Rugby Union

'Kick the gate open': Tongan tour a timely rugby dose

By Murray Wenzel

Sep 4, 2026

Players celebrating. — Result aside, the clash between a First Nations Pasifika and Tongan President's side was a win-win. -PR IMAGE

It was raining tries in Tonga as the reprised First Nations and Pasifika (FNP) XV defied a Tonga President's XV rally to win 43-19 in Nuku'alofa.

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The inaugural battle for the Kaume'a Ofi Trophy - meaning "Close Friends" in Tongan - looked anything but chummy when the visitors led 19-0 after just 12 minutes in wet conditions on Friday.

They scored twice more and an embarrassing thumping threatened, before the hosts found their feet.

Trailing 33-14, Tonga thought they'd bridged the gap to 12 points with a kick to come when they crossed first after halftime.

But the try was denied on review and a player yellow carded for a ruck infringement in the build-up.

FNP captain Triston Reilly immediately scored his second try to make it a 29-point game and put them out of reach.

Earlier, Gage Phillips scored after a brilliant cross-field grubber while Angus Tagicakibau's first-half double came when the Tongan XV were unable to handle Moses Sorovi's box kicks.

Leonaitasi Feke's first-half double for the hosts stopped the rot though before both teams formed a circle and embraced after a contest FNP coach and former Wallaby Wycliff Palu, who has Tongan heritage, hopes was the first of many.

It was the FNP's first outing since their rousing debut against the British and Irish Lions last year, when a Toutai Kefu-coached outfit - featuring Taniela Tupou, Kurtley Beale and Friday's captain Reilly - pushed the tourists in a 24-19 loss.

The Tonga tour, funded by the Australian Government's PacificAus Sports program, follows the demise of Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby and the government's $600 million investment in rugby league in the region.

A separate $150 million proposal to the federal government, led by the prime ministers of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga targeting the creation of two new Pacific sides in Australia's Super Rugby Aust pre-season tournament, has also been tabled.

"We wanted to kick the gate open and leave it open for the next generation to wear this jersey," Reilly said post game.

"We want games every year and more First Nations and Pasifika players at the highest level.

"It's the first time we've toured and couldn't be happier with the week; we came in without knowing each other and we leave as brothers."

"It was a hard game, got pretty fiery towards the end, but that's the way rugby's played: with pride and passion."

FNP flyhalf Chace Oates was awarded player of the match.