Tonga national rugby union team
 | |||||||||||||||||
| Nickname(s) | ʻIkale Tahi | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emblem | White dove | ||||||||||||||||
| Union | Tonga Rugby Football Union | ||||||||||||||||
| Head coach | Toutai Kefu | ||||||||||||||||
| Captain | Siale Piutau | ||||||||||||||||
| Most caps | Nili Latu (43) | ||||||||||||||||
| Top scorer | Kurt Morath (338) | ||||||||||||||||
| Top try scorer | Fetu'u Vainikolo (15) | ||||||||||||||||
| Home stadium | Teufaiva Sport Stadium | ||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| World Rugby ranking | |||||||||||||||||
| Current | 13 (as of 21 May 2018) | ||||||||||||||||
| Highest | 9 (2011) | ||||||||||||||||
| Lowest | 20 (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 (Albany, New Zealand; 16 June 2000) | |||||||||||||||||
| World Cup | |||||||||||||||||
| Appearances | 7 (First in 1987) | ||||||||||||||||
| Best result | Pool stage, 1987, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015 | ||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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| Website | www.tongarugbyunion.net | ||||||||||||||||
The Tonga national rugby union team is nicknamed ʻIkale Tahi (Sea Eagles). Like their Polynesian neighbours, the Tongans start their matches with a war dance – 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.
Contents
1 History
2 Sipi Tau
3 Wins against Tier 1 nations
4 Overall Record
4.1 World Cup Record
5 Current squad
6 Individual all-time records
6.1 Most caps
6.2 Most tries
6.3 Leading point scorers
6.4 Most points in a match
6.5 Most tries in a match
6.6 Most matches as captain
6.7 Youngest players
6.8 Oldest players
7 Kit history
8 Coaches
9 Notable Former Players
10 See also
11 Notes
12 Sources
13 External links
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 Māori 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 flattened 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!"
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, 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 their greatest home victory, a 20–16 defeat of France in Nukuʻalofa over a touring France but in 2000 they were humiliated 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. Despite keeping Wales to 20–27, they were again thrashed by New Zealand 91–7.
In 2007 Tonga participated in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, winning 2 of their pool matches and nearly defeating the eventual champions, South Africa, in one of the most memorable and exciting games of the tournament, eventually going down 30–25.
Tonga achieved one of the greatest victories in Rugby World Cup history with their 19 – 14 win over France in the 2011 World Cup.
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 a lot of the big Pacific rugby nations, Tonga has a pre-game war dance (Haka). The Sipi Tau is a form of the Kailao. Tonga perform the kailao/Sipi Tau prior to the commencement of a match. The kailao was originally a war dance that was imported to Tonga from Wallis Island. It is usually performed at both public and private ceremonies.
One of the most memorable performances in modern times of the Sipi Tau was 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 it, bringing the teams within metres of one another just prior to kick-off.[1]
Wins against Tier 1 nations
| 30 June 1973 | Australia  | 11–16 |  Tonga | Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Try: Cole Tindall Con: 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 30 rankings as of 8 October 2018[2] | |||
| Rank | Change* | Team | Points |
| 1 |  | New Zealand | 092.96 |
| 2 | |  Ireland | 090.12 |
| 3 | | Wales | 085.94 |
| 4 | | England | 085.68 |
| 5 | |  South Africa | 083.52 |
| 6 | | Scotland | 083.02 |
| 7 | | Australia | 082.86 |
| 8 | | France | 079.10 |
| 9 | |  Argentina | 078.01 |
| 10 | |  Fiji | 076.54 |
| 11 | |  Japan | 075.24 |
| 12 | | Tonga | 073.84 |
| 13 | |  Georgia | 073.13 |
| 14 | | Italy | 072.56 |
| 15 | |  United States | 071.66 |
| 16 | |  Samoa | 068.28 |
| 17 | |  Romania | 068.25 |
| 18 | |  Uruguay | 065.37 |
| 19 | |  Russia | 064.89 |
| 20 | |  Spain | 063.09 |
| 21 | |  Hong Kong | 060.46 |
| 22 | |  Namibia | 059.97 |
| 23 | |  Canada | 059.93 |
| 24 | |  Portugal | 058.30 |
| 25 | |  Belgium | 058.09 |
| 26 | |  Brazil | 056.81 |
| 27 | |  Netherlands | 056.52 |
| 28 | |  Kenya | 055.71 |
| 29 | |  Germany | 055.59 |
| 30 | |  Chile | 054.36 |
*Change from the previous week | |||
Tonga's historical rankings | |||
 | |||
Source: World Rugby - Graph updated to 2 July 2018[2] | |||
Below is table of the representative rugby matches played by a Tongan national XV at test level up until 16 June 2018.[3]
| Opponent | Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | Win % | For | Aga | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% | 16 | 45 | −29 |
| Australia | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 25% | 42 | 167 | −125 |
| Australia A | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00% | 15 | 60 | −45 |
| Canada | 8 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 37.50% | 155 | 193 | −38 |
| Chile | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 32 | 30 | +2 |
 Cook Islands | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 235 | 22 | +213 |
