Liahona High School won the 2013 Tonga secondary schools rugby championship by defeating perennial power, Tonga College 'Atele, in an exciting overtime finish, 22-15. It was their first championship since 1990.
Tonga College scored two tries in the first half and took a 12-0 lead into the half-time break. Liahona battled back in the second half with two tries of their own to tie the score at 12-12. Both teams scored again and ended regulation knotted at 15-15.
In the first of two 10-minute overtime periods, Liahona scored a try and converted to take a 22-15 lead. In the second, Tonga College’s offense mounted repeated strong attacks deep into Liahona territory. Each time they were turned back by Liahona's determined defence.
With time running out, Tonga College made one last powerful drive down to the goal line, threatening to score. Liahona’s defence stiffened, forced a turnover and sealed the victory.
Liahona High School, located on the island of Tongatapu in the nation of Tonga, is sponsored and administered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Kahealani Nau, Liahona’s vice principal, commented, “I was proud for both teams. Both were honorable in the way they played. (Both showed) good sportsmanship.”
Bruce Yerman, manager of Church primary and secondary education in the Pacific Area, said, “ ‘Atele has a long tradition of winning. We honor their team, their tradition, and are grateful for having outstanding competition.”
Before the season started, Liahona’s Principal Fatafehi Fifita, Vice Principal for Academics A. Kahealani H. Nau, Vice Principal for Students Sione Langi, Coach Benhur Kivalu and Coach 'Esafe Latu agreed to a “pass and play” policy. They wanted the team to keep its priorities in order: only good students and good citizens would be allowed to play.
How successful was their plan? Speaking to the school at a special assembly after the game, the principal said, “When I look at the team, I do not see thirty good rugby players, but thirty young men preparing to serve missions.”
There are good citizens on both teams. The captain of the Tonga College 'Atele team, Levini Pahulu, was approached a few weeks ago by scouts for a professional rugby team in Japan. They offered him a chance to play there immediately after his upcoming graduation. Levini, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, declined: "I will first be going on a mission to serve the Lord for two years."