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Tonga
The Tonga rugby team - or the 'Ikale Tahi' (Sea Eagles) - are Tonga's international rugby union side. They compete in the Pacific Nations Cup, the World Rugby Nations Cup and the Rugby World Cup.
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International
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World Rugby Nations Cup
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World Ranking
Tonga are currently 19th in the World Rugby Rankings. Their highest ever ranking was 9th in June 2012.
Ranking Over Time
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2003
2015
2026
Tonga Matches
Sat 18 Jul, 2026
Sat 2 Oct, 2027
Fri 8 Oct, 2027
Tonga Rugby Team Players
Tonga Forwards
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Tonga Backs
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Tonga Rugby Team
Rugby union was first introduced to Tonga by sailors and missionaries in the 1920s, with the official establishment of the international side in 1923. The Tonga rugby team then played their first game in 1924 in a test match against Fiji, beating them 9-6. In the decades following this, Tonga's international games were mainly against nearby Pacific nations and it was only in the late 60s and early 70s they travelled to Australasia and Europe.
These tours were often quite intense and the Tonga rugby team developed a reputation for being quite an aggressive side. However, this wasn't to the detriment of their rugby prowess, as the side was invited to compete in the first Rugby World Cup in 1987, where they finished at the pool stage.
To date, Tonga has yet to place higher at a Rugby World Cup tournament, but they have featured in all competitions except the 1991 tournament. This has seen some memorable performances from the side, such as the surprising 19-13 win over France in 2011.
The Tonga rugby team has seen its fair share of quality players in the past. Popular flanker Nili Latu - who was once Tonga's most-capped player - being one example. There's also record try scorer Sonatane Takulua and all-time leading point scorer and fly-half Kurt Morath.
Much like other Pacific nations, the Tonga rugby team typically perform a war dance before each game, this is called the Sipi Tau.
FAQs
When was the Tonga rugby team founded?
The Tonga rugby team was founded in 1924. In that year, the team faced Fiji in their first international fixture. They won the match 9-6.
What is the Tonga rugby team’s biggest win?
Tonga’s biggest win came back in March 2003. They defeated South Korea 119-0 in Nukuʻalofa.
What is the Tonga rugby team’s biggest defeat?
Tonga have been defeated 102-0 twice in their history. On both occasions, they were beaten heavily by New Zealand in Auckland.
Have Tonga ever appeared at the Rugby World Cup?
Yes, Tonga have appeared at nine editions of the Rugby World Cup. They have only missed one tournament: the 1991 Rugby World Cup. Sadly though, they’ve never progressed past the pool stage.
Who is Tonga's record appearance maker?
Tonga’s record appearance maker is Sonatane Takulua. He’s still very much in his prime and will be looking to add to his record in the coming months and years.
Who has scored the most tries for Tonga?
Sonatane Takulua is Tonga’s record try-scorer.
Who has scored the most points for Tonga?
Kurt Morath has scored the most points for Tonga. He scored 340 points for his country between 2009 and 2021.
