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The Tonga national rugby union team represents Tonga 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.
Rodger Siaosi Toutai Kefu is a Tongan professional rugby union coach and former player who has been coaching the Tonga national team since 2016.
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.
Finau Maka started his playing career for Auckland Rugby Union and NZ age group teams. He played over 50 games for Auckland NPC Team and the Hurricanes, Blues and Highlanders before leaving to play for the Stade Toulousain club in French Top 14. Whilst at Toulouse he helped them win the 2003, 2005 and 2010 Heineken Cups, as a replacement in 2003 and starting in the 2005 final. He played in two Rugby World Cups for Tonga and was one of the stars of the 2007 Rugby World Cup. In 2011 he led his country to beat France in the biggest upset in Rugby World Cup history. France went on to almost beat the All Blacks in the final.
Viliami Sikalamu "Sika" Manu is a former professional rugby league footballer who played as a second-row forward for Tonga and New Zealand at international level, being a member of the World Cup winning Kiwi team who beat Australia in the 2008 World Cup Final.
Leeson Ah Mau is a former professional rugby league footballer, who has represented both Samoa and New Zealand at international level.
The 2019 Rugby World Cup, was the ninth edition of the Rugby World Cup, the quadrennial world championship for men's rugby union teams. It was hosted in Japan from 20 September to 2 November in 12 venues all across the country. The opening match was played at Ajinomoto Stadium in Chōfu, Tokyo, with the final match being held at International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama. This was the first time that the tournament had taken place in Asia and outside the traditional Tier 1 rugby nations.
Siuatonga Likiliki, also known by the nickname of "Tonga", is a Tonga international rugby league footballer who plays as a centre and winger for the Burleigh Bears in the Queensland Cup. He previously played for the New Zealand Warriors and Newcastle Knights in the NRL.
Sona Taumalolo is a former professional rugby union player. He played at prop for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic Mitre 10 Cup competition; the Chiefs in Super Rugby; several French clubs; and the Tonga national team. He retired at the end of the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup season.
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Tukulua Lokotui is a rugby union footballer who played at lock for Béziers. Lokotui played for Tonga at the 2011 and the 2015 Rugby World Cup squads.
Opeti Fonua is a Tongan rugby union player who plays number 8 for SU Agen, having transferred from Newcastle Falcons. Fonua is known for his immense size and strength, but also for his surprisingly high levels of speed and agility for his size, although in the past he has been listed as lighter. A highly physical player, both with and without the ball, Fonua is known for big tackles and strong carries.
Sosaia Feki, anglicised Josiah Feki, also known by the nickname of "The PM" is a Tonga international rugby league footballer who plays on the wing for Western Suburbs Red Devils in the Illawarra Rugby League.
Maama Vaipulu is a New Zealand rugby player of Tongan descent. He represented Counties Manukau and the Chiefs in New Zealand and Tonga on an international level. Currently he plays in the number 8 and occasionally flanker position for the France based Top 14 side, Castres.
The 2015 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup was the tenth edition of the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup, an annual international rugby union tournament. The 2015 title was contested between the Tier 2 nations of Canada, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Tonga and the United States.
Solomone Kata is a professional dual-code rugby footballer who plays as a wing for Gallagher Premiership club Leicester Tigers and the Tonga national team.
Joseph Ofahengaue, is a Tonga international rugby league professional footballer who plays as a lock and prop for the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League (NRL).
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.
References
- ↑ "Tonga mix youth and experience for RWC 2015". rugbyworldcup.com. 18 August 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
- ↑ Lucas, Dan (15 September 2015). "Rugby World Cup preview No13: Tonga". theguardian.com. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
