The Tonga national rugby union team () represents Tonga in men's international rugby union. The team is nicknamed ʻIkale Tahi (Sea Eagles) and is governed by the Tonga Rugby Union. Like their Polynesian neighbours, the Tongans precede 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 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"
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 paralysed.
June 1999 brought a 20–16 defeat of France in Nukualofa 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.
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 New Zealand, the All Blacks began their traditional haka, and then Tonga answered to the haka through the Sipi Tau while the All Blacks were performing, bringing the teams within metres of one another just prior to kick-off.Haka and Sipi Tau set Lang Park alight ABC
Performance
Overall record
Below is table of the representative rugby matches played by a Tongan national XV at test level up until 17 October 2025.Tonga rugby stats
Opponent Played Won Lost Drawn Win % For Aga Diff 2 0 2 0 0.00% 28 73 −45 4 1 3 0 % 42 167 −125 4 1 3 0 % 71 210 −139 13 7 6 0 % 303 295 +8 2 2 0 0 % 71 40 +31 4 4 0 0 % 289 32 +257 4 0 4 0 0.00% 36 241 −205 1 0 1 0 0.00% 14 41 −27 96 27 66 3 % 1,286 1,963 −677 6 2 4 0 % 96 172 −76 French Barbarians 3 2 1 0 % 94 107 -13 7 2 5 0 % 141 119 +22 1 1 0 0 % 44 22 +22 3 0 3 0 0.00% 44 131 −87 6 2 4 0 % 96 190 −94 1 1 0 0 % 29 11 +18 20 9 11 0 % 493 542 −49 2 2 0 0 % 55 35 +20 1 1 0 0 100.00% 58 3 +55 7 0 7 0 0.00% 42 519 −477 3 0 3 0 0.00% 48 124 −76 12 4 8 0 % 165 319 −154 2 2 0 0 % 131 26 +105 1 1 0 0 % 24 19 +5 6 3 3 0 % 144 136 +8 71 28 39 4 % 1,075 1,350 −275 6 1 5 0 % 89 241 −152 2 0 2 0 0.00% 13 67 −54 1 1 0 0 % 92 3 +89 6 6 0 0 % 464 66 +398 3 0 3 0 0.00% 53 153 −100 3 2 1 0 % 88 48 +40 1 1 0 0 % 74 0 +74 1 1 0 0 % 43 19 +24 11 9 2 0 % 289 189 +100 9 0 9 0 0.00% 108 301 −193 1 0 1 0 0.00% 7 26 −19 1 1 0 0 % 42 13 +29 Total 327 124 196 7 % 6,281 8,013 −1,732
World Cup record
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. Tournament Won Drawn Lost Tonga finish 2006 202 4th / 5 2007 104 5th / 6 2008 104 6th / 6 2009 004 5th / 5 2010 003 4th / 4 2011 201 2nd / 4 2012 102 3rd / 4 2013 202 3rd / 5 2014 011 3rd / 3 2015 301 3rd / 6 2016 002 3rd / 3 2017 101 2nd / 3 2018 101 2nd / 4 2019 102 5th / 6 2022 003 4th / 4 2024 10 2 5th / 6 2025 2 0 2 3rd / 6 Total 18 1 37 0 titles
Wins against Tier 1 nations Tonga have recorded six wins against tier 1 opposition.
Players Current squad On 21 June, Tonga named a 29-player squad ahead of the 2026 World Rugby Nations Cup Americas-Pacific Series.Canada’s Men's Rugby Team begins journey to Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 with matches in Edmonton and Winnipeg this July
Head coach: Tevita Tuʻifua Caps Updated: 18 July 2026 (after Tonga v Portugal)
Individual all-time records Most caps #PlayerPosSpanMatStartSubPtsTriesConvPensDropWonLostDraw% 1 Sonatane Takulua Scrum-half 2014–present 66 59 7 288 19 44 35 0 25 40 1 37.88 2 Nili Latu Flanker 2006–2017 48 47 1 28 5 0 1 0 19 28 1 40.62 3 Vunga Lilo Fullback 2007–2018 44 41 3 87 12 3 7 0 19 25 0 43.18 4 Siale Piutau Wing 2011–2019 43 41 2 32 6 1 0 0 17 25 1 40.69 Ben Tameifuna Prop 2017-present 43 33 10 20 4 0 0 0 14 29 0 32.56 6 Steve Mafi Lock 2010–2023 42 31 11 10 2 0 0 0 20 22 0 48.42 7 Elisi Vunipola Fly-half 1990–2005 41 40 1 50 8 2 2 0 15 26 0 36.58 8 Kurt Morath Fly-half 2009–2021 40 34 6 340 2 48 78 0 18 22 0 47.36 9 Pierre Hola Fly-half 1998–2009 39 38 1 322 12 68 42 3 19 20 0 48.72 Benhur Kivalu Number 8 1998–2005 39 35 4 40 8 0 0 0 14 24 1 37.17
Last updated: Tonga vs Portugal, 18 July 2026. Statistics include officially capped matches only.
