Charlie Tonga
{{short description|Tongan rugby league coach and player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2011}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Charlie Tonga
|fullname = Charles Tonga
|image =
|caption =
|position = {{rlp|PR}}
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1977|9|23}}
|birth_place = Nukuʻalofa, Tonga
|retired = yes
|height = {{convert|5|ft|10|in|m|abbr=on}}
|weight = {{convert|17|st|4|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
|club1 = {{nowrap|Canterbury Bulldogs}}
|year1start = 2005
|year1end =
|appearances1 = 10
|tries1 = 0
|goals1 = 0
|fieldgoals1 = 0
|points1 = 0
|club2 = Sydney Roosters
|year2start = 2006
|year2end = 07
|appearances2 = 12
|tries2 = 0
|goals2 = 0
|fieldgoals2 = 0
|points2 = 0
|coachteamA = Tonga
|coachyearAstart = 2010
|coachyearAend = 13
|coachgamesA = 5
|coachwinsA = 3
|coachdrawsA = 0
|coachlossesA = 2
|updated = 29 March 2021
|source = [http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/Charlie_Tonga/summary.html Rugby League Project][http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/coaches/charlie-tonga/summary.html Rugby League Project Coaching]
|new = yes
}}
Charlie Tonga (born 27 September 1977) is a Tongan former professional rugby league footballer and former coach of the Tonga national rugby league team.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/193291/tonga-gets-a-pass-mark-as-coach-calls-for-more-matches |title=Tonga gets a pass mark as coach calls for more matches |publisher=RNZ |date=25 October 2010 |access-date=23 November 2021}}
Playing career
As a player, Tonga was recognised as a powerful front-row forward, He played in the NRL for Sydney Roosters and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, and was noted for his damaging running ability.
In his time at both clubs, Tonga played only a handful of NRL matches, and spent most of his time at the Sydney Roosters playing for the club's feeder team, Newtown.
After a wayward youth and a stint in jail on an assault charge, Tonga rose to become an NRL player and a stint coaching the Tongan national side. It was in Woodford Prison as a young man in 2000 that Tonga met former Australian rugby league hooker and pastor Noel Gallagher. The meeting changed Tonga's life. Tonga, now a gentle giant, has said that youthful pride was the problem in his early 20s and when he came out of jail he thought his career as a footballer was finished. A stint in BRL Open 1's with Browns Plains in 2000 (where he would win a Grand Final) followed before his meteoric rise from Easts Tigers to the NRL with the Bulldogs in 2005. Two seasons with the Roosters followed, but re-discovering his roots and helping others became a large part of his life. Tonga won an Ipswich Rugby League title with Swifts in 2011, and retired from playing soon after.
Post-playing
Tonga was later named as coach of his native Tonga and lead the side in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.
Tonga is a committed Christian pastor and youth minister who is called "Power Up" in Campbelltown, and works with kids at risk.
Career highlights
- FG debut: Canterbury v Newcastle, Energy Australia Stadium, 24 April 2005 (round 7)
- Played in the 2006 Premier League Grand Final (scored one Try)
- Played 20 First Grade Games
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070429201845/http://www.sydneyroosters.com.au/players/player_profile.php?grade=first_grade&player_name=Charles%20Tonga Profile at sydneyroosters.com.au]
- [http://www.qt.com.au/news/tongas-road-to-redemption/1837273/ Tonga's road to redemption, Ipswich Queensland Times]
{{Tonga 2013 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{Tonga national rugby league team coaches}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tonga, Charlie}}
Category:21st-century Tongan sportsmen
Category:Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs players
Category:Brisbane Tigers players
Category:Newtown Jets NSW Cup players
Category:Rugby league players from Tongatapu
Category:Sportspeople from Nukuʻalofa
Category:Sydney Roosters players
Category:Tonga national rugby league team coaches