Tonga will host a historic rugby fixture in September when the First Nations & Pasifika XV takes on a Tongan President’s XV in the inaugural Kaume’a Ofi Trophy at Teufaiva Stadium.
The match, scheduled for Friday 4 September, is the result of a partnership between Tonga Rugby Union, Rugby Australia and the Australian Government through its PacificAus Sports programme, combining international rugby with cultural exchange and community engagement.
The First Nations & Pasifika XV was established to celebrate the contribution of First Nations and Pasifika communities to Australian rugby.
Coached by former Tonga coach Toutai Kefu, the team gained international attention in 2025 when it faced the British & Irish Lions during their Australian tour, narrowly losing 24-19 in Melbourne.
For Tonga, the match will provide an international opportunity for locally based players. Tonga Rugby Union chief executive Aisea Aholelei said the fixture would expose players to higher-level competition while supporting their development.
Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy said the tour “will celebrate our shared passion for rugby and create meaningful opportunities for cultural exchange and connection.”
Prime Minister Lord Fakafānua said the Kaume’a Ofi Trophy represented the close relationship between Tonga and Australia.
The trophy, which means “Close Friends” in Tongan, will recognise the cultural links between the two countries.
The Player of the Match awards will also honour former Wallabies twins Anthony and Saia Fainga’a, who have Tongan and First Nations heritage.
Anthony Fainga’a said the recognition was meaningful for his family and reflected the importance of cultural identity in rugby.
“Our First Nations and Tongan heritage has shaped who we are, both on and off the field,” he said. “It is special to see players given opportunities to celebrate those connections through rugby.”
The touring side will spend a week in Tonga, taking part in school visits, cultural leadership sessions and rugby development activities before the historic match.
The initiative also comes as Australia prepares to host the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with organisers highlighting the tour as an opportunity to strengthen rugby pathways and cultural connections across the Pacific.
