Tonga’s powering rivals
Coaches of Colleges and Hogs share background
THEY are the head coaches of the Gold Coast District teams about to do battle in a top of the table clash and are very much a reflection of the Tongan presence in the city’s rugby community.
Griffith University Colleges mentor Johnny Ngauamo represented Tonga at the 2003 World Cup in Australia; Hogs counterpart Taione Vea’s time on the Test arena came 10 years later. Both have a different story to tell.
Ngauamo was born in Tonga but soon moved to New Zealand.
“We were looked after by aunties and uncles in Tonga for two years while my Mum and Dad were in New Zealand trying to make a life for us and then send for us,” he recalled.
Then, when he was four years of age, disaster struck, speeding up the relocation process.
“My father had a workrelated accident and became quadriplegic so I guess the New Zealand government sent for us because he was on a government job. We had lawyers and everyone come over and collect us,” he said.
Although he calls New Zealand home, he regards the chance to pull on a Tongan jersey as a proud moment.
“For sure, it was great because I had my brother Milton and my nephew Nisifolo Naufahu playing as well in the same team,” said the former centre. “That was the whole reason I left Europe. It was a chance to play a World Cup.”
Vea, a prop, meanwhile was born and raised in New Zealand but qualified for Tonga through his parents’ heritage.
He succeeded fellow exTongan prop Tonga Lea’aetoa as Hogs coach and is enjoying working at the club alongside Pierre Hola, who played with Ngauamo in Test rugby.
All eyes will be on the top of the table last round match today: Coming off their best showing of the year, the Hogs need a win to hold on to their top two ranking and thus earn a second chance in finals.