Tonga Rugby Public Holiday in 2024

Tonga's government declared a public holiday on Friday November 15th 2019 to mark the deeds of the historic rugby league wins over Australia and Great Britain.

The Cabinet has approved 15 November 15th 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.

The Tongan team defeated Australia 16-12 on Saturday November 2nd. This was a momentous victory. The last time that Australia had been beaten by a nation other than New Zealand, Great Britain or England was 41 years ago when France beat them in 1978.

A statement about the holiday said "Such is the spirit of immense joy, felicitations, and thankfulness conveyed, on behalf of His Majesty The King Tupou VI, The Government and the People of the Kingdom of Tonga, to the Captain, the Manager, the officials and the Head Coach of the Winning Warriors Tonga Team respectively, for the outstanding, awe-inspiring, and unique triumph of the Tonga Rugby League Invitational XIII over the reigning Australian and British Rugby League Teams."