Tonga
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)ʻIkale Tahi (The Sea Eagles)
EmblemWhite dove
UnionTonga Rugby Union
Head coachToutai Kefu
CaptainSonatane Takulua
Most capsNili Latu (54)
Top scorerKurt Morath (340)
Top try scorerFetuʻu Vainikolo (18)
Home stadiumTeufaiva Sport Stadium
First colours
Second colours
World Rugby ranking
Current16 (as of 2 June 2022)
Highest9 (2011, 2012)
Lowest20 (2005, 2006)
First international
 Tonga 9–6 Fiji 
(Nuku'alofa, Tonga; 25 August 1924)
Biggest win
 Tonga 119–0 South Korea 
(Nuku'alofa, Tonga; 22 March 2003)
Biggest defeat
 New Zealand 102–0 Tonga 
(Auckland, New Zealand; 16 June 2000)
 New Zealand 102–0 Tonga 
(Auckland, New Zealand; 3 July 2021)
World Cup
Appearances9 (First in 1987)
Best resultPool stage (1987, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023)

The Tonga national rugby union team (Tongan: timi feohi ʻakapulu fakafonua ʻa Tonga) represents the Tonga Rugby Union in men's international rugby union. The team is nicknamed ʻIkale Tahi (Sea Eagles). 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.

History

Rugby was brought to the region in the early 20th century by sailors and missionaries, and the Tonga Rugby Football Union was formed in late 1923. Tonga beat Fiji 9–6 in their first test in 1924 played in the capital Nukuʻalofa. However, Tonga lost the second test 14–3 and drew the decider 0–0.

Between 1924 and 1938 Tonga and Fiji played three test series every alternate year. Matches between the two Pacific nations were hard fought; many have claimed that the ancient feuding wars between the Islanders were transplanted onto the rugby field. Troubles during the third Test of Fiji's 1928 tour to Tonga forced the game to be abandoned with Tonga leading 11–8. In 1954 Tonga played host to a touring Western Samoa.

Tonga beat New Zealand Maori[1] in 1969, but had to wait until 1973 before they played their second test match, a 30–12 defeat against Australia in Sydney. They got their revenge when they beat Australia in Ballymore, Brisbane 16–11, scoring four tries to two in June 1973. The following year they traveled to the Arms Park for a non-cap international against Wales, a game that ended in a 26–7 defeat.

The first Tongan tour to Great Britain was in 1974, when they played 10 games, including those in Wales against East Wales, Llanelli, North Wales, Newport, West Wales and a Wales XV. The only tour victory was by 18–13 in the opener against East Wales. The 'tests' were lost by 44–8 to a Scotland XV and by 26–7 to the Wales XV.

They remained a little-known quantity in Europe until 1986, when Wales embarked on a tour of Fiji, Tonga and Western Samoa. Early in the game against Tonga, Welsh flanker Mark Brown was knocked over by three Tongan forwards, leading to a mass brawl involving the entire team except Malcolm Dacey and Mark Titley. Robert Jones describes the event in his book Raising The Dragon as "the worst brawl I have ever seen on a rugby field." At the post-match dinner Jonathan Davies was asked to give a few words in Welsh and as the hosts politely applauded he described them as "the dirtiest team I have ever played against"[2][3]

Tonga were drawn to play Wales again in the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. The previous meeting, plus the decision to rest some of the leading players, led to a poor Welsh performance though they managed to win 29–16. Tonga lost its other two games to Ireland (32–9) and Canada (37–4).

They failed to qualify for the 1991 Rugby World Cup. In 1994 they won the South Pacific championship on try count and so qualified for the Super 10, in which they finished bottom of their pool with only one point.

They qualified for the 1995 World Cup ahead of Fiji on points difference. Tonga managed only two victories in the next two World Cups, against the 29–11 Côte d'Ivoire in 1995 and Italy in 1999. The win over the Côte d'Ivoire brought tragedy when Ivorian winger Max Brito was left paralyzed.

