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The Tonga national rugby union team represents the Tonga Rugby Union in men's international rugby union. The team is nicknamed ʻIkale Tahi . 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.
The Tonga national rugby league team represents Tonga in rugby league football. They are currently the fifth ranked team in the world. The team was formed to compete in the 1986 Pacific Cup, and have competed at six Rugby League World Cups, starting in 1995 and continuing consecutively until the most recent tournament. Their best result was at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, where they were semi-finalists.
Rugby union is the national sport of Tonga. Tonga are considered to be a tier 2 rugby nation by the International Rugby Board.
Aleki Lutui in Tofoa, Tonga, is a Tongan rugby union international player. His position is hooker. He is currently playing club rugby for Ampthill in RFU Championship.
Inoke Afeaki is a Tongan former rugby union footballer, coach and administrator. He has played professionally in New Zealand, Japan, Wales, France and Tonga, and coached in France, New Zealand and Singapore. His usual playing position was at lock.
Duane Darrin Mann is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s and coached in the 2000s. A Tonga and New Zealand international representative hooker, he captained both sides. Mann played his club football for New Zealand sides Glenora, North Harbour, Auckland Warriors and Counties Manukau, as well as for English club, Warrington.
Sport in Tonga consists of many games. Rugby union is the national sport, sumo has a following, while football, judo, surfing, volleyball, and cricket have gained popularity in recent years. Rugby league and Australian football are also played.
The 2006 Pacific Cup was the 10th Pacific Cup, a rugby league tournament held between Pacific teams. The tournament was hosted in Auckland and eventually won by Tonga, who defeated Fiji in the final. Fiji's Asaeli Saravaki was the Player of the Tournament.
Alaska Taufa is a Tongan rugby union footballer. His usual position is on the wing. He was part of the Tongan squad at the 2011 Rugby World Cup where he played in one match. He has also signed with French club Oyonnax for the 2015 season. He is the son of Alasika Taufa, who was also a Tongan international in the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
Elisi Busco Vunipola is a Tongan former rugby union player. He played as fly-half.
Simana "Joe" Mafileo is a Tongan former rugby union player. He played as centre.
Etuini Talakai, known also by his anglicised name Edwin Talakai is a Tongan former rugby union player who played as prop.
Tevita Manako, also known as David Manako is a Tongan former rugby union player who played as centre and wing.
Takau Lutua is a Tongan former rugby union player who played as prop.
Milton Makasini Ngauamo is a New Zealand-born Tongan former rugby union player. He played as a lock. He is the brother of Johnny Ngauamo, who is also a rugby union player.
Siua Pututau Maile is a Tongan professional rugby union player who plays as a hooker for United Rugby Championship club Benetton and the Tonga national team.
Samuela H. S. "Semi" Taupeaafe (born in Nuku'alofa, on 29 July 1972）is a Tongan former rugby union player. He played as wing and centre.
Sione Tuipulotu is a Tongan rugby union player, who currently plays as a lock or loose forward for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition and Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby.
Anzelo Tuitavuki is a rugby union player, who currently plays as a wing for Colomiers in the French Pro D2. He previously played for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition and for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby.
Taufa is a name. Notable people with the name include: