The Queensland Reds will play against Tonga’s national side in Nuku’alofa on Friday, August 15 to build on Australia’s growing rugby bonds in the Pacific.
Today’s announcement is a strong follow-up to last year’s historic match between the sides when they met for the first time in 29 years.
The match at Teufaiva Sports Stadium is part of the ongoing support of Tongan rugby by the Australian Government, Rugby Australia, and the Reds through the PacificAus Sports-funded Australia-Pacific Rugby Union Partnership (APRUP). The partnership helps bring the nations closer together through a shared love of rugby union.
The match again emphasises the Reds heightened connections in the Pacific following visits to Apia to play Moana Pasifika (2023) in Samoa and Suva to play the Fijian Drua (2023, 2024 and 2025) in Fiji in Super Rugby Pacific.
The August visit will include community activities in Tonga.
"We are again extremely grateful to PacificAus Sports for creating this opportunity to play in Tonga," Reds Head Coach Les Kiss said.
“We know the size and explosiveness of the Tongan side and the importance of the game as their final hitout before Rugby World Cup qualifiers in the Pacific Nations Cup.
“That offers a great challenge for the Reds to test ourselves against a different game style and develop our squad.
“This continued international exposure is part of our strategy to take charge of developing our players and staff which can only be a plus.”
This match against the Ikale Tahi adds to a blockbuster series of matches against international and elite club opposition in the post-Super Rugby period.
Following the Reds’ recent match against the British and Irish Lions, they now have confirmed cap games against Tonga and Japan's Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights, who will play at Ballymore on October 25.
“Playing in Tonga last year was a great experience and will be again. Obviously, we are up against big boys and a national team which is a good step up for guys in the Reds squad like me,” Reds winger Tim Ryan said.
“I’ve been lucky to have experienced international games against Wales, Tonga, Bristol, Ulster and the Lions over the past year or so. Some kick a bit more, others like the Tongans will back their power and running more.
“It’s a real positive to play against different styles and feel prepared.”
The Reds won last year’s match against Tonga 41-14 after trailing 14-12 in the first half.
Australian High Commissioner to Tonga His Excellency Brek Batley said that the match is part of Australia’s commitment to sport in Tonga.
"Tonga and Australia's shared love of sport is a powerful connection between our two countries, and our friendly rivalry inspires kids to reach for their dreams.”
“The Australian Government provides Tonga’s impressive athletes, as well as its coaches, officials and administrators, with access to international sporting opportunities through PacificAus Sports and strengthens Tongan communities through our Team Up sport for development program.
“We're proud to be Tonga's largest sporting partner and support grassroots opportunities for boys and girls all the way through to elite pathways. Bring on the Reds!"
Tonga Rugby Union Chief Executive Aisea Aholelei expressed his gratitude for the continued support of Tongan rugby.
"The visit from the Reds is not only keeping historical ties close between the two organisations but also it has come at a very critical time in supporting the preparation of the Ikale Tahi team in their campaign to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2027 which starts with the game against Manu Samoa the week following the Reds game in Nuku'alofa," Aholelei said.
Queensland Rugby Union Chief Executive David Hanham said regular interactions with the Pacific’s rugby nations were of mutual benefit.
“Deepening the ties with our friends in Tonga is important on and off the field,” Hanham said.
“As part of the Reds tour last year, there was a wonderful moment when Wallaby great George Smith returned to his old school at Tupou College for a rugby clinic. You could see what it meant to the kids and to George.
"Playing Tonga is an important part of the International Program we are building at the Reds and we would like to thank everyone, including our Queensland Premier Rugby clubs, who have contributed to the staging of this game."
PacificAus Sports is an Australian Government sports diplomacy initiative creating opportunities for Pacific athletes, coaches, officials and administrators to access high performance training and elite competition.
The program partners with Australian national sports organisations to support a range of sports, including rugby league, rugby union, netball, football, AFL, cricket, tennis, basketball, and Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth sports.
PacificAus Sports also partners with the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) to promote Pacific sport through ABC Television’s ‘That Pacific Sports Show’ and ABC Radio’s ‘Fresh Off the Field’.
The high performance outcomes of PacificAus Sports are complemented by the Australian Government’s Team Up program, which focuses on sport for development in the Pacific. For more information about PacificAus Sports and its activities, visit www.pacificaussports.gov.au and follow PacificAus Sports on Facebook.
