Hadley Tonga
| Date of birth | 2 June 2005[1] | ||||||||||||||
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| Height | 172 cm (5 ft 8 in) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight | 80 kg (176 lb) | ||||||||||||||
| School | The King's School, Parramatta | ||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||
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Hadley Tonga is an Australian rugby union player. He plays for the Australia national rugby sevens team.
Career
He played for Australia at U18 level and received his first called-up for the Senior Australia national rugby sevens team in November 2023.[2] He reportedly declined offers from NRL sides Eels and Dolphins to sign a three-year deal with the Australian Sevens program in 2023.[3] However, his debut for Australia 7s was delayed by injuries which ruled him out for a total of 71 weeks.[4]
He played for the 2025 Australia Sevens in January 2025, part of the 2024–25 SVNS series.[5] As a result the time he lost through injury he chose to wear the number 71 whilst playing in the tournament.[6] He scored in the final of the tournament, although Australia 7s ultimately finished as runners-up to Argentina.[7]
Style of play
He is renowned for his pace and has been dubbed "Australia's fastest player".[8] He was timed at running 10.84 seconds for the 100 metres when he was still at high school.[6]
Personal life
He is from Western Sydney and attended The King's School, Parramatta.[9] He is of Italian and Tongan descent.[10]
References
- ^ "Hadley Tonga". Au7s. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
- ^ Worthington, Sam (November 21, 2023). "Australia unleashes 'super fast' teenager Hadley Tonga on sevens world series". Nine.com. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
- ^ Doran, Christy (6 April 2023). "Exclusive: 'Better than Suaalii' - Schoolboy sensation turns down NRL to sign with Rugby Australia". The Roar. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
- ^ "'Absolute weapon': Sargeant excited about unleashing hyped teenager Tonga". Rugby.com.au. Jan 23, 2025. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
- ^ Williamson, Nathan (Jan 16, 2025). "Australia Sevens set to unleash speedster Tonga as legend Longbottom returns for Perth". Rugby.com.au. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
- ^ a b "Hadley Tonga's long injury-filled road to Australia Sevens debut". Ultimate Rugby. January 21, 2025. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
- ^ "LIVE Perth SVNS Day Three: Aussie men and women through to final against Argentina and New Zealand". Rugby.com.au. 26 January 2025. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
- ^ Doran, Cristy (16 January 2025). "Australia's fastest player set for long awaited debut in Perth". The Roar. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
- ^ Worthington, Sam. "Teen excitement machine named for Australia's men's sevens team in Perth". Nine.com. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
- ^ "Teenage sensation Hadley Tonga set for sevens debut in Perth". talanoaotonga.to. 20 January 2025. Retrieved 26 January 2025.