-
Nili Latu (L) of Tonga celebrates his teams win against Samoa at the 2007 World Cup in France - Source: Photosport
Tonga (Pool A)
Best World Cup Performance: Pool Stage (1987, 1995, 1999,
2003, 2007)
Last World Cup: Pool Stage
Current IRB Ranking: 12
TAB Odds: $2,000
World Cup Pedigree
Before the 2007 World Cup in France, Tonga had stuttered
through four tournaments only winning two games. In fact their most
newsworthy moment came in their first World Cup win when Cote
D'Ivoire winger Max Brito was paralysed in an unfortunate incident
in a pool match during the 1995 tournament in South Africa. But it
was in the 2007 World Cup that Tonga announced itself on the world
stage. After narrowly beating the USA and Samoa in pool play, the
small Pacific Island nation very nearly pulled off the biggest
upset in World Cup history before succumbing 30-25 to eventual
champions South Africa in the match of the tournament. However,
Tonga ended up finishing third in their pool and failed to advance
to the quarter-finals when they lost to England in another
hard-fought match.
Road to the World Cup
Qualified on virtue of being a top 12 ranked nation.
Recent Form
In June's Churchill Cup, Tonga trampled the USA 44-13
before they were destroyed by the England Saxons 41-14 in a virtual
semi-final. Of most concern was the dominance the second-string
England team had at scrum time as Tonga conceded two penalty tries.
Tonga then ended a disappointing tournament losing the Plate final
27-14 to Italy A. In this year's Pacific Nation Cup, Tonga beat
Island rivals Fiji and Samoa in-between suffering a shock loss to
Japan.
Star Players
Viliami Iongi -
The winger showed off the form that has
seen him make the Brumbies Academy in Tonga's opening Churchill Cup
win over the US Eagles by scoring four tries. The flying
three-quarter has yet to play at Super Rugby level but should
graduate to the Southern Hemisphere's premier competition in the
not too distant future.
Viliami Ma'afu - The bulldozing number eight was a
star for the Blues in the 2010 Super Rugby season and just when his
career began to take off in New Zealand he shifted to Japan.
Nevertheless, with his straight-up-the-guts attitude and high work
rate, he is the perfect foil for a Tongan pack that has struggled
at times on the international stage. Ma'afu does have a subtle side
however; he has also represented Tonga in tennis and golf.
Something you probably didn't know
The Tongan team is nicknamed Ikale Tahi which means Sea
Eagles.
A Kiwi Connection
You better believe it. Taniela Moa, Siale Piutau, Soane
Tonga'uiha and Fetu'u Vainikolo have all played at Super Rugby
level in New Zealand and their coach, Isitola Maka, played four
Tests for the All Blacks during the 1998 season.
Chances of winning the World Cup
Minimal. With a number of Tonga's best players plying
their trade in the UK and Europe, the Pacific nation very rarely
gets to play their best XV. As a result, combinations are often not
where they should be come World Cup time. But Tonga remain one of
the most physical teams in world rugby and showed in the 2007
edition in France that they have the passion to be competitive with
anyone. However for all their raw talent, Tonga is deficient in the
set-pieces, and with the All Blacks and France in their pool, a
quarter-final place looks a bridge too far.
Tonga's World Cup Squad
Aleki Lutui, Ephraim Taukafa, Aloisio Ma'asi, Alisona
Taumalolo, Kisi Pulu, Soane Tonga'uiha, Halani Aulika, Taufa'ao
Filise, Kelekolio Hehea, Sione Timani, Tukulua Lokotui, Joseph
Tu'ineau, Sione Kalamafoni, Finau Maka (captain), Viliami Ma'afu,
Samiu Vahafolau, Sione Vaiomo'unga, Taniela Moa, Thomas Palu,
Samisoni Fisilau, Kurt Morath, Siale Piutau, Alipate Fatafehi,
Andrew Ma'ilei, Sukanaivalu Hufanga, William Helu, Fetu'u
Vainikolo, Alaska Taufa, Viliame Iongi, Vungakoto Lilo.
Tonga's World Cup History
1987 World Cup New Zealand/Australia
24 May 1987: Canada beat Tonga 37-4 in Napier (Pool
1)
29 May 1987: Wales beat Tonga 29-16 in Palmerston North (Pool
1)
03 Jun 1987: Ireland beat Tonga 32-9 in Brisbane (Pool 1)
1991 Rugby World Cup UK/Ireland/France
-Didn't qualify
1995 World Cup South Africa
26 May 1995: France beat Tonga 38-10 in Pretoria (Pool
D)
30 May 1995: Scotland beat Tonga 41-5 in Pretoria (Pool D)
03 Jun 1995: Tonga beat Cote D'Ivoire 29-11 in Rustenburg (Pool
D)
1999 World Cup UK/Ireland/France
03 Oct 1999: New Zealand beat Tonga 45-9 in Bristol
(Pool B)
10 Oct 1999: Tonga beat Italy 28-25 in Leicester (Pool B)
15 Oct 1999: England beat Tonga 101-10 in London (Pool B)
2003 World Cup Australia
15 Oct 2003: Italy beat Tonga 36-12 in Canberra (Pool
D)
19 Oct 2003: Wales beat Tonga 27-20 in Canberra (Pool D)
24 Oct 2003: New Zealand beat Tonga 91-7 in Brisbane (Pool D)
29 Oct 2003: Canada beat Tonga 24-7 in Wollongong (Pool D)
2007 World Cup France/UK
12 Sep 2007: Tonga beat USA 25-15 in Montpellier (Pool
A)
16 Sep 2007: Tonga beat Samoa 19-15 in Montpellier (Pool A)
22 Sep 2007: South Africa beat Tonga 30-25 in Lens (Pool A)
28 Sep 2007: England beat Tonga 36-20 in Paris (Pool A)
Most Appearances: Inoke Afeaki, Pierre Hola,
Ephraim Taukafa, Viliami Vaki - 8 matches
Highest Point Scorer: Pierre Hola (8 Matches
- 61 points - 2 tries, 9 conversions, 11 penalties)
Top Try Scorers: Pierre Hola, Sukanaivalu Hufanga,
Sateki Tu'ipulotu, Viliami Vaki - 2 tries
