Tonga beats the Wallabies 1973

An unknown Tongan Rugby Union Team toured Australia in 1973 to play two tests with the Wallabies of Australia.
The first test, Tonga lost but it was a close score. The second test in Ballymore stadium in Brisbane Queensland proved otherwise. Tonga won the match 16-11 and it went down as one of Australia's worse loss in Rugby history to a small minnow nation like Tonga.
The irony of this was Toutai Kefu's father played in that team and his son will one day play for Australia and win a Rugby Union World Cup for Australia.

[@filipetuilawalawa3085]

This sterling performance by Tonga, tell the world, that we, the Pacific People have it in us to stand tall amidst the best in the world! Vinaka Tonga!

[@peasipanamoa7595]

I got to be with Isikeli Vave when he passed away in Kauai. It was an honor to meet one of the Ikale Tahi of that Era! Love this Team and the heart they played with. Otua mo Tonga ko hoku Tofi’a. 🙏🏾✝️❤️🙌🏾🇹🇴💪🏾🤙🏾

[@loisagato4716]

This team's win over Samoa in 1975 saw the rebirth of Samoan rugby. We thought that our wingers were fast until a couple of Tongan loose forwards ran them down. It's a pity that the Ikaletahi of today doesn't show the tight discipline teams of yonder years had.

[@albertpate4145]

wats it under bro

[@tsddobui7341]

but the Tongans are making their name in both union and league in other teams around the world. They are some of the best the different positions they play.

[@jmjm1920]

290km from Niuatoputapu to Upolu Island neighbors! Ofa Atu from Tongatapu Island!♥️👑

[@vaivaka]

THIS IS THE TONGAN TEAM I'VE HEARD AbOUT.. THE LEGENDARY IKALE TAHI FROM 1973! TEU MATE MA'A TONGA!!

[@jnrleka4387]

Damm this is 11 years ago 👌

[@wakeup2reality402]

@@jnrleka4387 ikr

[@mikemailei4491]

This was before lot of tongans migrated to overseas. All that raw talent born in bread in tonga. Amazing. 🇹🇴✊

[@KalapuSeuke]

Valita Ma'ake is a legend in Tonga with his bone crushing tackles through out his career with the Tonga National Team.

[@MrHsv12]

VALITA THE TRUE HIT MAN FOR TONGA ALWAYS PUTTING HIS BODY ON LINE

[@tamaolemaa]

What a legend that Valita is. Huge hits. This 1973 team should never be forgotten. They should have lakalaka written in their honour lol.... and I'm a samoan lol Hope all pacific teams do well this year at the world cup (especially the manu)

[@Moatunu]

This was Tongan Rugby's finest hour. The players of today and the future need to go back and dig deep to find the kind of spirit and brotherhood that these kau to'a (warriors) had.

[@MrKryptonite1000]

valita is the man!! those tackles were AWESOME!!

[@sionelaui95]

Tonga should take notes frm this 73 team, pass the ball and great things will happen

[@levanivosasi2252]

The Best Tongan Team - I met them in Suva ,Fiji...

[@TMS03]

1973 Tonga beats Australia 16 - 11 2011 Manu Samoa beats Australia 32 - 23 Very proud of our pacific nations.

[@noah-xv8cv]

2023 Fiji beats Australia 22 - 15

[@Taemahino78903]

​@@noah-xv8cv tonga beat Australia 2019 in league 👏🔥

[@tamaolemaa]

Malo Tonga. Every man in that team should be remembered forever by your country. True pioneers.

[@koloratu5212]

That last try scorer (Kavapalu) was the last of the OG-15 to past 😢

[@nsbale39]

what a tackle (2:38). my uncle used to play for Fiji and he says that they used to call them the Tongan torpedoes. And after watching that tackle....now i know why.

[@TheFaafetai]

@keisarinahafoka Malo lelei Tonga, I'm Samoan but this is very impressive of Tonga to take Australia in a remarkable performance. Didn't know about this but our Pacific Island Teams should learn from this performance.

[@TheFaafetai]

No. 15 is the man of the match. Very good and smart player the way he mark his apposite number. Most of his tackles created opportunity for Tonga like the last try.