| England | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.00% | 30 | 137 | −107 |
| England XV | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00% | 17 | 37 | −20 |
| Fiji | 91 | 27 | 61 | 3 | 29.67% | 1218 | 1780 | −562 |
| France | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 40.00% | 75 | 149 | −74 |
| Georgia | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 33.33% | 132 | 99 | +33 |
| Ireland | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.00% | 28 | 72 | −44 |
| Italy | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 40.00% | 82 | 154 | −72 |
 Ivory Coast | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 29 | 11 | +18 |
| Japan | 17 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 52.94% | 446 | 418 | +28 |
| Junior All Blacks | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.00% | 23 | 77 | −54 |
| Namibia | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 55 | 35 | +20 |
| New Zealand | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0.00% | 35 | 326 | −291 |
| 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 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.67% | 64 | 55 | +9 |
| Samoa | 64 | 27 | 33 | 4 | 42.19% | 956 | 1119 | −163 |
| Scotland | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 25.00% | 58 | 136 | −78 |
| Scotland XV | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.00% | 13 | 67 | −55 |
 South Korea | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 464 | 66 | +398 |
| South Africa | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.00% | 35 | 104 | −69 |
| Spain | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 28 | 13 | +15 |
| United States | 9 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 88.89% | 241 | 134 | +107 |
| Wales | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0.00% | 84 | 227 | −143 |
| Wales XV | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00% | 7 | 26 | −19 |
 Zimbabwe | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 42 | 13 | +29 |
| Total | 273 | 106 | 160 | 7 | 38.83% | 4977 | 6136 | -1159 |
World Cup Record
World Cup record | World Cup Qualification record | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | P | W | D | L | F | A | P | W | D | L | F | A | |
| 1987 | Pool Stage | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 29 | 98 | Automatically qualified | ||||||
 1991 | Did not qualify | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 64 | 62 | |||||||
| 1995 | Pool Stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 44 | 90 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 34 | 26 | |
| 1999 | Pool Stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 47 | 171 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 317 | 241 | |
| 2003 | Pool Stage | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 46 | 178 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 398 | 178 | |
| 2007 | Pool Stage | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 89 | 96 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 329 | 136 | |
| 2011 | Pool Stage | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 80 | 98 | Automatically qualified | ||||||
| 2015 | Pool Stage | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 70 | 130 | |||||||
| 2019 | Qualified | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 68 | 93 | |||||||
Total | 7/8 | 25 | 7 | 0 | 18 | 405 | 861 | 31 | 12 | 0 | 19 | 1210 | 736 | |
Current squad
On 21 May, Toutai Kefu named a 30-man squad for the 2018 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup and their June test match against Fiji.[4]
Head Coach:
Toutai Kefu
Caps Updated: 23 June 2018
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
|
Individual all-time records
Most caps
| # | Player | Pos | Span | Mat | Start | Sub | Pts | Tries | Conv | Pens | Drop | Won | Lost | Draw | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nili Latu | Flanker | 2006– | 46 | 45 | 1 | 23 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 27 | 1 | 37.50 |
| 2. | Vunga Lilo | Fullback | 2007– | 42 | 39 | 3 | 87 | 12 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 19 | 23 | 0 | 45.23 |
| 3. | Elisi Vunipola | Fly-half | 1990–2005 | 41 | 40 | 1 | 50 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 26 | 0 | 36.58 |
| 4. | Pierre Hola | Fly-half | 1998–2009 | 39 | 38 | 1 | 317 | 11 | 68 | 39 | 3 | 13 | 26 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Benhur Kivalu | Number 8 | 1998–2005 | 39 | 35 | 4 | 40 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 24 | 1 | 37.17 | |
| 6. | Aleki Lutui | Hooker | 1999– | 38 | 30 | 8 | 25 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 25 | 1 | 32.89 |
| 7. | Manu Vunipola | Scrum-half | 1987–1999 | 36 | 31 | 5 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 23 | 1 | 34.72 |
| 8. | Fe'ao Vunipola | Hooker | 1988–2001 | 34 | 32 | 2 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 20 | 1 | 39.70 |
| 9. | Ephraim Taukafa | Hooker | 2002–2011 | 33 | 17 | 16 | 30 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 19 | 0 | 42.42 |
| Viliami Vaki | Lock | 2001–2008 | 33 | 26 | 7 | 35 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 24 | 0 | 27.27 |
Last updated: Italy vs Tonga, 26 November 2016. Statistics include officially capped matches only.
