Tonga national rugby union team explained

Tonga
Nickname:	ʻIkale Tahi (The Sea Eagles)
Badge:	Logo Tonga Rugby.svg
Badge Size:	180px
Emblem:	White dove
Union:	Tonga Rugby Union
Coach:	Tevita Tuʻifua
Captain:	Ben Tameifuna
Most Caps:	Nili Latu (54)
Top Scorer:	Kurt Morath (340)
Top Try Scorer:	Fetuʻu Vainikolo (18)
Home Stadium:	Teufaiva Sport Stadium
Pattern La1:	_tonga19h
Pattern B1:	_tonga19h
Pattern Ra1:	_tonga19h
Leftarm1:	F70E0E
Body1:	F70E0E0
Rightarm1:	F70E0E
Shorts1:	FFFFFF
Socks1:	F70E0E
Pattern La2:	_tonga19a
Pattern B2:	_tonga19a
Pattern Ra2:	_tonga19a
Leftarm2:	FFFFFF
Body2:	FFFFFF
Rightarm2:	FFFFFF
Shorts2:	F70E0E
Socks2:	FFFFFF
World Rugby Rank:	16
World Rugby Rank Date:	2 June 2022
World Rugby Max:	9
World Rugby Max Year:	2011, 2012
World Rugby Min:	20
World Rugby Min Year:	2005, 2006
First Game:	9–6 (Nuku'alofa, Tonga; 25 August 1924)
Largest Win:	119–0 (Nuku'alofa, Tonga; 22 March 2003)
Largest Loss:	102–0 (Auckland, New Zealand; 16 June 2000) 102–0 (Auckland, New Zealand; 3 July 2021)
World Cup Apps:	9
World Cup First:	1987
World Cup Best:	Pool stage (1987, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023)

The Tonga national rugby union team (Tonga (Tonga Islands);: timi feohi ʻakapulu fakafonua ʻa Tonga) represents the Tonga Rugby Union in men's international rugby union. The team is nicknamed ʻIkale Tahi (Sea Eagles). Like their Polynesian neighbours, the Tongans start their matches with a traditional challenge – the Sipi Tau. They are members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance (PIRA) along with Fiji and Samoa. The Ikale Tahi achieved a historic 19–14 victory over France in the 2011 Rugby World Cup, but having lost to New Zealand and Canada, were unable to achieve what would have been their first-ever presence at the quarter-finals.

History

See also: Rugby union in Tonga.

Rugby was brought to the region in the early 20th century by sailors and missionaries, and the Tonga Rugby Football Union was formed in late 1923. Tonga beat Fiji 9–6 in their first test in 1924 played in the capital Nukualofa. However, Tonga lost the second test 14–3 and drew the decider 0–0.

Between 1924 and 1938 Tonga and Fiji played three test series every alternate year. Matches between the two Pacific nations were hard fought; many have claimed that the ancient feuding wars between the Islanders were transplanted onto the rugby field. Troubles during the third Test of Fiji's 1928 tour to Tonga forced the game to be abandoned with Tonga leading 11–8. In 1954 Tonga played host to a touring Western Samoa.

Tonga beat New Zealand Maori^[1] in 1969, but had to wait until 1973 before they played their second test match, a 30–12 defeat against Australia in Sydney. They got their revenge when they beat Australia in Ballymore, Brisbane 16–11, scoring four tries to two in June 1973. The following year they traveled to the Arms Park for a non-cap international against Wales, a game that ended in a 26–7 defeat.

The first Tongan tour to Great Britain was in 1974, when they played 10 games, including those in Wales against East Wales, Llanelli, North Wales, Newport, West Wales and a Wales XV. The only tour victory was by 18–13 in the opener against East Wales. The 'tests' were lost by 44–8 to a Scotland XV and by 26–7 to the Wales XV.

They remained a little-known quantity in Europe until 1986, when Wales embarked on a tour of Fiji, Tonga and Western Samoa. Early in the game against Tonga, Welsh flanker Mark Brown was knocked over by three Tongan forwards, leading to a mass brawl involving the entire team except Malcolm Dacey and Mark Titley. Robert Jones describes the event in his book Raising The Dragon as "the worst brawl I have ever seen on a rugby field." At the post-match dinner Jonathan Davies was asked to give a few words in Welsh and as the hosts politely applauded he described them as "the dirtiest team I have ever played against"^{[2] [3]}

Tonga were drawn to play Wales again in the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. The previous meeting, plus the decision to rest some of the leading players, led to a poor Welsh performance though they managed to win 29–16. Tonga lost its other two games to Ireland (32–9) and Canada (37–4).

