Tongan league star Kotoni Staggs has met his father for the first time as celebrations kick off in the tiny Pacific island kingdom.
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Today was declared a public holiday in Tonga after its rugby league team's historic upset win over Australia at Eden Park two weeks ago with typically exuberant celebrations at the parade.
Source: 1 NEWS
Today was declared a public holiday in Tonga after their rugby league team's historic upset win over Australia at Eden Park two weeks ago.
Part-indigenous star Staggs chose to play for Tonga in June to learn about his Pacific island heritage, having never meet his father.
“To reunite with my dad is a special moment," Staggs said. "As you can see the parade is going on.
“You know it's a different feeling for me and I'm grateful to be a part of it.”
Thousands lined the streets of Nuku'alofa, with Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou among those relishing the festivities.