George Tupou I George Tupou I George Tupou I, King of Tonga (4 December 1797 – 18 February 1893) was originally known as Tāufaʻāhau I, or Tupou Maeakafa Ngininginiofolanga in modern spelling (originally Tubou Maeakafa Giniginiofolaga). He adopted the name Siaosi (originally Jiaoji), the Tongan version of "George", after King George III of the United Kingdom, when he was baptized in 1831. His nickname was "Lopa-ukamea" (or Lopa-ʻaione), meaning "iron cable". George Tupou I was born around 1797 in Tonga. 4 December is often-quoted as his birthday and is a public holiday in Tonga; however, it was the date of his coronation in
Anthony Tupou September 2004 issue of "Big League" magazine, after making his début with the Roosters, Tupou claimed that growing up his favourite player to watch was Queensland legend Mal Meninga. He also claimed that the biggest influence on his football was his father and his club coach Ricky Stuart. At the end of that season he played for the Roosters from the interchange bench in their 2004 NRL grand final loss to cross-Sydney rivals, the Bulldogs. In 2005, Tupou made his representative début in the City vs Country Origin for the Country NSW team. At the end of the 2006 season,