June 1999 brought a 20–16 defeat of France in Nukuʻalofa over a touring France but in 2000 they were defeated 102–0 (including 15 tries) by New Zealand.

After losing their first four matches to Fiji and Samoa, Tonga finished third in the Oceania qualifying group. As a result, they had to play home and away matches against Papua New Guinea, which they won 47–14 and 84–12, followed by a play-off against South Korea, who finished as runners-up in the Asian section. Tonga thrashed them 75–0 and 119–0.

At the 2003 Rugby World Cup Tonga lost all their games and finished bottom of their pool. Although they kept Wales to 20–27, they were again thrashed by New Zealand 91–7.

In 2007 Tonga participated in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, winning two of their pool matches and nearly defeating the eventual champions, South Africa, before losing 30–25.

Tonga achieved one of the most unexpected victories in Rugby World Cup history with their 19–14 win over France in the 2011 World Cup.[4]

On 24 November 2012, Tonga beat Scotland, at Pittodrie Stadium, 21–15 for their first victory over a traditional rugby power on a European pitch.

Sipi Tau

Like several Pacific rugby nations, Tonga has a pre-game war dance, called the Sipi Tau. It is a form of the Kailao, which was originally a war dance that was imported to Tonga from Wallis Island. It is usually performed at both public and private ceremonies.

During the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia, in Tonga's match against the All Blacks, the All Blacks began their traditional haka, and then Tonga answered to the haka through the sipi tau whilst the All Blacks were performing, bringing the teams within metres of one another just prior to kick-off.[5]

Wins against Tier 1 nations

Tonga have recorded six wins against tier 1 opposition.

30 June 1973 Australia  11–16 Tonga Tonga Australia Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane  
Try: Cole
Tindall
Pen: McGill
Report Try: Kavapalu
Latu
Mafi Pahulu
Vave
Attendance: 9,563
Referee: Australia Bob Burnett (Australia)
16 June 1999 Tonga Tonga 20–16  France Tonga Teufaiva Sport Stadium, Nukuʻalofa  
Try: Taufahema
Taumalolo (2)
Con: Sateki Tuipulotu
Pen: Sateki Tuipulotu
Report Try: Sarraméa
Con: Lamaison
Pen: Lamaison (3)
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Wales Clayton Thomas (Wales)
10 October 1999 Italy  25–28 Tonga Tonga England Welford Road, Leicester  
Try: Moscardi
Con: Domínguez
Pen: Domínguez (6)
Report Try: Fatani
Taufahema
Sateki Tuipulotu
Con: Sateki Tuipulotu (2)
Pen: Sateki Tuipulotu (2)
Drop: Sateki Tuipulotu
Attendance: 10,244
Referee: Republic of Ireland Dave McHugh (Ireland)
1 October 2011 France  14–19 Tonga Tonga New Zealand Westpac Stadium, Wellington  
Try: Clerc 80' m
Pen: Yachvili (3/3) 1', 23', 49'
Report Try: Hufanga 26' c
Con: Morath (1/1) 28'
Pen: Morath (4/8) 6', 35', 66', 72'
Attendance: 32,763
Referee: Australia Steve Walsh (Australia)
24 November 2012 Scotland  15–21 Tonga Tonga Scotland Pittodrie, Aberdeen  
Pen: Laidlaw (5/7) 10', 38', 46', 55', 61'
Report Try: Lokotui 51' c
Vainikolo 65' m
Con: Apikotoa (1/2) 52'
Pen: Apikotoa (3/5) 5', 64', 72'
Attendance: 20,306
Referee: France Mathieu Raynal (France)
26 November 2016 Italy  17–19  Tonga Italy Stadio Euganeo, Padua  
15:00 CET (UTC+1) Try: Cittadini 12' c
Allan 54' c
Con: Canna (1/1) 13'
Allan (1/1) 55'
Pen: Padovani (1/1) 77'
Report Try: Piutau 51' c
Con: Takulua (1/1) 53'
Pen: Takulua (4/5) 32', 45', 77', 80'
Attendance: 18,125
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)

Overall record

Top 20 as of 25 December 2023[6]
RankChange*TeamPoints
1 Steady South Africa094.54
2 Steady Ireland090.57
3 Steady New Zealand089.80
4 Steady France087.81
5 Steady England085.46
6 Steady Scotland083.43
7 Steady Argentina080.68
8 Steady Wales080.64
9 Steady Australia077.48
10 Steady Fiji076.38
11 Steady Italy075.93
12 Steady Japan074.27
13 Steady Portugal072.78
14 Steady Georgia072.68
15 Steady Samoa072.23
16 Steady Tonga071.57
17 Steady United States067.94
18 Steady Uruguay067.39
19 Steady Romania063.28
20 Steady Spain062.86
21 Steady Canada060.90
22 Steady Namibia060.56
23 Steady Chile060.49
24 Steady Hong Kong059.80
25 Steady Russia058.06
26 Steady  Switzerland056.29
27 Steady Netherlands055.84
28 Steady Brazil055.37
29 Steady Belgium054.58
30 Steady South Korea053.46
* Change from the previous week
Tonga's historical rankings
See or edit source data.
Source: World Rugby[6]
Graph updated to 25 December 2023

Below is table of the representative rugby matches played by a Tongan national XV at test level up until 8 October 2023.[7]

Opponent Played Won Lost Drawn Win % For Aga Diff
 Argentina20200.00%2873−45
 Australia413025.00%42167−125
 Australia A413025%71210−139
 Canada1156045.45%238254−16
 Chile2200100.00%7140+31
 Cook Islands4400100.00%28932+257
 England40400.00%36241−205
 England Saxons10100.00%1441−27
 Fiji942764328.72%12571881−624
 France624033.33%96172−76
France French Barbarians321067.00%94107-13
 Georgia725033.33%141119+22
 Hong Kong1100100.00%4422+22
 Ireland30300.00%44131−87
 Italy523040.00%82154−72
 Ivory Coast1100100.00%2911+18
 Japan1899050.00%453459−6
 Namibia2200100.00%5535+20
 New Caledonia1100100.00%583+55
 New Zealand70700.00%42519−477
 Junior All Blacks30300.00%48124−76
 Māori1248033.33%165319−154
 Papua New Guinea2200100.00%13126+105
 Portugal1100100.00%2419+5
 Romania532060%129111+18
 Samoa692738439.13%10281291−263
 Scotland615016.67%89241−152
 Scotland XV20200.00%1367−54
 Solomon Islands1100100.00%923+89
 South Korea6600100.00%46466+398
 South Africa30300.00%53153−100
 Spain2200100.00%6819+49
 Tahiti1100100.00%740+74
 Uruguay1100100.00%4319+24
 United States1091088.89%272153+119
 Wales90900.00%108301−193
 Wales XV10100.00%726−19
 Zimbabwe1100100.00%4213+29
Total315121187738.41%60347622−1588

World Cup record

Rugby World Cup Qualification
Year Round Pld W D L PF PA Squad Pos Pld W D L PF PA
New Zealand Australia 1987 Pool Stage 3 0 0 3 29 98 Squad Invited
England France Ireland Scotland Wales 1991 Did not qualify 3rd 3 1 0 2 64 62
South Africa 1995 Pool Stage 3 1 0 2 44 90 Squad 1st 2 1 0 1 34 26
Wales 1999 Pool Stage 3 1 0 2 47 171 Squad 4th 7 2 0 5 317 241
Australia 2003 Pool Stage 4 0 0 4 46 178 Squad 3rd 8 4 0 4 398 178
France 2007 Pool Stage 4 2 0 2 89 96 Squad 3rd 7 3 0 4 329 136
New Zealand 2011 Pool Stage 4 2 0 2 80 98 Squad Automatically qualified
England 2015 Pool Stage 4 1 0 3 70 130 Squad Automatically qualified
Japan 2019 Pool Stage 4 1 0 3 67 105 Squad 2nd 4 1 0 3 68 93
France 2023 Pool Stage 4 1 0 3 96 177 Squad 2nd 4 2 0 2 126 111
Total Pool Stage 33 9 0 24 568 1143 35 14 0 21 1336 847
  Champions    Runners-up    Third place    Fourth place Home venue

