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The 2000 Rugby League World Cup was held during October and November of that year in Great Britain, Ireland and France. Sixteen national teams competed in four groups of four, playing each other once over three weekly rounds before a series of play-offs that culminated in the final between Australia and New Zealand. Tournament favourites Australia defeated New Zealand in the final, claiming their sixth consecutive and ninth total Rugby League World Cup title. Australian winger Wendell Sailor was named player of the tournament.
The Tonga national rugby union team represents Tonga in men's international rugby union it's nicknamed ʻIkale Tahi . 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.
The Tonga national rugby league team represents Tonga in rugby league football. They are currently the fourth ranked team in the world. The team was formed to compete in the 1986 Pacific Cup, and have competed at five Rugby League World Cups, starting in 1995 and continuing consecutively until the most recent tournament in 2017, where they achieved their best ever result as semi-finalists.
The Samoa national rugby league team represents Samoa in rugby league football and has been participating in international competition since 1986. Known as Western Samoa prior to 1997, the team is administered by Rugby League Samoa and are nicknamed Toa Samoa.
Toutai Kefu is a Tonga-born rugby coach, who earned 60 caps playing at number eight for the Australian national team. Kefu is currently the head coach of the Tongan national team having previously coached them as a caretaker in 2012. He is also the Assistant Coach of the First 15 at Iona College. He is additionally the head coach of the Australian side Queensland Country in the National Rugby Championship, while there is a break between international windows.
Tevita Vaikona is a Tongan professional rugby league and rugby union footballer, a winger who played rugby league and picked up many honours before switching codes to rugby union. In 2002, Vaikona was voted best rugby league winger in the world.
Brent Kite is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. A Tonga and Australia international, and New South Wales State of Origin representative front-row forward, he played club football for the St. George Illawarra Dragons, Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and Penrith Panthers. Kite was named the Clive Churchill Medallist for his performance in the 2008 NRL Grand Final, in which he helped steer Manly-Warringah to a 40–0 thumping of the Melbourne Storm, scoring a try.
Taufa'ao Filise is a Tongan rugby union footballer who attended Tupou College in Nuku’alofa. A prop who started his professional rugby career in 2000 with Bay of Plenty in the National Provincial Championship. He was selected the following year for Tonga, and would go on to represent Tonga 17 times, including playing at the 2007 and 2011 Rugby World Cups. Filise would also represent the Pacific Islanders rugby union team in 2004 and 2006.
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.
Rugby union is the national sport in Tonga. 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.
Martin Masella is a Tongan former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s. He was a Tonga international and played at the 1995 Rugby League World Cup. Masella played for the Leeds Rhinos as a prop in their 1998 Super League Grand Final defeat by the Wigan Warriors. Masella captained Tonga in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.
George William Mann is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s, who represented both New Zealand and Tonga.
Willie Wolfgramm is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who represented Tonga at two World Cups.
Paul Fisiiahi is a New Zealand rugby league footballer who represented Tonga at the 2000 World Cup and plays for the Howick Hornets. He is the identical twin of fellow Tongan International David..
David Fisiiahi is a New Zealand rugby league footballer who represented Tonga at the 2000 World Cup and currently plays for the Ellerslie Eagles. He is the identical twin of fellow Tongan International Paul.
Greg Wolfgramm is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who represented Tonga at the 2000 World Cup. He is the cousin of fellow Tongan international Willie.
Esau Mann is a Tongan former professional rugby league footballer who represented Tonga at the 2000 World Cup. He is a cousin and brother of fellow internationals Duane and George Mann.
Jamie Cook is a former professional rugby league footballer who played as a hooker at the 2000 World Cup with the Aotearoa Māori side.
Andrew Leota is a Tongan rugby footballer who represented Tonga in rugby league at the 2000 World Cup.
Nuko Hifo is a Tongan rugby league footballer who represented Tonga national rugby league team at the 2000 World Cup.
References
- ↑ 2000 World Cup dazrl.info