Tonga

Nickname(s)	ʻIkale Tahi (The Sea Eagles)
Emblem	White dove
Union	Tonga Rugby Union
Head coach	Toutai Kefu
Captain	Sonatane Takulua
Most caps	Nili Latu (54)
Top scorer	Kurt Morath (340)
Top try scorer	Fetuʻu Vainikolo (18)
Home stadium	Teufaiva Sport Stadium
First colours Second colours
World Rugby ranking
Current	16 (as of 2 June 2022)
Highest	9 (2011, 2012)
Lowest	20 (2005, 2006)
First international
Tonga 9–6 Fiji  (Nuku'alofa, Tonga; 25 August 1924)
Biggest win
Tonga 119–0 South Korea  (Nuku'alofa, Tonga; 22 March 2003)
Biggest defeat
New Zealand 102–0 Tonga  (Auckland, New Zealand; 16 June 2000)  New Zealand 102–0 Tonga  (Auckland, New Zealand; 3 July 2021)
World Cup
Appearances	9 (First in 1987)
Best result	Pool stage (1987, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023)
Medal record Pacific Games 1979 Suva 1963 Suva 1983 Apia

The Tonga national rugby union team (Tongan: 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

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 Nukuʻalofa. 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 Nukuʻalofa 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

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.

30 June 1973	Australia	11–16	Tonga	Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
	Try: Cole Tindall Pen: McGill	Report	Try: Kavapalu Latu Mafi Pahulu Vave	Attendance: 9,563 Referee: Bob Burnett (Australia)

16 June 1999	Tonga	20–16	France	Teufaiva Sport Stadium, Nukuʻalofa
	Try: Taufahema Taumalolo (2) Con: Sateki Tuipulotu Pen: Sateki Tuipulotu	Report	Try: Sarraméa Con: Lamaison Pen: Lamaison (3)	Attendance: 7,000 Referee: Clayton Thomas (Wales)

10 October 1999	Italy	25–28	Tonga	Welford Road, Leicester
	Try: Moscardi Con: Domínguez Pen: Domínguez (6)	Report	Try: Fatani Taufahema Sateki Tuipulotu Con: Sateki Tuipulotu (2) Pen: Sateki Tuipulotu (2) Drop: Sateki Tuipulotu	Attendance: 10,244 Referee: Dave McHugh (Ireland)

1 October 2011	France	14–19	Tonga	Westpac Stadium, Wellington
	Try: Clerc 80' m Pen: Yachvili (3/3) 1', 23', 49'	Report	Try: Hufanga 26' c Con: Morath (1/1) 28' Pen: Morath (4/8) 6', 35', 66', 72'	Attendance: 32,763 Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)

24 November 2012	Scotland	15–21	Tonga	Pittodrie, Aberdeen
	Pen: Laidlaw (5/7) 10', 38', 46', 55', 61'	Report	Try: Lokotui 51' c Vainikolo 65' m Con: Apikotoa (1/2) 52' Pen: Apikotoa (3/5) 5', 64', 72'	Attendance: 20,306 Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)

26 November 2016	Italy	17–19	Tonga	Stadio Euganeo, Padua
15:00 CET (UTC+1)	Try: Cittadini 12' c Allan 54' c Con: Canna (1/1) 13' Allan (1/1) 55' Pen: Padovani (1/1) 77'	Report	Try: Piutau 51' c Con: Takulua (1/1) 53' Pen: Takulua (4/5) 32', 45', 77', 80'	Attendance: 18,125 Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)

Overall record

Men's World Rugby Rankings Top 20 as of 25 December 2023[6]
Rank	Change*	Team	Points
1		South Africa	094.54
2		Ireland	090.57
3		New Zealand	089.80
4		France	087.81
5		England	085.46
6		Scotland	083.43
7		Argentina	080.68
8		Wales	080.64
9		Australia	077.48
10		Fiji	076.38
11		Italy	075.93
12		Japan	074.27
13		Portugal	072.78
14		Georgia	072.68
15		Samoa	072.23
16		Tonga	071.57
17		United States	067.94
18		Uruguay	067.39
19		Romania	063.28
20		Spain	062.86
21		Canada	060.90
22		Namibia	060.56
23		Chile	060.49
24		Hong Kong	059.80
25		Russia	058.06
26		Switzerland	056.29
27		Netherlands	055.84
28		Brazil	055.37
29		Belgium	054.58
30		South Korea	053.46
* Change from the previous week
Tonga's historical rankings
See or edit source data.
Source: World Rugby[6] Graph updated to 25 December 2023

Below is table of the representative rugby matches played by a Tongan national XV at test level up until 8 October 2023.^[7]

