Tonga will honour its Invitational XIII rugby league team with a public holiday on Friday, 15 November.
The team claimed a slice of history when they stunned world No.1 Australia 16-12 in a pulsating test at Eden Park on Saturday night.
The players are expected to arrive in Tonga next week.
According to Kaniva News, it is understood that Cabinet approved the decision Tuesday.
Tonga’s Prime Minister Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa, has officially congratulated the team.
“Such, is the spirit of immense joy, felicitations, and thankfulness conveyed, on behalf of His Majesty The King Tupou VI, The Government and the People of the Kingdom of Tonga, to the Captain, the Manager, the officials and the Head Coach of the Winning Warriors Tonga Team respectively, for the outstanding, awe inspiring, and unique triumph of the Tonga Rugby League Invitational XIII over the reigning Australian and British Rugby League Teams,” a statement said.
The victory comes a week after Tonga upset Great Britain, and two years after they also knocked off New Zealand during their fairytale run in the 2017 World Cup.
Newshub reports Tonga fell one game short of the final that year, and are now dreaming of lifting the trophy altogether when the tournament moves to England in two years’ time.rugy
Photo Getty Images Caption: Tonga Invitational XIII