Pacific Nations Cup

Tonga previously competed in the Pacific Tri-Nations winning three tournaments. The Pacific Nations Cup replaced the Tri-Nations tournament in 2006. Tonga have yet to win a tournament.

TournamentWonDrawnLostTonga finish
20062024th / 5
20071045th / 6
20081046th / 6
20090045th / 5
20100034th / 4
20112012nd / 4
20121023rd / 4
20132023rd / 5
20140113rd / 3
20152013rd / 6
20160023rd / 3
20171012nd / 3
20181012nd / 4
20191025th / 6
20220034th / 4
20230034th / 4
Total141360 titles

Players

Current squad

On 21 August, Tonga announced their 33-player squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Head Coach: Australia Toutai Kefu

  • Caps Updated: 21 August 2023
Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Siua Maile Hooker (1997-02-18) 18 February 1997 15 Italy Benetton
Sam Moli Hooker (1998-12-24) 24 December 1998 16 New Zealand Moana Pasifika
Paul Ngauamo Hooker (1990-02-19) 19 February 1990 31 France Castres
Joe Apikotoa Prop (1996-07-18) 18 July 1996 5 New Zealand Moana Pasifika
Siegfried Fisi'ihoi Prop (1987-06-08) 8 June 1987 26 France Pau
Feao Fotuaika Prop (1993-04-23) 23 April 1993 5 France Lyon
Tau Koloamatangi Prop (1995-01-03) 3 January 1995 9 New Zealand Moana Pasifika
Paula Latu Prop (1996-02-14) 14 February 1996 2 New Zealand Southland
Ben Tameifuna Prop (1991-08-30) 30 August 1991 32 France Bordeaux
Adam Coleman Lock (1991-10-07) 7 October 1991 3 France Bordeaux
Leva Fifita Lock (1989-07-29) 29 July 1989 33 Ireland Connacht
Sam Lousi Lock (1991-07-20) 20 July 1991 16 Wales Scarlets
Steve Mafi Lock (1989-12-09) 9 December 1989 41 France Oyonnax
Semisi Paea Lock (1999-04-17) 17 April 1999 7 United States New England Free Jacks
Vaea Fifita Back row (1992-06-17) 17 June 1992 10 Wales Scarlets
Sione Havili Talitui Back row (1998-01-25) 25 January 1998 14 New Zealand Crusaders
Solomone Funaki Back row (1994-04-25) 25 April 1994 14 New Zealand Moana Pasifika
Tanginoa Halaifonua Back row (1996-09-20) 20 September 1996 15 France Stade Français
Sione Vailanu Back row (1995-01-27) 27 January 1995 15 Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Manu Paea Scrum-half (2001-09-17) 17 September 2001 10 New Zealand Moana Pasifika
Augustine Pulu Scrum-half (1990-01-04) 4 January 1990 6 Japan Hino Red Dolphins
Sonatane Takulua (c) Scrum-half (1991-01-11) 11 January 1991 57 France Agen
William Havili Fly-half (1998-09-09) 9 September 1998 14 New Zealand Moana Pasifika
Otumaka Mausia Fly-half (1997-04-22) 22 April 1997 11 Australia Western Sydney Two Blues
Pita Ahki Centre (1992-09-24) 24 September 1992 7 France Toulouse
Malakai Fekitoa Centre (1992-05-10) 10 May 1992 10 Italy Benetton
George Moala Centre (1990-11-05) 5 November 1990 6 France Clermont
Afusipa Taumoepeau Centre (1990-01-26) 26 January 1990 17 France Perpignan
Fine Inisi Wing (1998-05-19) 19 May 1998 8 New Zealand Moana Pasifika
Solomone Kata Wing (1994-12-03) 3 December 1994 12 England Leicester Tigers
Kyren Taumoefolau Wing (2003-05-08) 8 May 2003 5 New Zealand Moana Pasifika
Anzelo Tuitavuki Wing (1998-10-10)10 October 1998 (aged 24) 8 New Zealand Moana Pasifika
Charles Piutau Fullback (1991-10-31) 31 October 1991 8 Japan Shizuoka Blue Revs