Opponent	Played	Won	Lost	Drawn	Win %	For	Aga	Diff
Argentina	2	0	2	0	0.00%	28	73	−45
Australia	4	1	3	0	25.00%	42	167	−125
Australia A	4	1	3	0	25%	71	210	−139
Canada	11	5	6	0	45.45%	238	254	−16
Chile	2	2	0	0	100.00%	71	40	+31
Cook Islands	4	4	0	0	100.00%	289	32	+257
England	4	0	4	0	0.00%	36	241	−205
England Saxons	1	0	1	0	0.00%	14	41	−27
Fiji	94	27	64	3	28.72%	1257	1881	−624
France	6	2	4	0	33.33%	96	172	−76
French Barbarians	3	2	1	0	67.00%	94	107	-13
Georgia	7	2	5	0	33.33%	141	119	+22
Hong Kong	1	1	0	0	100.00%	44	22	+22
Ireland	3	0	3	0	0.00%	44	131	−87
Italy	5	2	3	0	40.00%	82	154	−72
Ivory Coast	1	1	0	0	100.00%	29	11	+18
Japan	18	9	9	0	50.00%	453	459	−6
Namibia	2	2	0	0	100.00%	55	35	+20
New Caledonia	1	1	0	0	100.00%	58	3	+55
New Zealand	7	0	7	0	0.00%	42	519	−477
Junior All Blacks	3	0	3	0	0.00%	48	124	−76
Māori	12	4	8	0	33.33%	165	319	−154
Papua New Guinea	2	2	0	0	100.00%	131	26	+105
Portugal	1	1	0	0	100.00%	24	19	+5
Romania	5	3	2	0	60%	129	111	+18
Samoa	69	27	38	4	39.13%	1028	1291	−263
Scotland	6	1	5	0	16.67%	89	241	−152
Scotland XV	2	0	2	0	0.00%	13	67	−54
Solomon Islands	1	1	0	0	100.00%	92	3	+89
South Korea	6	6	0	0	100.00%	464	66	+398
South Africa	3	0	3	0	0.00%	53	153	−100
Spain	2	2	0	0	100.00%	68	19	+49
Tahiti	1	1	0	0	100.00%	74	0	+74
Uruguay	1	1	0	0	100.00%	43	19	+24
United States	10	9	1	0	88.89%	272	153	+119
Wales	9	0	9	0	0.00%	108	301	−193
Wales XV	1	0	1	0	0.00%	7	26	−19
Zimbabwe	1	1	0	0	100.00%	42	13	+29
Total	315	121	187	7	38.41%	6034	7622	−1588

World Cup record

Main article: Tonga at the Rugby World Cup

Rugby World Cup										Qualification
Year	Round	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	Squad		Pos	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA
1987	Pool Stage	3	0	0	3	29	98	Squad		Invited
1991	Did not qualify									3rd	3	1	0	2	64	62
1995	Pool Stage	3	1	0	2	44	90	Squad		1st	2	1	0	1	34	26
1999	Pool Stage	3	1	0	2	47	171	Squad		4th	7	2	0	5	317	241
2003	Pool Stage	4	0	0	4	46	178	Squad		3rd	8	4	0	4	398	178
2007	Pool Stage	4	2	0	2	89	96	Squad		3rd	7	3	0	4	329	136
2011	Pool Stage	4	2	0	2	80	98	Squad		Automatically qualified
2015	Pool Stage	4	1	0	3	70	130	Squad		Automatically qualified
2019	Pool Stage	4	1	0	3	67	105	Squad		2nd	4	1	0	3	68	93
2023	Pool Stage	4	1	0	3	96	177	Squad		2nd	4	2	0	2	126	111
Total	Pool Stage	33	9	0	24	568	1143				35	14	0	21	1336	847
Champions    Runners-up    Third place    Fourth place Home venue

Players

Current squad

On 21 August, Tonga announced their 33-player squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Head Coach: Toutai Kefu

