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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.
Marco Bortolami is a rugby union coach and retired Italian international player, whose career includes experience playing in the national top-level Italian, French, and English championships, before joining the then recently-born Pro14. Praised for his leadership skills, he captained all the teams he played for at professional level. At international level, he also captained the Italian side since 2002 till the 2007 Rugby World Cup, before being replaced in the permanent role by Sergio Parisse. He currently serves as head coach for Benetton Rugby in the United Rugby Championship.
Rodger Siaosi Toutai Kefu is a Tongan-Australian professional rugby union coach and former player who has been coaching the Tonga national team since 2016.
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.
James Leigh Hamilton is a Scottish former rugby union player who made 63 international appearances for the Scotland national team. He played for club sides Leicester Tigers 2003–2008, Edinburgh Rugby 2008–2010, Gloucester Rugby 2010–2013, Montpellier Herault Rugby 2013–2014 and Saracens F.C. 2014–2017.
Soane Tongaʻuiha is a Tongan-born, New Zealand-educated, rugby union player and coach. His longest stint was spent with the Northampton Saints, with whom he formed a formidable reputation and rose to prominence, becoming a fan favourite. He has played internationally for Tonga. His position of choice is loose-head prop, although he sometimes plays at tight-head. He is known for his large size and fierce runs.
Salesi Finau is a Tongan former rugby footballer. He represented Tonga in both the rugby league and rugby union sides.
Tevita Hale Nai Tu'uhoko, often known simply as Hale T-Pole or Hale T Pole, is a Tongan rugby union footballer who plays as a flanker or number eight for the Ricoh Black Rams in the Top League in Japan. He has also played internationally for Tonga and the Pacific Islanders.
Fetu'u Moana Vainikolo is a Tongan rugby union player who for the Utah Warriors in Major League Rugby (MLR). His regular playing position is Wing.
Latu Makaafi, also spelt as Latu Maka'afi, is a Tongan rugby union flanker and Number 8 who plays for Hull having previously been at Coventry.
Sila Puafisi is a Tongan international rugby union player. He previously played for Glasgow Warriors.
Andrew Bulumakau is a Scottish Professional rugby union player who plays Coventry in the RFU Championship. He was born in Fiji but was raised up in Scotland. He previously competed for Gloucester Rugby where he was dual-registered with Cinderford He made a name for himself when he played in his first JP Morgan 7s in 2013 for Gloucester Rugby and helped them win their first ever JP Morgan 7s title in 2013.
Jack Ram is a Tongan professional rugby union footballer. He plays for New England Free Jacks of Major League Rugby (MLR).
Siosiua Halanukonuka is a Tongan rugby union player. He plays in the prop position for the France side Perpignan. Halanukonuka also represents Tonga at international level.
Vaea Tangitau Lapota Fifita is a Tongan professional rugby union player who plays as a flanker for United Rugby Championship club Scarlets and the Tonga national team.
Paula Mark Ngauamo is a professional rugby union player who plays as a hooker for Top 14 club Castres. Born in New Zealand, he represents Tonga at international level after qualifying on ancestry grounds.
Salesi Halaleva Lapota Fifita is a Tongan professional rugby union player who plays as a lock for Top 14 club Oyonnax Rugby and the Tonga national team.
Tanginoa Palu Halaifonua is a Tongan professional rugby union player.
References
- ↑ "1st Team | Players & Coaches | Rugby | Gloucester Rugby | Official Site : Players & Coaches Index : Senior Squad | Coaching Staff". Archived from the original on 2015-05-10. Retrieved 2014-12-16.
- ↑ https://hullrugbyunion.com/2023/06/22/mike-delighted-to-bring-experienced-duo-in/
- ↑ "Gloucester sign Tonga versatile back David Halanifonua". Gloucester Rugby. 4 December 2014.
- ↑ "David Halaifonua international debut for Tonga". ESPN scrum. 13 June 2009. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
- ↑ "David Halaifonua's move from Gloucester Rugby to Coventry confirmed". Gloucestershire Live. 26 April 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
- ↑ "Scottish sign big hitting Tongan David Halaifonua". London Scottish Rugby. 2020-07-08. Retrieved 2020-07-08.