[@kiokis10]

well done polynesia , dat fullback was a beast whooooooooo

[@petelosuaniu]

What a great Tongan team. Teufaiva stadium should be named after Valita Ma'ake. What a lion he was as a player.

[@tapwi781]

These were all Tongan based players and fathers of great Tongan Rugby Players today. Toutai Kefu father played with this team, also all these names are LEGENDS in TONGA. The most known one by far is VALITA MAAKE who is the REAL CHIROPRACTOR! His takles were so spot on, just watch the footage.

[@lupeti]

Thank you for this video! I always heard about this game and growing up in the States, I never thought I would watch it.... thank you so much for bringing back so many fond memories for my father!

[@rockinrollinntrollin616]

These where the days..when you heard ..beautiful tackle..and tackle they did !!,round the hips and thighs,legs !!

[@capowable]

That tackle on McGill😱 Islanders messing people up since forever😂😂😂

[@bigtalo26]

Tonga played awesome in the last world cup, my family was watching it...I mean in both union and league...Latu was my fav in league...wadda freak that guy was!! Toutai is da man...but i'm an All Black fan...haha!!!

[@pommyphoto]

This is great. Ma'lie. We met the Tongan touring team to Wales 1973. We went last year to the South Africa v Tonga game which was amazing. That was another major upset. The Bokke fans were numbed even after the win. They felt they had stolen the game. Next chapter the Pacific Islands team. Come on boys bring home a win. We will see you at Twickenham Nov 8 2008. Ofa atu / Talofa / Bula banaka Sione

[@eshay8546]

I know there will always be people that say "those players were better than the players today"

[@tapwi781]

Thanks mate, youtube hopefully will be online for many generations, also Australia has documented this game and made a series of it.

[@joshuatovo554]

Bro,when I was still playing union in 1992 for the Army Rugby Union Team in Oaky/QLD..My cuz Willie Ofahengaue(Willie O) The Tongan Torpedo was a flanker/breakaway for the Wallabies by then.

[@navutokaboy]

the best rugby memory i'll ever have....thanks If only we had them players now, dedicated and proud to wear the jersey

[@BSSP13]

Thanks for loading this. Awesome, keep it up Tonga and all the best for the world cup. Faamalosi.

[@bigtalo26]

onscreen text says 'Australia against the Wallabies' but we all get the drift...well done Tonga..since my bro-in-law told me about this game..I just had to watch it!! I'm Samoan by the way....thanks for the upload...

[@user-su3fr3lu9n]

My grandpa tali is a legend

[@sasamuraki]

im fijian but this stuff kinda makes me happy just watching - malie tonga!!! hope there will be some major upsets next yr in nz...

[@SialeVailea12]

Dope as video. I wish I could full games of old matches like these

[@williamweir1547]

Sione Mafi was rated by All Black legend Sid Going as one of the best number 8s he played against

[@fijitarzan]

...a huge man with crackin' pace and just a tuff customer on the rugby pitch ....a legend of Tongan rugby for sure ,he went on to make a name for himself in Australian league....had the honour of playing against him in the TEST on Buckhurst Park 1973

[@andrewuasi3689]

Billy Bush also had a lot of respect for Valita Ma'ake. Valita made the same kind of hits on big Billy when they played against NZ Maori

[@2006milika]

I love this VIDEO. Great Hits and Breakaways. Especially the Winning TRY from Tali Kavapalu. Funny thing, That's my dad's lastname. :)

[@bronzemen34]

This Tongan team had it all….boy number 15 and 13 could tackle and thump players - solid hits…..and the whole team passing and support was sublime as well - just as good was there awareness and running…..that was a well deserved win by the best team on the day - great victory 🔥💯❤️

[@SamoaMoSamoa537]

This game saved Rugby Union in Australia.

[@takiraupene3424]

Whole lotta heart these men have.

