Crossword Genius

Pacific kingdom not backing limits on Georgia (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tonga

'pacific kingdom' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'not backing limits on georgia' is the wordplay.
'backing' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'limits on' means to remove the middle letters (only the letters at the limits or edges).
'georgia' with its centre taken out is 'ga'.
'not' back-to-front is 'ton'.
'ton'+'ga'='TONGA'

(Other definitions for tonga that I've seen before include "South Pacific island group country" , "Two-wheeled Indian vehicle" , "transport" , "group of Pacific islands" , "Pacific island state" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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