Most tries
| # | Player | Pos | Span | Mat | Start | Sub | Pts | Tries | Conv | Pens | Drop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Fetu'u Vainikolo | Wing | 2011– | 28 | 27 | 1 | 85 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2. | Josh Taumalolo | Centre | 1996–2007 | 26 | 23 | 3 | 118 | 14 | 6 | 12 | 0 |
| 3. | Vunga Lilo | Fullback | 2007– | 42 | 39 | 3 | 87 | 12 | 3 | 7 | 0 |
| 4. | Pierre Hola | Fly-half | 1998–2009 | 39 | 38 | 1 | 317 | 11 | 68 | 39 | 3 |
| 5. | Fepikou Tatafu | Centre | 1996–2002 | 23 | 21 | 2 | 50 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6. | Viliame Iongi | Wing | 2011– | 21 | 15 | 6 | 45 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7. | Benhur Kivalu | Number 8 | 1998–2005 | 39 | 35 | 4 | 40 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Elisi Vunipola | Fly-half | 1990–2005 | 41 | 40 | 1 | 50 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| 9. | 5 players on 7 tries | ||||||||||
Last updated: Italy vs Tonga, 26 November 2016. Statistics include officially capped matches only.
Leading point scorers
| # | Player | Pos | Span | Mat | Start | Sub | Pts | Tries | Conv | Pens | Drop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Kurt Morath | Fly-half | 2009– | 30 | 25 | 5 | 338 | 2 | 47 | 78 | 0 |
| 2. | Pierre Hola | Fly-half | 1998–2009 | 39 | 38 | 1 | 317 | 11 | 68 | 39 | 3 |
| 3. | Sateki Tu'ipulotu | Fullback | 1993–2003 | 20 | 19 | 1 | 190 | 5 | 33 | 32 | 1 |
| 4. | Fangatapu Apikotoa | Fly-half | 2004–2014 | 30 | 20 | 10 | 147 | 2 | 40 | 19 | 0 |
| 5. | Josh Taumalolo | Centre | 1996–2007 | 26 | 23 | 3 | 118 | 14 | 6 | 12 | 0 |
| 6. | Gustavo Tonga | Fullback | 1996–2001 | 13 | 12 | 1 | 114 | 1 | 32 | 15 | 0 |
| 7. | Sonatane Takulua | Scrum-half | 2014– | 20 | 18 | 2 | 88 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 0 |
| 8. | Vunga Lilo | Fullback | 2007– | 42 | 39 | 3 | 87 | 12 | 3 | 7 | 0 |
| 9. | Fetu'u Vainikolo | Wing | 2011– | 28 | 27 | 1 | 85 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10. | Fepikou Tatafu | Centre | 1996–2002 | 23 | 21 | 2 | 50 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Elisi Vunipola | Fly-half | 1990–2005 | 41 | 40 | 1 | 50 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
Last updated: Italy vs Tonga, 26 November 2016. Statistics include officially capped matches only.
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 | 22/03/2003 |
| 2. | Fangatapu Apikotoa | Fly-half | 30 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 0 | South Korea | Henderson | 10/02/2007 |
| 3. | Sateki Tu'ipulotu | Fullback | 27 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 0 | South Korea | Seoul | 04/05/1999 |
| 4. | Pierre Hola | Fullback | 24 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 1 | Papua New Guinea | Nuku'alofa | 07/12/2002 |
| 5. | Gustavo Tonga | Fullback | 23 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 0 | Cook Islands | Nuku'alofa | 05/07/1997 |
| 6. | Benhur Kivalu | Fly-half | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | South Korea | Nuku'alofa | 22/03/2003 |
| Viliame Iongi | Centre | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | United States | Esher | 08/06/2011 | |
| Kurt Morath | Fly-half | 20 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | Fiji | Lautoka | 02/07/2011 | |
| 9. | 3 players on 19 points | |||||||||
Last updated: Tonga vs New Zealand, 9 October 2015. 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 | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | South Korea | Nuku'alofa | 22/03/2003 |
| Viliame Iongi | Wing | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | United States | Esher | 08/06/2011 | |
| 3. | Josh Taumalolo | Fly-half | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Cook Islands | Nuku'alofa | 05/07/1997 |
| Josh Taumalolo | Fullback | 17 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |  Georgia | Tbilisi | 28/03/1999 | |
| Jonathan Koloi | Flanker | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | South Korea | Seoul | 04/05/1999 | |
| Viliami Hakalo | Wing | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Cook Islands | Raratonga | 24/06/2006 | |
| 7. | 46 players on 2 tries | |||||||||
Last updated: Tonga vs New Zealand, 9 October 2015. Statistics include officially capped matches only.
