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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.
Lolagi Visinia is a rugby union player, who currently plays as a wing or fullback for Auckland in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition. He was born and raised in New Zealand, but has represented both New Zealand and Manu Samoa internationally.
Ereatara Enari is a rugby union player, who currently plays as a halfback for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby and for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition. He was born and raised in New Zealand, but has represented Manu Samoa internationally, for which he is eligible due to his Samoan heritage.
Sione Havili Talitui is a Tongan rugby union player who plays as a flanker for Tasman in the Bunnings NPC, Super Rugby club Moana Pasifika and the Tongan national team.
Danny Toala is a professional rugby union player, who currently plays as a midfield back or fullback for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby and for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition. He was born and raised in New Zealand, but has represented Manu Samoa internationally, for which he is eligible due to his Samoan heritage.
Isileli J. Tuʻungafasi is a Tongan born New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays for Northland in the Bunnings NPC. He previously played for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. His position is prop. He is the brother of Ofa Tuʻungafasi, another rugby union player.
Samiuela Moli is New Zealand born Tongan rugby union player who plays for Tasman in the Bunnings NPC and Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. His position is Hooker. Born in New Zealand, he represents Tonga at international level after qualifying on ancestry grounds.
Tamaiti Patariki Thomas Williams is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a prop for Canterbury in the National Provincial Championship competition, the Crusaders in the Super Rugby Pacific competition, and at international level for the Māori All Blacks and the New Zealand All Blacks.
Moana Pasifika is a rugby union team made up of players from various Pacific Island nations as well as New Zealand or Australian born players of Pasifika heritage, including Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands.
Sosefo Losino 'Apikotoa is a rugby union player, who currently plays as a prop for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition and for Anthem Rugby Carolina in Major League Rugby (MLR). He previously played for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. He was born and raised in New Zealand, but represents Tonga internationally, for which he is eligible due to his Tongan descent.
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.
Neria Fomai is a rugby union player, who currently plays as a centre or wing for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition and for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. He was born and raised in New Zealand, but has represented Manu Samoa – for which he is eligible due to his Samoan heritage – both in the fifteen-a-side form of the game and rugby sevens.
William L. Havili is a New Zealand born Tongan rugby union player who plays as a first five-eighth for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby and Tasman in the Bunnings NPC.
Lincoln McClutchie is a New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays as a first five-eighth for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition and San Diego Legion in Major League 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.
'Api Kakalaia Solomone Funaki is a Tongan rugby union player, who currently plays as a loose forward for Dragons RFC in the United Rugby Championship and European Rugby Challenge Cup. He previously played for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby and Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition. He represents Tonga internationally.
Josh Kaifa is a New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays as a loose forward for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition. He previously played – as an injury replacement – for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby and Zebre Parma in the United Rugby Championship.
Aisea Halo is a Tongan rugby union player, who plays for Moana Pasifika and North Harbour. His preferred position is scrum-half.
Thomas Maka is an Australian rugby union player, of Tongan heritage, who plays for Moana Pasifika. His preferred position is hooker.
References
- ↑ "Variety of pitches brings out talent". 21 October 2003. ISSN 1170-0777 . Retrieved 10 June 2019.
- ↑ www.vcsnet.co.nz, VCS Websites (NZ)-Lower Hutt and Wellington. "Augustine Joseph Leger | New Zealand Rugby History". www.rugbyhistory.co.nz. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ↑ "Augustine Joseph Leger". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
- ↑ "Moana Pasifika name strong coaching line up for inaugural Under 20s team". Moana Pasifika. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2024.