Young Tongans dream of the rugby meal ticket

(From left) Lesieli, Siua and Sisi play a game of touch rugby by the beach at Popua. Photo: Tupou Vaipulu/AFP

On the rocky foreshore of Popua, the poorest area of the Tongan capital Nuku'alofa, a group of girls and boys are tossing around a rugby ball.

Siua, 13, and 11-year-olds Lesieli and Sisi play catch and run across sharp stones as their families fish on the reef, searching for dinner.