# Charlie Tonga

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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Tonga
> Source revision: 1286312670
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{{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](/source/Nuku%CA%BBalofa), 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](/source/Canterbury-Bankstown_Bulldogs)}}
|year1start     = 2005
|year1end       =  
|appearances1   = 10
|tries1         = 0 
|goals1         = 0 
|fieldgoals1    = 0 
|points1        = 0
|club2          = [Sydney Roosters](/source/Sydney_Roosters)
|year2start     = 2006 
|year2end       = 07 
|appearances2   = 12 
|tries2         = 0 
|goals2         = 0 
|fieldgoals2    = 0 
|points2        = 0
|coachteamA      = [Tonga](/source/Tonga_national_rugby_league_team)
|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](/source/rugby_league) footballer and former coach of the [Tonga national rugby league team](/source/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](/source/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](/source/NRL) for [Sydney Roosters](/source/Sydney_Roosters) and [Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs](/source/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](/source/Newtown_Jets).

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](/source/Noel_Gallagher_(rugby_league)). 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](/source/Tonga_national_rugby_league_team) and lead the side in the [2013 Rugby League World Cup](/source/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

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Charlie Tonga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Tonga) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Tonga?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.