They failed to qualify for the 1991 Rugby World Cup. In 1994 they won the South Pacific championship on try count and so qualified for the Super 10, in which they finished bottom of their pool with only one point.

They qualified for the 1995 World Cup ahead of Fiji on points difference. Tonga managed only two victories in the next two World Cups, against the 29–11 Côte d'Ivoire in 1995 and Italy in 1999. The win over the Côte d'Ivoire brought tragedy when Ivorian winger Max Brito was left paralyzed.

June 1999 brought a 20–16 defeat of France in Nukualofa over a touring France but in 2000 they were defeated 102–0 (including 15 tries) by New Zealand.

After losing their first four matches to Fiji and Samoa, Tonga finished third in the Oceania qualifying group. As a result, they had to play home and away matches against Papua New Guinea, which they won 47–14 and 84–12, followed by a play-off against South Korea, who finished as runners-up in the Asian section. Tonga thrashed them 75–0 and 119–0.

At the 2003 Rugby World Cup Tonga lost all their games and finished bottom of their pool. Although they kept Wales to 20–27, they were again thrashed by New Zealand 91–7.

In 2007 Tonga participated in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, winning two of their pool matches and nearly defeating the eventual champions, South Africa, before losing 30–25.

Tonga achieved one of the most unexpected victories in Rugby World Cup history with their 19–14 win over France in the 2011 World Cup.^[4]

On 24 November 2012, Tonga beat Scotland, at Pittodrie Stadium, 21–15 for their first victory over a traditional rugby power on a European pitch.

Sipi Tau

See main article: Kailao. Like several Pacific rugby nations, Tonga has a pre-game war dance, called the Sipi Tau. It is a form of the Kailao, which was originally a war dance that was imported to Tonga from Wallis Island. It is usually performed at both public and private ceremonies.

During the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia, in Tonga's match against the All Blacks, the All Blacks began their traditional haka, and then Tonga answered to the haka through the sipi tau whilst the All Blacks were performing, bringing the teams within metres of one another just prior to kick-off.^[5]

Wins against Tier 1 nations

Tonga have recorded six wins against tier 1 opposition.

Overall record

Below is table of the representative rugby matches played by a Tongan national XV at test level up until 22 July 2024.^[6]

Opponent	Played	Won	Lost	Drawn	Win %	For	Aga	Diff
	2	0	2	0	0.00%	28	73	−45
	4	1	3	0	25.00%	42	167	−125
	4	1	3	0	%	71	210	−139
	11	5	6	0	%	238	254	−16
	2	2	0	0	100.00%	71	40	+31
	4	4	0	0	100.00%	289	32	+257
	4	0	4	0	0.00%	36	241	−205
	1	0	1	0	0.00%	14	41	−27
	94	27	64	3	%	1257	1881	−624
	6	2	4	0	33.33%	96	172	−76
	3	2	1	0	67.00%	94	107	-13
	7	2	5	0	33.33%	141	119	+22
	1	1	0	0	100.00%	44	22	+22
	3	0	3	0	0.00%	44	131	−87
	6	2	4	0	%	96	190	−94
	1	1	0	0	100.00%	29	11	+18
	18	9	9	0	50.00%	453	459	−6
	2	2	0	0	100.00%	55	35	+20
	1	1	0	0	100.00%	58	3	+55
	7	0	7	0	0.00%	42	519	−477
	3	0	3	0	0.00%	48	124	−76
	12	4	8	0	33.33%	165	319	−154
	2	2	0	0	100.00%	131	26	+105
	1	1	0	0	100.00%	24	19	+5
	5	3	2	0	%	129	111	+18
	69	27	38	4	%	1028	1291	−263
	6	1	5	0	%	89	241	−152
	2	0	2	0	0.00%	13	67	−54
	1	1	0	0	100.00%	92	3	+89
	6	6	0	0	100.00%	464	66	+398
	3	0	3	0	0.00%	53	153	−100
	3	2	1	0	%	88	48	+40
	1	1	0	0	100.00%	74	0	+74
	1	1	0	0	100.00%	43	19	+24
	10	9	1	0	88.89%	272	153	+119
	9	0	9	0	0.00%	108	301	−193
	1	0	1	0	0.00%	7	26	−19
	1	1	0	0	100.00%	42	13	+29
Total	317	121	189	7	%	6,068	7,687	−1,619

World Cup record

See main article: Tonga at the Rugby World Cup.

Pacific Nations Cup

See main article: World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup.