Coaches

Current coaching staff

The current coaching staff of the Tongan national team:[8]

Name Nationality Role
Lano Fonua TONManager
Toutai Kefu AUSHead coach
Grant Doorey AUSAssistant coach (Defence)
John McKee NZLAssistant coach (Attack)
Semisi Fonua TONStrength & Conditioning coach
Alejandro Pastor ARGStrength & Conditioning coach
Dr. Penisimani Poloniati TONTeam doctor
LeeVan Santos NZLHead Physiotherapist
Siosaia Vakasiuola TONPhysiotherapist
Joh Fifita TONPerformance Analyst
Declan Oorloff AUSPerformance Analyst

Individual all-time records

Most caps

# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Won Lost Draw %
1Sonatane TakuluaScrum-half2014–present5550527817443602133141.66
2Nili LatuFlanker2006–2017484712850101928140.62
3Vunga LiloFullback2007–20184441387123701925043.18
4Siale PiutauWing2011–2019434123261001725140.69
5Steve MafiLock2010–present4231111020002022048.42
6Elisi VunipolaFly-half1990–2005414015082201526036.58
7Kurt MorathFly-half2009–2021403463402487801822047.36
8Pierre HolaFly-half1998–20093938132212684231920048.72
Benhur KivaluNumber 81998–2005393544080001424137.17
10Aleki LutuiHooker1999–2015383082550001225132.89

Last updated: Tonga vs Romania, 8 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Most tries

# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop
1Sonatane TakuluaScrum-half2014–present555052781744360
Fetuʻu VainikoloWing2011–2016282718517000
3Josh TaumaloloCentre1996–200726233118146120
4Pierre HolaFly-half1998–2009393813221268423
Vunga LiloFullback2007–2018444138712370
6Fepikou TatafuCentre1996–2002232125010000
7Viliame IongiWing2011–201621156459000
Benhur KivaluNumber 81998–200539354459000
Telusa VeainuWing2015–202214140459000
10Elisi VunipolaFly-half1990–200541401508220

Last updated: Tonga vs Romania, 8 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Leading point scorers

# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop
1Kurt MorathFly-half2009–202140346340248780
2Pierre HolaFly-half1998–2009393813221268423
3Sonatane TakuluaScrum-half2014–present555052781744350
4Sateki Tu'ipulotuFullback1993–200320191190533321
5Fangatapu ApikotoaFly-half2004–2014302010147240190
6Josh TaumaloloCentre1996–200726233118146120
7Kusitafu TongaFullback1996–200113121114132150
8Vunga LiloFullback2007–2018444138712370
9William HaviliFly-half2022-present1414085122120
Fetuʻu VainikoloWing2011–2016282718517000

Last updated: Tonga vs Romania, 8 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Most points in a match

# Player Pos Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Opposition Venue Date
1Pierre HolaCentre4421700 South KoreaTonga Nuku'alofa22 March 2003
2Fangatapu ApikotoaFly-half3021000 South KoreaNew Zealand Henderson10 February 2007
3Sateki Tu'ipulotuFullback271820 South KoreaSouth Korea Seoul4 May 1999
4Benhur KivaluFly-half255000 South KoreaTonga Nuku'alofa22 March 2003
5Pierre HolaFullback240911 Papua New GuineaTonga Nuku'alofa7 December 2002
6Gustavo TongaFullback231900 Cook IslandsTonga Nuku'alofa5 July 1997
7Viliame IongiCentre204000 United StatesEngland Esher8 June 2011
Kurt MorathFly-half200440 FijiFiji Lautoka2 July 2011
Sonatane TakuluaScrum-half201330 SamoaTonga Nuku'alofa1 July 2017
103 players on 19 points

