{{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 = <ref>[http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/Charlie_Tonga/summary.html Rugby League Project]</ref><ref>[http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/coaches/charlie-tonga/summary.html Rugby League Project Coaching]</ref> |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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
==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:1977 births Category:Living people 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:Rugby league props Category:Sportspeople from Nukuʻalofa Category:Sydney Roosters players Category:Tonga national rugby league team coaches Category:Tongan rugby league coaches Category:Tongan rugby league players