The national rugby league team has landed in Tonga for a week-long preparation camp ahead of the Pacific Championships.
The Tonga XIII team, better known as Mate Ma’a Tonga (MMT) arrived at Fuaʻamotu Airport yesterday to the excitement of family and fans who were waiting for them.
The team is in Tonga under the support of PacificAusSports prior to the tournament kick-off.
Their itinerary includes school and community visits on Wednesday. The squad will hold an open training session and fan engagement at Pangai on Friday and then the team will join a float parade along Taufaʻahau and Vuna Road in the afternoon.
The 2025 Pacific Championships begin on 18 October. Tonga’s first marquee match is against Toa Samoa on Sunday 26 October at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
Later in the tournament, New Zealand will host a double-header at Eden Park featuring the Kiwi Ferns versus the Jillaroos, followed by Kiwis v Tonga on Sunday 2 November.
This home visit and public schedule aim to energise local support before MMT depart for the championship matches.