Most matches as captain
| # | Player | Pos | Span | Mat | Won | Lost | Draw | % | Pts | Tries | Conv | Pens | Drop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nili Latu | Flanker | 2006– | 39 | 15 | 23 | 1 | 39.74 | 23 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2. | Inoke Afeaki | Lock | 2001–2003 | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 33.33 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3. | Fakahau Valu | Flanker | 1977–1987 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0.00 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4. | Aleki Lutui | Hooker | 2004–2011 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 11.11 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Elisi Vunipola | Fly-half | 1999–2001 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 44.44 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 6. | Sione Mafi Pahulu | Number 8 | 1973–1975 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 14.28 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 7. | Siaosi Atiola | Number 8 | 1987–1990 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 25.00 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8. | Mana Otai | Number 8 | 1995 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 60.00 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fe'ao Vunipola | Hooker | 1994–1998 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 40.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 10. | 5 players on 4 matches | ||||||||||||
Last updated: Tonga vs New Zealand, 9 October 2015. 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 | 24/03/1990 |
| 2. | Viliami Hakalo | (Wing) | 18 years and 182 days | Japan | Fukuoka | 04/06/2006 |
| 3. | Sione Kalamafoni | (Flanker) | 18 years and 268 days | South Korea | Henderson | 10/02/2007 |
| 4. | Soane Havea | Scrum-half | 18 years and 292 days | New Zealand | North Shore City | 16/06/2000 |
| 5. | Semi Taupeaafe | Wing | 18 years and 317 days | Fiji | Suva | 11/06/1991 |
| 6. | Sinali Latu | Number 8 | 18 years and 320 days | Fiji | Suva | 07/07/1984 |
| 7. | Unuoi Va'enuku | Centre | 19 years and 51 days | France | Pretoria | 26/05/1995 |
| 8. | Pita Alatini | Centre | 19 years and 119 days | Samoa | Nuku'alofa | 08/07/1995 |
| 9. | Tevita 'Ahoafi | (Scrum-half) | 19 years and 171 days | Australia A | Sydney | 25/05/2007 |
| 10. | Isi Tapueluelu | Centre | 19 years and 176 days | Fiji | Nuku'alofa | 24/03/1990 |
Last updated: Tonga vs New Zealand, 9 October 2015. Statistics include officially capped matches only.
Oldest players
| # | Player | Pos | Age | Opposition | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Aleki Lutui | Hooker | 37 years and 95 days | Argentina | Leicester | 04/10/2015 |
| 2. | Hale T-Pole | (Number 8) | 36 years and 152 days | Namibia | Exeter | 29/09/2015 |
| 3. | Rudi Kapeli | Hooker | 35 years and 311 days | Australia | Brisbane | 04/07/1993 |
| 4. | Tukulua Lokotui | Lock | 35 years and 282 days | New Zealand | Newcastle | 09/10/2015 |
| 5. | Kuli Faletau | Lock | 35 years and 185 days | Canada | Nuku'alofa | 03/07/1999 |
| 6. | Ephraim Taukafa | Hooker | 35 years and 80 days | Canada | Whangarei | 14/09/2011 |
| 7. | Hemani Lavaka | Prop | 34 years and 292 days | Canada | Wollongong | 29/10/2003 |
| 8. | Tonga Lea'aetoa | Prop | 34 years and 168 days | Fiji | Lautoka | 19/08/2011 |
| 9. | Kisi Pulu | Prop | 34 years and 144 days | Fiji | Lautoka | 23/06/2012 |
| 10. | Taufa'ao Filise | Prop | 34 years and 118 days | Japan | Whangarei | 21/09/2011 |
Last updated: Tonga vs New Zealand, 9 October 2015. Statistics include officially capped matches only.
Kit history
Tonga usually wears a home kit consistent 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 jerseys.
Kit Manufacturers:
- 1970s-1999 Canterbury
- 2000-2002 Carisbrook
- 2003-2005 Sekem
- 2005-2008 KooGa
- 2008 Samurai Sportswear^a
- 2008-2010 Aoniu^b
- 2011-2012 KooGa/BLK
- 2012-2015 Kukri
- 2016- Mizuno
^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.
Coaches
| Name | Span | Mat | Won | Lost | Draw | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fred Wolfgramm[5] | 1985 | |||||
| Prince Mailefihi | 1986-1987 | |||||
| Fakahau Valu | 1995 | |||||
| Polutele Tuʻihalamaka | 1999-2000 | |||||
| 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– |
Notable Former Players
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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
^ Haka and Sipi Tau set Lang Park alight ABC
^ ab "Men's World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 25 June 2018..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output q{quotes:"""""""'""'"}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}
^ Tonga rugby stats
^ ‘Ikale Tahi Team announced for Pacific Nations Cup
^ "2019 Rugby World Cup Ikale Tahi Mate Maa Tonga Supporters Page". www.facebook.com.
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