[@Silver2per]

Tongan Team 1973: TONGA vs Australia 1 Eukaliti Hehepoto 2 Tevita Bloomfield 3 Ualeni Pahulu 4 Polutele Tuihalamaka 5 Fa'aleo Tupi 6 Siaosi Selupe 7 Fakahau Valu 8 Sione Mafi Pahulu (c) 9 Ha'unga Fonua 10 Malakai 'Alatini >>>( Pita 'Alatini's Dad) 11 Sami Latu 12 Sione Foliaki 13 Tali Kavapalu 14 'Isikeli Vave 15 Valita Ma'ake

[@tui2960]

man rugby supporters have changed over the years, noticed at the end even thou australia lost the australian crowd were still clapping for the Tongans true gentlemen sport

[@tapwi781]

@keisarinahafoka, Fakahau Valu went onto captain the Tongan Team in the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987 in NZ, his last match for Tonga was against Ireland 3rd of June 1987 in Brisbane, Ireland won 32-9.

[@veikiekid]

all tongan still proud of you all the 1973 Team that beats Australia..when we will re-wirte this history??

[@Ukulelevis]

Great inspiration for the World Cup 2015, in a few hours Tonga vs Georgia....All the best Ikale Tahi.

[@tevitaphillips3196]

to this day boys that played in that wallabies team are still hurting....

[@kOt985]

Oh true, did they tell you that?

[@enzoreeboot3966]

So proud!!! Love the aussie applause at the end! They made no excuses to y they lost.. Tongans went on after this to serve Australia in rugby through the likes of Willie O, Toutai Kefu etc!!! A proud moment for our nation.

[@islandwarrior16]

u must be proud to have a uncle like him, awesome

[@tapwi781]

Thanks for that, I have corrected it now, Island typing lol. Yeah, a team of legends these guys, Toutai kefu's Dad is playing as well. Ironic after so many years than his son plays for the Wallabies.

[@talahivamaake8168]

And Toutais mom is Valitas first cousin lol

[@namasi7070]

Those tackles from the Tongan fullback!!!

[@sesquatch676]

thank you for sharing this.

[@lockswatts5923]

TBH! THIS is the REAL Tongan men of BACK THEN! Tough men that show true physique and quality playing!

[@joshuamurray-filise2003]

solid hits by the Tongans nice

[@mahe579]

the real HITMAN of the tongan team the legendary No.15 VALITA MAAKE R.I.P

[@peaceloveharmony4053]

This was a great game that was won by great tongan football players of back in the day here in Brisy.My dear beloved mother was at this game too n thoroughly enjoyed it.This was one of my mums fav past memories. R.I.P to those that have passed from this team. R.I.L to the (Queen of Brisbane)Ielema Kalala Taueva Tuise Havea-Peu. God bless n Have a nice day everyone.

[@valentines01]

proud of the 1973 ikale tahi team ..

[@Tangaloa1]

Our pacific island rugby is slowly blooming. Tonga ,Samoa and Fiji have beaten tier 1 rugby teams and we're only going to get better. Good to see other rugby powers using our island talents in their teams ( Faletau, Fofana, Tu'ilangi, and the boys playing for aussies and Aotearoa and the States.

[@tapwi781]

After that defeat with Tonga in 1973, the ARU got there act together and promised the Wallabies will not be Humiliated again on Oz soil ever again by a minnow nation, the rise of Australian Rugby as it is Today. This is all documented in Australian Rugby Documentary files, but not much talked about because of that day Tonga beat the Wallabies. However, in saying that those Tongans who played were Legends in their game, the Wallabies just didn't know. It just shows the rise of Pacific Islanders

[@sakaiaka123]

Until Samoa thought they wanted to have a go?

[@Foonage]

Fiji, Tonga and Samoa now all have wins over Australia. Who's next? One day the All Blacks will fall the one of these great Pacific Nations

[@jjamesgrant9599]

Anthony Parsons when did Fiji beat Australia??

[@simionenauluvula7981]

jjames grant in the 50s

[@kelepingatuvai8814]

jjames grant Fiji beat wallabies twice at suva

[@kOt985]

It'll be hard seeing as the All blacks are pretty much made up of Tongan, Samoan and fijian players now days 🙄

[@Foonage]

@@kOt985 now days? New Zealand has one of the largest Pasifika communities and we have had so for the past 70+ years. Our sporting teams are a reflection of that. There will be a time when a Pasifika team will beat the All Blacks, but a lot would need to change with World Rugby for them to be a consistent threat.