Tonga previously competed in the Pacific Tri-Nations winning three tournaments. The Pacific Nations Cup replaced the Tri-Nations tournament in 2006. Tonga have yet to win a tournament.

Tournament	Won	Drawn	Lost	Tonga finish
	2	0	2	4th / 5
	1	0	4	5th / 6
	1	0	4	6th / 6
	0	0	4	5th / 5
	0	0	3	4th / 4
	2	0	1	2nd / 4
	1	0	2	3rd / 4
	2	0	2	3rd / 5
	0	1	1	3rd / 3
	3	0	1	3rd / 6
	0	0	2	3rd / 3
	1	0	1	2nd / 3
	1	0	1	2nd / 4
	1	0	2	5th / 6
	0	0	3	4th / 4
	0	0	3	4th / 4
Total	15	1	36	0 titles

Players

Current squad

On 21 June 2024, newly appointed head coach Tevita Tuʻifua named a 35-man squad for Tonga's July tests against Spain and Italy.^{[7] [8]}

Head Coach: Tevita Tuʻifua

• Caps Updated: 19 July 2024 (after game v Spain)

Coaches

Current coaching staff

The current coaching staff of the Tongan national team:^[9]

Name	Nationality	Role
Tilitili Puloka		Manager
Tevita Tuʻifua		Head Coach
Nili Latu		Assistant Coach
Pauliasi Manu		Scrum Coach
Joe Tu’ineau		Lineout Coach
Viliami Maʻafu		Defence Coach
Kurt Morath		Skills Coach
Isi Fatani		Breakdown Coach
Semisi Fonua		Strength & Conditioning coach
Joh Fifita		Performance Analyst
Dr. Penisimani Poloniati		Team doctor
Siosaia Vakasiuola		Physiotherapist

Individual all-time records

Most caps

	Player	Pos	Span	Mat	Start	Sub	Pts	Tries	Conv	Pens	Drop	Won	Lost	Draw	%
1			2014–2023	58	53	5	278	17	44	35	0	22	35	1	41.66
2			2006–2017	48	47	1	28	5	0	1	0	19	28	1	40.62
3			2007–2018	44	41	3	87	12	3	7	0	19	25	0	43.18
4			2011–2019	43	41	2	32	6	1	0	0	17	25	1	40.69
5			2010–2023	42	31	11	10	2	0	0	0	20	22	0	48.42
6			1990–2005	41	40	1	50	8	2	2	0	15	26	0	36.58
7			2009–2021	40	34	6	340	2	48	78	0	18	22	0	47.36
8			1998–2009	39	38	1	322	12	68	42	3	19	20	0	48.72
			1998–2005	39	35	4	40	8	0	0	0	14	24	1	37.17
10			1999–2015	38	30	8	25	5	0	0	0	12	25	1	32.89

Last updated: Tonga vs Italy, 12 July 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Most tries

	Player	Pos	Span	Mat	Start	Sub	Pts	Tries	Conv	Pens	Drop
1			2014–2023	58	53	5	278	17	44	35	0
			2011–2016	28	27	1	85	17	0	0	0
3			1996–2007	26	23	3	118	14	6	12	0
4			1998–2009	39	38	1	322	12	68	42	3
			2007–2018	44	41	3	87	12	3	7	0
6			1996–2002	23	21	2	50	10	0	0	0
7			2011–2016	21	15	6	45	9	0	0	0
			1998–2005	39	35	4	45	9	0	0	0
	Telusa Veainu		2015–	16	15	1	45	9	0	0	0
10			1990–2005	41	40	1	50	8	2	2	0

Last updated: Tonga vs Italy, 12 July 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Leading point scorers

	Player	Pos	Span	Mat	Start	Sub	Pts	Tries	Conv	Pens	Drop
1			2009–2021	40	34	6	340	2	48	78	0
2			1998–2009	39	38	1	322	12	68	42	3
3			2014–2023	58	53	5	278	17	44	35	0
4			1993–2003	20	19	1	190	5	33	32	1
5			2004–2014	30	20	10	147	2	40	19	0
6			1996–2007	26	23	3	118	14	6	12	0
7			1996–2001	13	12	1	114	1	32	15	0
8	William Havili		2022-present	15	15	0	99	1	26	14	0
9			2007–2018	44	41	3	87	12	3	7	0
10			2011–2016	28	27	1	85	17	0	0	0

Last updated: Tonga vs Italy, 12 July 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Most points in a match

