided.

Mana Otai says four props were ruled out of contetion through injury, including Paea Fa'anunu, and he needed more time to consider his options.

Radio Tonga reports good worth a total of $US36,000 had been taken.

The Nuku'alofa police chief, Superintendent Tevita Fifita, says the alleged crimes included the robbery of a foreigner and theft from a butcher's shop.

Six of the 16 are still being held in police custody.

The home side thrashed Tonga 5-0 in a friendly match in Ba last night and also play American Samoa in Nadi next week, with both teams preparing for the first round of Oceania Football World Cup qualifiers at the end of the month.

Malakai Tiwa opened the scoring in the 7th minute, with Alvin Singh and Osea Vakatalesau also finding the back of the net to give the hosts a 3-0 halftime lead.

Tiwa doubled his tally ten minutes into the second spell before Napolioni Qasevakatini made it 5-0 from the penalty spot ten minutes from full-time.

The home side thrashed Tonga 5-0 in a friendly match in Ba last night and also play American Samoa in Nadi next week, with both teams preparing for the first round of Oceania Football World Cup qualifiers at the end of the month.

Malakai Tiwa opened the scoring in the 7th minute, with Alvin Singh and Osea Vakatalesau also finding the back of the net to give the hosts a 3-0 halftime lead.

Tiwa doubled his tally ten minutes into the second spell before Napolioni Qasevakatini made it 5-0 from the penalty spot ten minutes from full-time.

Among them are scrum-half Sonatane Takulua and winger Fetu’u Vainikolo who finished as joint top try-scorers – along with Fijian second-row Leone Nakarawa – in the Pacific Nations Cup with four.

Three players who made their debut in that competition in Telusa Veainu, Viliami Tahitu’a and Sosefo Ma’ake have also made the cut for coach Mana Otai’s squad, which still has place for one more player.

Commander Taniela Tuita told Radio Tonga News there's an understanding between His Majesty's Armed Forces and the Government that the monument will be relocated to a different location to allow for the construction of the new government complex, dubbed the St George Palace.

Commander Tuita said they have requested Government to move the War Memorial monument to the Flag pole area in Pangai Lahi, where the commemoration of World War 1 on November 11, will be held.

However, they are still awaiting response from Cabinet.

In Tonga, youth make up an increasingly large proportion of the population. According to the 2011 Census, 19 percent of Tonga’s population were between the ages of 15 to 24. Using the local definition of youth, 15 to 29 years-old, in 2015, at least 30 percent of the population are youth.

And he has stood by his Finance Minister, Dr ‘Aisake Eke for recommending to Cabinet to pay Forbes TOP$230,000 (US$108,000)

He denied allegations that Dr Eke was involved in the initial arrangement for the well-respected global magazine to interview the Prime Minister. Instead, he revealed to Radio and Television Tonga News that the interview was organised by the former Chief Secretary of Cabinet, 'Aholotu Palu. 

Fiji take on Tonga at Govind Park in Ba later today before meeting American Samoa next week in Nadi.

The visitors are using the matches as preparation for the first stage of Oceania FIFA World Cup qualifying, which begins in Nuku'alofa at the end of the month.

Fiji Football National Team Director Taranesh Reddy says after a busy year with the Under 20 World Cup and Pacific Games the focus is now on the national team, and every game helps.

With Tonga preparing for the upcoming preliminary qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Fiji will be fielding a strong side.

Fiji Football Association vice president and national team director Tarunesh Reddy has urged the fans to come out in numbers to support the team.

Reddy said the fans had been calling for international fixtures.

“The team has been in camp since last week and Buzzetti has been working with the combinations,” he said.