Last updated: Tonga vs Romania, 8 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Most tries in a match

# Player Pos Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Opposition Venue Date
1Benhur KivaluNumber 8255000 South KoreaTonga Nuku'alofa22 March 2003
2Viliame IongiWing204000 United StatesEngland Esher8 June 2011
3Josh TaumaloloFly-half153000 Cook IslandsTonga Nuku'alofa5 July 1997
Josh TaumaloloFullback173100 GeorgiaGeorgia (country) Tbilisi28 March 1999
Jonathan KoloiFlanker153000 South KoreaSouth Korea Seoul4 May 1999
Viliami HakaloWing153000 Cook IslandsCook Islands Raratonga24 June 2006
Sonatane TakuluaScrum-half153000 Hong KongAustralia Sunshine Coast23 July 2022
849 players on 2 tries

Last updated: Tonga vs Romania, 8 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Most matches as captain

# Player Pos Span Mat Won Lost Draw  % Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop
1Nili LatuFlanker2006–2016421526136.90234010
2Siale PiutauWing2015–201919910047.36224100
Sonatane TakuluaScrum-half2017–present19613025.00808880
4Inoke AfeakiLock2001–20031248033.33153000
5Fakahau ValuFlanker1977–19871101100.00123000
6Aleki LutuiHooker2004–2011918011.1151000
Elisi VunipolaFly-half1999–2001945044.44153000
8Sione Mafi PahuluNumber 81973–1975716014.28153010
9Siaosi AtiolaNumber 81987–1990614125.0041000
10Mana OtaiNumber 81995532060.0051000
Fe'ao VunipolaHooker1994–1998523040.0000000

Last updated: Tonga vs Romania, 8 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Youngest players

# Player Pos Age Opposition Venue Date
1Elisi VunipolaFly-half17 years and 292 days FijiTonga Nukualofa24 March 1990
2Viliami Hakalo(Wing)18 years and 182 days JapanJapan Fukuoka4 June 2006
3Sione Kalamafoni(Flanker)18 years and 268 days South KoreaNew Zealand Henderson10 February 2007
4Soane HaveaScrum-half18 years and 292 days New ZealandNew Zealand North Shore City16 June 2000
5Semi TaupeaafeWing18 years and 317 days FijiFiji Suva11 June 1991
6Sinali LatuNumber 818 years and 320 days FijiFiji Suva7 July 1984
7Unuoi VaʻenukuCentre19 years and 51 days FranceSouth Africa Pretoria26 May 1995
8Pita AlatiniCentre19 years and 119 days SamoaTonga Nuku'alofa8 July 1995
9Tevita 'Ahoafi(Scrum-half)19 years and 171 days Australia AAustralia Sydney25 May 2007
10Isi TapuelueluCentre19 years and 176 days FijiTonga Nuku'alofa24 March 1990

Last updated: Tonga vs Romania, 8 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Oldest players

# Player Pos Age Opposition Venue Date
1Fakahau ValuFlanker37 years and 362 days IrelandAustralia Brisbane3 June 1987
2Polutele Tu'ihalamakaLock37 years and 249 days CanadaAustralia Napier24 May 1987
3Aleki Lutui(Hooker)37 years and 95 days ArgentinaEngland Leicester4 October 2015
4Kurt MorathFly-Half36 years and 358 days EnglandEngland London6 November 2021
5Joe TuineauLock36 years and 302 days SamoaFiji Suva16 June 2018
6Hale T-PoleLock36 years and 152 days NamibiaEngland Exeter29 September 2015
7Siegfried Fisi'ihoiProp36 years and 122 days RomaniaFrance Lille8 October 2023
8Elvis TaioneHooker36 years and 76 days CanadaFiji Lautoka8 August 2019
9Rudi KapeliHooker35 years and 311 days AustraliaAustralia Brisbane4 July 1993
10Tukulua LokotuiLock35 years and 282 days New ZealandEngland Newcastle9 October 2015