	Player	Pos	Pts	Tries	Conv	Pens	Drop	Opposition	Venue	Date
1			44	2	17	0	0			22 March 2003
2			30	2	10	0	0			10 February 2007
3			27	1	8	2	0			4 May 1999
4			25	5	0	0	0			22 March 2003
5			24	0	9	1	1			7 December 2002
6			23	1	9	0	0			5 July 1997
7			20	4	0	0	0			8 June 2011
			20	0	4	4	0			2 July 2011
			20	1	3	3	0			1 July 2017
10	3 players on 19 points

Last updated: Tonga vs Italy, 12 July 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Most tries in a match

	Player	Pos	Pts	Tries	Conv	Pens	Drop	Opposition	Venue	Date
1			25	5	0	0	0			22 March 2003
2			20	4	0	0	0			8 June 2011
3			15	3	0	0	0			5 July 1997
			17	3	1	0	0			28 March 1999
			15	3	0	0	0			4 May 1999
			15	3	0	0	0		Rarotonga	24 June 2006
			15	3	0	0	0			23 July 2022
8	49 players on 2 tries

Last updated: Tonga vs Italy, 12 July 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Most matches as captain

	Player	Pos	Span	Mat	Won	Lost	Draw	%	Pts	Tries	Conv	Pens	Drop
1			2006–2016	42	15	26	1	36.90	23	4	0	1	0
2			2015–2019	19	9	10	0	47.36	22	4	1	0	0
			2017–present	19	6	13	0	25.00	80	8	8	8	0
4			2001–2003	12	4	8	0	33.33	15	3	0	0	0
5			1977–1987	11	0	11	0	0.00	12	3	0	0	0
6			2004–2011	9	1	8	0	11.11	5	1	0	0	0
			1999–2001	9	4	5	0	44.44	15	3	0	0	0
8			1973–1975	7	1	6	0	14.28	15	3	0	1	0
9			1987–1990	6	1	4	1	25.00	4	1	0	0	0
10			1995	5	3	2	0	60.00	5	1	0	0	0
			1994–1998	5	2	3	0	40.00	0	0	0	0	0

Last updated: Tonga vs Italy, 12 July 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Youngest players

	Player	Pos	Age	Opposition	Venue	Date
1			17 years and 292 days			24 March 1990
2		(Wing)	18 years and 182 days			4 June 2006
3		(Flanker)	18 years and 268 days			10 February 2007
4			18 years and 292 days			16 June 2000
5			18 years and 317 days			11 June 1991
6			18 years and 320 days			7 July 1984
7			19 years and 51 days			26 May 1995
8			19 years and 119 days			8 July 1995
9		(Scrum-half)	19 years and 171 days			25 May 2007
10			19 years and 176 days			24 March 1990

Last updated: Tonga vs Italy, 12 July 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Oldest players

	Player	Pos	Age	Opposition	Venue	Date
1			37 years and 362 days			3 June 1987
2			37 years and 249 days			24 May 1987
3		(Hooker)	37 years and 95 days			4 October 2015
4			36 years and 358 days			6 November 2021
5			36 years and 302 days			16 June 2018
6			36 years and 152 days			29 September 2015
7			36 years and 122 days			8 October 2023
8			36 years and 76 days			8 August 2019
9			35 years and 311 days			4 July 1993
10			35 years and 282 days			9 October 2015

Last updated: Tonga vs Italy, 12 July 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Kit history

Tonga usually wears a home kit consisting of a red shirt, white shorts and red socks and an away kit with the reversed colours. In the 1999 Rugby World Cup, Tonga wore an all-red home kit. Since 2007, Tongan traditional designs, similar to the ones found on the tapa cloths, were incorporated on the jersey design.

Kit manufacturers:

Period	Kit manufacturer
1974–1980	style=text-align:left	Umbro
1980–1999	style=text-align:left	Canterbury
2000–2002	style=text-align:left	Carisbrook
2003–2005	style=text-align:left	Sekem
2005–2008	style=text-align:left	KooGa
2008	style=text-align:left	Samurai Sportswear
2008–2010	style=text-align:left	Aoniu
2011–2012	style=text-align:left	KooGa/BLK
2012–2015	style=text-align:left	Kukri
2016–2020	style=text-align:left	Mizuno
2021	style=text-align:left	Siomai Print
2021-present	style=text-align:left	Force XV

• Tonga wore Samurai Sportswear kits in the matches against Maori All Blacks and Japan in 2008
• Tonga wore kits manufactured by the local brand Aoniu in the 2008 end-of-year international tours.