[@silencioSLAP]

OMG I LOVE DIS VIDEO.. valita maake was ma unko i still remember him wen he came to the states.. RIP VALITA MAAKE ma dad loved watching this video

[@nathandawes4995]

Nice Vid!! btw Song is Brian Mcknight - When we were kings

[@Doolittlealot]

Great find - thanks!!

[@Tellyobitchsum]

uncle valita doin the damn thang .....ofa atu rip

[@DM1522]

Valita Ma'ake, damn what a hitman! He would smoke alot of todays players thats for sure.lol.

[@daprownclown]

R.I.P Valita Maake

[@ewaf88]

Wonderful effort by Tonga. I hope Tonga - Fiji and Samoa all do well in NZ.They're all very capable and just need to 'Free' the Spirit.

[@kOt985]

They do do well. That's why there's so many PI players playing for the All blacks 🤣

[@TMS03]

@taweraster No. Not all the players play in Europe. Although you are correct that a majority of them play overseas, the point i am trying to get through is that defeating a prime team such as Australia (2nd ranked in IRB) is very rare. Given the circumstances that these Pacific teams, it becomes a special moment in history. It doesn't matter if Pacific nations have only beaten Australia twice, the fact of the matter is that they have achieved it.

[@tongasamoa89]

R.i.p valita maake #15

[@twoblessed5589]

My Father inLaw always talks about Valita Ma'ake and his hits..after watching rhis video he truley was a hard hitter!

[@antoniowhitfield4187]

Sir rip Colin Mead said when he dive for a try test with Maori in Tonga he never met a solid hit by t, full back n out told by Fr O'rouck NZ priest teacher at St John h School in 73 av memo

[@jerms56]

tapwi781, this is a great video.

[@dax274]

Growing up in Tonga you heard stories of Valita Ma’ake..he was a pretty faced assassin! And old heads have their own stories of when Valita knocked them out. Which are recollections from those that saw the hit. Cos if Valita really hit you, you didn’t remember a damn thing! Lol

[@Timing19]

Really proud of the pacific nations rugby, SAMOA

[@HopelillyG]

I cant believe these players they are awesome!! Go Tonga!!

[@Muncher931]

People wont believe that tonga beat Australia mate ma tonga

[@MrYougotcaught]

Muncher Sweet But...it’s the only time Tonga defeated the Wallabies. Since then, the Wallabies dominated until today

[@fue2012]

@@tamaduk the Tongan rugby league team got that name in the 90s but Mate ma'a Tonga is a saying used way before then. Was used by this team in the 70s which it means die for Tonga.

[@saiafila4824]

No.15 Valita Ma'ake is the man, toughest full back Tonga has ever had. Now we got that softy Lilo who misses so many tackles

[@3trip886]

Hahahahaha hard out! LILO needs to grow some hairs on his ball sacks Before he learns to tackle😂😂😂

[@kavamontofavaha9128]

chris sandow you should go play against lilo lol. im pretty sure your ball sack hairs will dissapear lol.

[@michealjackson4373]

😂😂😂😂

[@kaitreehoe]

Best tongan victory ever

[@islandwarrior16]

i heared fiji defeated the british lions in the 70s too

[@simionenauluvula7981]

Charles Sagigi yes..the great British Lion

[@sailasavakalala8660]

Yes on the 16/08/1977.They won 25-21.My uncle Mr Ilaitia Tuisese played at lock.The Fiji team that day just ran,ran & ran the British Lions ragged-That was their weapon.The other weapons that day was the hard ground and the sun(heat) something the tourists were not accustomed to.

[@petelosuaniu]

@@sailasavakalala8660 and the local referee gave all 50/50 decisions to the Fijians lol (according to the Lions report of the match)

[@namasi7070]

Fiji is the only team with a 100% win record against the British Lions. Played 1 won 1

[@zabaleta66]

Fakahau Valu was a world class forward.

[@Toymit]

There have been a few upsets for the island nations. Tonga beating OZ, almost beating Sth Africa in 07RWC, Samoa beating Wales acouple of times, Fiji beating Wales and almost beating Sth Africa in 07RWC. One of these 3 have beaten France. Then theres the NZ Maori who have beaten the British Lions and drew with Sth Africa (ref cheated handing Sth Africa a draw). Even the smaller Cook Islands have beaten Italy.