Last updated: Tonga vs Romania, 8 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Kit history

Tonga usually wears a home kit consisting of a red shirt, white shorts and red socks and an away kit with the reversed colours. In the 1999 Rugby World Cup, Tonga wore an all-red home kit. Since 2007, Tongan traditional designs, similar to the ones found on the tapa cloths, were incorporated on the jersey design.

Kit manufacturers:

Period Kit manufacturer
1974–1980Umbro
1980–1999Canterbury
2000–2002Carisbrook
2003–2005Sekem
2005–2008KooGa
2008Samurai Sportswear^a
2008–2010Aoniu^b
2011–2012KooGa/BLK
2012–2015Kukri
2016–2020Mizuno
2021Siomai Print
2021-presentForce XV
  • ^a Tonga wore Samurai Sportswear kits in the matches against Maori All Blacks and Japan in 2008
  • ^b Tonga wore kits manufactured by the local brand Aoniu in the 2008 end-of-year international tours.
1987–1995 Home
1987–1995 Away
1999 RWC Home
2003 Home
2003 Away
2007 Home
2009 Home
2011 Home
2015 Home
2015 Away
2017 Home
2017 Away
2019 Home
2019 Away

Coaches

Name Span Mat Won Lost Draw %W
New Zealand David Mullins[9] 1969–1974
Tonga Kelepi Tupou[10]1983
Tonga Fred Wolfgramm[11]1985
Tonga Prince Mailefihi1986–1987
Tonga Peseti Ma'afu[12][13]1991
Tonga Sione Taumoepeau[14]1994-1995
Tonga Fakahau Valu1995
Tonga Rev. Tevita Latailakepa1998
Tonga Polutele Tuʻihalamaka1999
New Zealand David Waterston1999–2000[15]
Tonga Vaita Ueleni2000–2001
New Zealand Jim Love2001–200319613031.58
Australia Willie Ofahengaue2004–200580800.00
Australia Adam Leach2006–2007752071.43
Tonga Quddus Fielea2007–201016511031.25
New Zealand Isitolo Maka2010–20111477050.00
Australia Toutai Kefu (caretaker)2012312033.33
Tonga Mana Otai2012–2015241112147.91
Australia Toutai Kefu2016–present511532029.41

Notable former players

See also

Notes

  1. "New Zealand Maori vs Tonga - Match Statistics - Tonga tour in New Zealand 1969 1969 - 15 Aug, 1969 - ESPN".
  2. "The Head Hunters: Tongan rugby". BBC. 10 August 2007. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  3. "The day Wales' hardest rugby players were left sprawled on the floor and running for safety". Wales Online. 16 November 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  4. "Rugby World Cup 2011: France go through despite shock loss to Tonga". Guardian. 1 October 2011. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  5. Haka and Sipi Tau set Lang Park alight ABC
  6. 1 2 "Men's World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  7. Tonga rugby stats
  8. "Tonga Rugby's Coaching Staff". rnz.co.nz. 15 October 2021.
  9. "Fr David Mullins SM". www.maristmessenger.co.nz. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  10. Tonga 1979 tour of New Zealand squad on The Tonga Chronicle
  11. "2019 Rugby World Cup Ikale Tahi Mate Maa Tonga Supporters Page" via Facebook.
  12. Fiji wins spot Nuku'alofa Times, 12 July 2017
  13. Photo of the Tonga 1991 squad on The Tonga Chronicle
  14. Rugby Union: Preview of the 16 nations in this summer's World Cup
  15. "Tonga 22 Fiji 25, 2000 Epson Cup - Teivovo.com". fijirugbyunion.com. Retrieved 29 April 2021.

Sources

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