Coaches

Name	Span	Mat	Won	Lost	Draw	%W
David Mullins^[10]	1969–1974
Kelepi Tupou^[11]	1983
Fred Wolfgramm^[12]	1985
	1986–1987
Peseti Ma'afu^[13] ^[14]	1991
Sione Taumoepeau^[15]	1994-1995
	1995
	1998
	1999
	1999–2000^[16]
Vaita Ueleni	2000–2001
	2001–2003	19	6	13	0	31.58
	2004–2005	8	0	8	0	0.00
	2006–2007	7	5	2	0	71.43
	2007–2010	16	5	11	0	31.25
	2010–2011	14	7	7	0	50.00
Toutai Kefu (caretaker)	2012	3	1	2	0	33.33
	2012–2015	24	11	12	1	47.91
	2016–2023	51	15	32	0	29.41
	2024–Present

Notable former players

• ‘Otenili Tu‘ipulotu
• Inoke Afeaki
• Stanley Afeaki
• Sona Taumalolo
• Ipolito Fenukitau
• Salesi Finau
• Soane Tongaʻuiha
• Taufaʻao Filise

• Aisea Havili
• Pierre Hola
• Benhur Kivalu
• Nili Latu
• Sililo Martens
• Maama Molitika
• Mana Otai
• Siale Piutau

• Hale T-Pole
• Lisiate Tafa
• Epi Taione
• Josh Taumalolo

See also

• Tonga national rugby league team
• World Cup
• Pacific Tri-Nations
• Pacific Nations Cup
• 2008 IRB Pacific Nations Cup
• Pacific Islanders rugby union team
• Tonga Rugby Football Union

Sources

• Tongan rugby history (from the BBC)
• The good and bad of Tonga (from the BBC)

External links

• Official site
• Tongan rugby union news from Planet Rugby
• Tongan Rugby News
• Details on Rugby WC's squads
• World Cup Preview
• Supporters website of The Pacific Islanders Rugby Team

Notes and References

1. Web site: New Zealand Maori vs Tonga - Match Statistics - Tonga tour in New Zealand 1969 1969 - 15 Aug, 1969 - ESPN .
2. Web site: The Head Hunters: Tongan rugby . BBC . 10 August 2007 . 18 January 2022.
3. Web site: The day Wales' hardest rugby players were left sprawled on the floor and running for safety . Wales Online . 16 November 2018 . 18 January 2022.
4. Web site: Rugby World Cup 2011: France go through despite shock loss to Tonga . Guardian . 1 October 2011 . 18 January 2022.
5. http://www.abc.net.au/rugbyunion/items/s974777.htm Haka and Sipi Tau set Lang Park alight
6. http://stats.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/stats/index.html?class=1;team=16;template=results;type=team;view=opposition Tonga rugby stats
7. officialtongarugby . C8dVZlaSWNc . 21 June 2024 . Team Announcement! ‘Ikale Tahi Squad for Upcoming July Test Series & PNC. . 12 July 2024.
8. News: New team and fresh faces for 'Ikale Tahi squad . Matangi Tonga Online . 21 June 2024 . 12 July 2024 . subscription . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20240621070034/https://matangitonga.to/2024/06/21/new-team-and-fresh-faces-ikale-tahi-squad . 21 June 2024.
9. Web site: Tonga Rugby's Coaching Staff. 15 October 2021. rnz.co.nz.
10. Web site: Fr David Mullins SM . 2023-08-22 . www.maristmessenger.co.nz.
11. https://scontent.fbgy1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/69343323_2419675394955307_7290565375593283584_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=b0qPrSd80OIAX_Y7LbT&_nc_ht=scontent.fbgy1-1.fna&oh=3e388b198006110fc2e10d6777687435&oe=61AD56FA Tonga 1979 tour of New Zealand squad
12. Web site: 2019 Rugby World Cup Ikale Tahi Mate Maa Tonga Supporters Page . Facebook.
13. https://issuu.com/nukualofatimes/docs/nt123_page26 Fiji wins spot
14. https://scontent.fbgy1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/69030896_2419984074924439_8835172212374765568_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=T_NUn9Y2WnUAX-9oIsT&_nc_ht=scontent.fbgy1-1.fna&oh=bae1cbb6e9aaae31e8352e43c71acd01&oe=61AB18CE Photo of the Tonga 1991 squad
15. https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-preview-of-the-16-nations-in-this-summer-s-world-cup-1610779.html Rugby Union: Preview of the 16 nations in this summer's World Cup
16. Web site: Tonga 22 Fiji 25, 2000 Epson Cup - Teivovo.com. 2021-04-29. fijirugbyunion.com.