[@Vae07]

It was Tonga that beat France

[@tapwi781]

tulims1, this was done by ABC Australia, there is a DVD on this at any ABC store in Australia, just have to ask about it. I think it is under Rugby Legends. Try this DVD in video stores as well 'The rise and rise of Australian Rugby'.

[@tapwi781]

Sorry, it was on ABC TV, it was called LATE NIGHT LEGENDS. Tonga vs Australia 2nd Test. Just go to ABC shops and beg they haven't wiped the footage!

[@ivespoken8902]

it was an authentic tackle lol

[@latu1441]

Tonga will win the World Cup one day.

[@bakerghljdi7234]

Latu in the next life

[@ttlfmag3507]

God bless. Thats what i said 50 years ago

[@YuusukeOnodera]

@Alfa&Omega 00000 before 1987 there was no World Cup

[@vilivoratumaisala6190]

Boy No#15 will be rembered..’Barracuda tackle’ leaves one with excruciating pain especially after the match and probably a skip of dinner n early nap!!lol..

[@tapwi781]

Thanks mate

[@Kava650]

it's because the other countries TRAP the BEST TONGANS AND SAMOANS with their CONTRACTS. that's why they get stuck in the middle of simple nonsense. THE PALANGIS have put in so many silly rules which bind our players to be able to play for SAMOA or TONGA.

[@kasele09]

"That was an almighty tackle." :)

[@cocricklewood4441]

Strange the size of the players then and now. Appear to be equal. Nowadays Islanders tend to be naturally the largest, particularly Tongans.

[@tlfrification]

Hi is there website that I can find the full game of this ... (like from the start of the haka {sipitau})

[@samoanranger]

Love the tackles! Never underestimate the might of the small pacific nations! Big Ups to this Tongan squad! Manu Samoa is yet to beat a top tier side like Australia, i wish one day! Samoa have beaten Wales but they are not top 5. Tonga is the only pacific island team to beat a top tier team e.g. Aus, NZ, England, France and SA! Absolutely Awesome effort!

[@myncraft1]

Fullback was a beast. The tongan missile

[@Ladeuce831]

Yeee! Go Tonga! Mate maa tonga for Life. My uncle Sione putting in Good work! Ofa lahi atu Uncle, now I know where we get our good Rugby skills. TeamSC LadyBruins #Tonga(Sione Mafi)

[@56junz]

Tonga has never beaten the All Blacks but they've beaten the Maori All Blacks.

[@kelepingatuvai8814]

June Fatai true but sadly we'll never to stood a chance to come close against all blacks, cause all blacks say so, and we beat Maori all blacks eight times which is nice

[@user-te3jc3sl7r]

It couldn't have gotten any worse for Wallaby rugby losing to a lowly rated Tonga in 1973. Aussie rugby was definitely in the doldrums in the early 70s winning only 2 tests against major nations since 1970. Bob Templeton and Dave Brockoff started turning Aussie rugby around into a competitive team in the mid-late 70s. Winning the Bledisloe cup in 1979 marked them as top International side.

[@NoName-hg6cc]

In 2023 it has( gotten worse)😂

[@user-te3jc3sl7r]

@@NoName-hg6cc Yes unfortunately.

[@LIF3BRUTHAS]

WHY CANT TONGA HAVE A FULLBACK LIKE THIS GUY ANYMORE ? LMAO

[@izzyvulaca]

@tapwi781 Surely this next RWC we will prevail. goodness those tackles from ma'ake what a killer

[@Islandthunda7]

What a Lineage...

[@tulims1]

I have been looking for this video. I have written to the ARU without success. Any idea where I can buy the full video?

[@lopaaione]

The Tongan team tackle like any Polynesian team play, they want to make sure you know who's got your numbers.

[@Uce28]

Wow I'm proud of my Pacific people one love TOKOUSO......

[@mhokafonu15]

My mom was at this game! Teu faiva in Tonga. Only 20 cents to get in. Memories!