• Caps Updated: 21 August 2023

Player	Position	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Club/province
Siua Maile	Hooker	(1997-02-18) 18 February 1997	15	Benetton
Sam Moli	Hooker	(1998-12-24) 24 December 1998	16	Moana Pasifika
Paul Ngauamo	Hooker	(1990-02-19) 19 February 1990	31	Castres
Joe Apikotoa	Prop	(1996-07-18) 18 July 1996	5	Moana Pasifika
Siegfried Fisi'ihoi	Prop	(1987-06-08) 8 June 1987	26	Pau
Feao Fotuaika	Prop	(1993-04-23) 23 April 1993	5	Lyon
Tau Koloamatangi	Prop	(1995-01-03) 3 January 1995	9	Moana Pasifika
Paula Latu	Prop	(1996-02-14) 14 February 1996	2	Southland
Ben Tameifuna	Prop	(1991-08-30) 30 August 1991	32	Bordeaux
Adam Coleman	Lock	(1991-10-07) 7 October 1991	3	Bordeaux
Leva Fifita	Lock	(1989-07-29) 29 July 1989	33	Connacht
Sam Lousi	Lock	(1991-07-20) 20 July 1991	16	Scarlets
Steve Mafi	Lock	(1989-12-09) 9 December 1989	41	Oyonnax
Semisi Paea	Lock	(1999-04-17) 17 April 1999	7	New England Free Jacks
Vaea Fifita	Back row	(1992-06-17) 17 June 1992	10	Scarlets
Sione Havili Talitui	Back row	(1998-01-25) 25 January 1998	14	Crusaders
Solomone Funaki	Back row	(1994-04-25) 25 April 1994	14	Moana Pasifika
Tanginoa Halaifonua	Back row	(1996-09-20) 20 September 1996	15	Stade Français
Sione Vailanu	Back row	(1995-01-27) 27 January 1995	15	Glasgow Warriors
Manu Paea	Scrum-half	(2001-09-17) 17 September 2001	10	Moana Pasifika
Augustine Pulu	Scrum-half	(1990-01-04) 4 January 1990	6	Hino Red Dolphins
Sonatane Takulua (c)	Scrum-half	(1991-01-11) 11 January 1991	57	Agen
William Havili	Fly-half	(1998-09-09) 9 September 1998	14	Moana Pasifika
Otumaka Mausia	Fly-half	(1997-04-22) 22 April 1997	11	Western Sydney Two Blues
Pita Ahki	Centre	(1992-09-24) 24 September 1992	7	Toulouse
Malakai Fekitoa	Centre	(1992-05-10) 10 May 1992	10	Benetton
George Moala	Centre	(1990-11-05) 5 November 1990	6	Clermont
Afusipa Taumoepeau	Centre	(1990-01-26) 26 January 1990	17	Perpignan
Fine Inisi	Wing	(1998-05-19) 19 May 1998	8	Moana Pasifika
Solomone Kata	Wing	(1994-12-03) 3 December 1994	12	Leicester Tigers
Kyren Taumoefolau	Wing	(2003-05-08) 8 May 2003	5	Moana Pasifika
Anzelo Tuitavuki	Wing	(1998-10-10)10 October 1998 (aged 24)	8	Moana Pasifika
Charles Piutau	Fullback	(1991-10-31) 31 October 1991	8	Shizuoka Blue Revs

Coaches

Current coaching staff

The current coaching staff of the Tongan national team:^[8]

Name	Nationality	Role
Lano Fonua	TON	Manager
Toutai Kefu	AUS	Head coach
Grant Doorey	AUS	Assistant coach (Defence)
John McKee	NZL	Assistant coach (Attack)
Semisi Fonua	TON	Strength & Conditioning coach
Alejandro Pastor	ARG	Strength & Conditioning coach
Dr. Penisimani Poloniati	TON	Team doctor
LeeVan Santos	NZL	Head Physiotherapist
Siosaia Vakasiuola	TON	Physiotherapist
Joh Fifita	TON	Performance Analyst
Declan Oorloff	AUS	Performance Analyst

Individual all-time records

Most points in a match

#	Player	Pos	Pts	Tries	Conv	Pens	Drop	Opposition	Venue	Date
1	Pierre Hola	Centre	44	2	17	0	0	South Korea	Nuku'alofa	22 March 2003
2	Fangatapu Apikotoa	Fly-half	30	2	10	0	0	South Korea	Henderson	10 February 2007
3	Sateki Tu'ipulotu	Fullback	27	1	8	2	0	South Korea	Seoul	4 May 1999
4	Benhur Kivalu	Fly-half	25	5	0	0	0	South Korea	Nuku'alofa	22 March 2003
5	Pierre Hola	Fullback	24	0	9	1	1	Papua New Guinea	Nuku'alofa	7 December 2002
6	Gustavo Tonga	Fullback	23	1	9	0	0	Cook Islands	Nuku'alofa	5 July 1997
7	Viliame Iongi	Centre	20	4	0	0	0	United States	Esher	8 June 2011
	Kurt Morath	Fly-half	20	0	4	4	0	Fiji	Lautoka	2 July 2011
	Sonatane Takulua	Scrum-half	20	1	3	3	0	Samoa	Nuku'alofa	1 July 2017
10	3 players on 19 points

Last updated: Tonga vs Romania, 8 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Most tries in a match

