Willie Tonga
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Full name | Villiami Sione Tonga | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia | 8 August 1983||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 185 cm (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 100 kg (15 st 10 lb)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position | Centre | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Villiami Sione "Willie" Tonga (born 8 August 1983), also known by the
Early life
Born in the former Woden Valley Hospital on 8 August 1983,[
Showing a talent at a young age while living in
Rugby league career
2002–2003: Move to Parramatta
Scouted by
2004–2008: Move to Canterbury-Bankstown
Making small but sure career moves, his best-known achievements were yet to be acknowledged when he moved on to the Bulldogs in 2004. His career catapulted in that one year, earning
As 2004 NRL premiers, the
2009–2011: Move to North Queensland
In April 2009, he was named in the preliminary 25 man squad to represent
In 2010 Tonga played all three Origin matches for the Maroons. At the end of the season he also represented Australia again for the first time in five years in the
After a number of long-term injuries, Tonga announced in 2011 that he would be re-joining the Parramatta Eels. This decision was welcomed by the fans and senior members of the Parramatta team who he had played with as young player.
2012–2014: Return to Parramatta
Tonga's return to the club he debuted with was one of long term injuries, he struggled to get a game, only playing 12 in 2012 as the club finished last for the first time since 1972. In the 2013 preseason, during a trial match, Tonga injured his back and was ruled out indefinitely. In June 2013, Tonga was one of 12 Parramatta players that were told that their futures at the club were uncertain by coach, Ricky Stuart. Tonga returned towards the end of the 2013 NRL season making four appearances as Parramatta finished last for a second consecutive year.[11][12]
Tonga later re-signed with Parramatta until the end of the 2015 NRL season. In the 2014 NRL season, Tonga played 16 games as Parramatta narrowly missed the finals under new head coach Brad Arthur.[13]
Reni Maitua
In late 2013 it was revealed that Tonga's best friend
2015–2017: Super League career
On 9 July 2014, it was confirmed that Tonga had signed a contract to play for the Super League club the Catalans Dragons in 2015.[15]
He made his Super League début in round 1 against the 2014 Champions, St. Helens. He scored his first ever Super League try against the Warrington Wolves in round 3.
References
- ^ "Catalans Dragons Equipe Saison 2015". Catalans Dragons site officiel. Catalans Dragons S.A.S.P. 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
- ^ Ferguson, Shawn Dollin and Andrew. "Willie Tonga – Career Stats & Summary – Rugby League Project". Retrieved 8 September 2016.
- ^ "Willie Tonga Player Stats". Retrieved 8 September 2016.
- ^ "Centurions are back". We Love Betting. 7 February 2017. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
- ^ "2009 NRL Player Movements". NRL Live. 4 October 2008. Retrieved 4 October 2008.
- ^ "Catalan (sic) Dragons sign Australia centre Willie Tonga". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
- ^ "Leigh bring in Tonga from Catalans | Total Rugby League". www.totalrl.com. 7 December 2015. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ^ "Most boring team ever? 2008 wooden spoon Bulldogs would beat 2017 version by twenty points". The81stminute. 12 August 2017.
- ^ "Enraged Canterbury fans calls for Dean Pay's sacking after embarrassing Dragons defeat". www.sportingnews.com.
- ^ "Queensland name preliminary State of Origin squad". Fox Sports. 28 April 2009. Retrieved 28 April 2009.
- ^ "Season review: Parramatta Eels". www.nrl.com. 2 October 2012.
- ^ "Parramatta Eels work to erase bitter memories of 2013's wooden spoon season". Daily Telegraph.
- ^ "2014 NRL season reviews of the New Zealand Warriors and Parramatta Eels". news.com.au.
- ^ "Willie Tonga Reveals He Had 10 Seconds to Save Best Friend Reni Maitua". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
- ^ "Catalans sign Australia centre Tonga". BBC Sport.