Tonga declares Friday  public holiday to celebrate rugby league win

NUKU’ALOFA, 13 NOVEMBER 2019 (RNZ PACIFIC) – Tonga is to have a public holiday this Friday to mark the achievements of the Tonga Invitational XIII rugby league team.

In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said the day was in recognition of the team’s achievements at the recent Oceania Cup against Australia and Great Britain.

The Cabinet approved 15 November to be declared a Special Public Holiday for the entire country.

“This is to celebrate the achievement, outstanding performance and the talents gifted to Tongan players by the Government of Tonga,” the statement said.

Earlier, Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa thanked the team for what he called their awe-inspiring triumphs.

The invitational team, known as the Kau To’a, defeated Great Britain and the World Champion Australians for the first time over the past month.