#	Player	Pos	Pts	Tries	Conv	Pens	Drop	Opposition	Venue	Date
1	Benhur Kivalu	Number 8	25	5	0	0	0	South Korea	Nuku'alofa	22 March 2003
2	Viliame Iongi	Wing	20	4	0	0	0	United States	Esher	8 June 2011
3	Josh Taumalolo	Fly-half	15	3	0	0	0	Cook Islands	Nuku'alofa	5 July 1997
	Josh Taumalolo	Fullback	17	3	1	0	0	Georgia	Tbilisi	28 March 1999
	Jonathan Koloi	Flanker	15	3	0	0	0	South Korea	Seoul	4 May 1999
	Viliami Hakalo	Wing	15	3	0	0	0	Cook Islands	Raratonga	24 June 2006
	Sonatane Takulua	Scrum-half	15	3	0	0	0	Hong Kong	Sunshine Coast	23 July 2022
8	49 players on 2 tries

Last updated: Tonga vs Romania, 8 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Youngest players

#	Player	Pos	Age	Opposition	Venue	Date
1	Elisi Vunipola	Fly-half	17 years and 292 days	Fiji	Nukualofa	24 March 1990
2	Viliami Hakalo	(Wing)	18 years and 182 days	Japan	Fukuoka	4 June 2006
3	Sione Kalamafoni	(Flanker)	18 years and 268 days	South Korea	Henderson	10 February 2007
4	Soane Havea	Scrum-half	18 years and 292 days	New Zealand	North Shore City	16 June 2000
5	Semi Taupeaafe	Wing	18 years and 317 days	Fiji	Suva	11 June 1991
6	Sinali Latu	Number 8	18 years and 320 days	Fiji	Suva	7 July 1984
7	Unuoi Vaʻenuku	Centre	19 years and 51 days	France	Pretoria	26 May 1995
8	Pita Alatini	Centre	19 years and 119 days	Samoa	Nuku'alofa	8 July 1995
9	Tevita 'Ahoafi	(Scrum-half)	19 years and 171 days	Australia A	Sydney	25 May 2007
10	Isi Tapueluelu	Centre	19 years and 176 days	Fiji	Nuku'alofa	24 March 1990

Last updated: Tonga vs Romania, 8 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Oldest players

#	Player	Pos	Age	Opposition	Venue	Date
1	Fakahau Valu	Flanker	37 years and 362 days	Ireland	Brisbane	3 June 1987
2	Polutele Tu'ihalamaka	Lock	37 years and 249 days	Canada	Napier	24 May 1987
3	Aleki Lutui	(Hooker)	37 years and 95 days	Argentina	Leicester	4 October 2015
4	Kurt Morath	Fly-Half	36 years and 358 days	England	London	6 November 2021
5	Joe Tuineau	Lock	36 years and 302 days	Samoa	Suva	16 June 2018
6	Hale T-Pole	Lock	36 years and 152 days	Namibia	Exeter	29 September 2015
7	Siegfried Fisi'ihoi	Prop	36 years and 122 days	Romania	Lille	8 October 2023
8	Elvis Taione	Hooker	36 years and 76 days	Canada	Lautoka	8 August 2019
9	Rudi Kapeli	Hooker	35 years and 311 days	Australia	Brisbane	4 July 1993
10	Tukulua Lokotui	Lock	35 years and 282 days	New Zealand	Newcastle	9 October 2015

Last updated: Tonga vs Romania, 8 October 2023. 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:

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

1987–1995 Home

1987–1995 Away

1999 RWC Home

2003 Home

2003 Away

2007 Home

2009 Home

2011 Home

2015 Home

2015 Away

2017 Home

2017 Away

2019 Home

2019 Away

Coaches

Name	Span	Mat	Won	Lost	Draw	%W
David Mullins[9]	1969–1974
Kelepi Tupou[10]	1983
Fred Wolfgramm[11]	1985
Prince Mailefihi	1986–1987
Peseti Ma'afu[12][13]	1991
Sione Taumoepeau[14]	1994-1995
Fakahau Valu	1995
Rev. Tevita Latailakepa	1998
Polutele Tuʻihalamaka	1999
David Waterston	1999–2000[15]
Vaita Ueleni	2000–2001
Jim Love	2001–2003	19	6	13	0	31.58
Willie Ofahengaue	2004–2005	8	0	8	0	0.00
Adam Leach	2006–2007	7	5	2	0	71.43
Quddus Fielea	2007–2010	16	5	11	0	31.25
Isitolo Maka	2010–2011	14	7	7	0	50.00
Toutai Kefu (caretaker)	2012	3	1	2	0	33.33
Mana Otai	2012–2015	24	11	12	1	47.91
Toutai Kefu	2016–present	51	15	32	0	29.41

Notable former players

Brooklyn Creevy

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tonga national rugby union team.

• 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

Notes

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