Most tries
# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop 1 Sonatane Takulua Scrum-half 2014–present 66 59 7 288 19 44 35 0 2 Fetuʻu Vainikolo Wing 2011–2016 28 27 1 85 17 0 0 0 3 Josh Taumalolo Centre 1996–2007 26 23 3 118 14 6 12 0 4 Pierre Hola Fly-half 1998–2009 39 38 1 322 12 68 42 3 Vunga Lilo Fullback 2007–2018 44 41 3 87 12 3 7 0 6 Telusa Veainu Wing 2015–present 18 17 1 55 11 0 0 0 7 Fepikou Tatafu Centre 1996–2002 23 21 2 50 10 0 0 0 8 Viliame Iongi Wing 2011–2016 21 15 6 45 9 0 0 0 Benhur Kivalu Number 8 1998–2005 39 35 4 45 9 0 0 0 10 Elisi Vunipola Fly-half 1990–2005 41 40 1 50 8 2 2 0
Last updated: Tonga vs Portugal, 18 July 2026. Statistics include officially capped matches only.
Leading point scorers
# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop 1 Kurt Morath Fly-half 2009–2021 40 34 6 340 2 48 78 0 2 Pierre Hola Fly-half 1998–2009 39 38 1 322 12 68 42 3 3 Sonatane Takulua Scrum-half 2014–present 66 59 7 288 19 44 35 0 4 Sateki Tuipulotu Fullback 1993–2003 20 19 1 190 5 33 32 1 5 Fangatapu Apikotoa Fly-half 2004–2014 30 20 10 147 2 40 19 0 6 Josh Taumalolo Centre 1996–2007 26 23 3 118 14 6 12 0 7 Kusitafu Tonga Fullback 1996–2001 13 12 1 114 1 32 15 0 8 Patrick Pellegrini Fly-half 2023-present 20 14 6 110 5 26 11 0 9 William Havili Fly-half 2022-present 20 20 0 87 1 23 12 0 Vunga Lilo Fullback 2007–2018 44 41 3 87 12 3 7 0
Last updated: Tonga vs Portugal, 18 July 2026. Statistics include officially capped matches only.
Most points in a match
# Player Pos Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Opposition Venue Date 1 Pierre Hola Centre 44 2 17 0 0 Nukuʻalofa 22 March 2003 2 Fangatapu Apikotoa Fly-half 30 2 10 0 0 Henderson 10 February 2007 3 Sateki Tuipulotu Fullback 27 1 8 2 0 Seoul 4 May 19994 Benhur Kivalu Number 8 25 5 0 0 0 Nukuʻalofa 22 March 2003 Patrick Pellegrini Fly-half 25 3 5 0 0 Salt Lake City 20 September 2025 6 Pierre Hola Fullback 24 0 9 1 1 Nukuʻalofa 7 December 2002 7 Gustavo Tonga Fullback 23 1 9 0 0 Nukuʻalofa 5 July 1997 8 Viliame Iongi Centre 20 4 0 0 0 Esher 8 June 2011 Kurt Morath Fly-half 20 0 4 4 0 Lautoka 2 July 2011 Sonatane Takulua Scrum-half 20 1 3 3 0 Nukuʻalofa 1 July 2017
Last updated: Tonga vs Zimbabwe, 4 July 2026. Statistics include officially capped matches only.
Most tries in a match
# Player Pos Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Opposition Venue Date 1 Benhur Kivalu Number 8 25 5 0 0 0 Nukuʻalofa 22 March 2003 2 Viliame Iongi Wing 20 4 0 0 0 Esher 8 June 2011 3 Josh Taumalolo Fly-half 15 3 0 0 0 Nukuʻalofa 5 July 1997 Josh Taumalolo Fullback 17 3 1 0 0 Tbilisi 28 March 1999 Jonathan Koloi Flanker 15 3 0 0 0 Seoul 4 May 1999 Viliami Hakalo Wing 15 3 0 0 0 Rarotonga 24 June 2006 Sonatane Takulua Scrum-half 15 3 0 0 0 Sunshine Coast 23 July 2022 Patrick Pellegrini Fly-half 25 3 5 0 0 Salt Lake City 20 September 2025 9 49 players on 2 tries
Last updated: Tonga vs Zimbabwe, 4 July 2026. Statistics include officially capped matches only.
Most matches as captain
# Player Pos Span Mat Won Lost Draw % Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop 1 Nili Latu Flanker 2006–2016 42 15 26 1 36.90 23 4 0 1 0 2 Sonatane Takulua Scrum-half 2017–present 21 7 14 0 33.33 85 9 8 8 0 3 Siale Piutau Wing 2015–2019 19 9 10 0 47.36 22 4 1 0 0 4 Inoke Afeaki Lock 2001–2003 12 4 8 0 33.33 15 3 0 0 0 5 Ben Tameifuna Prop 2024- 11 3 8 0 27.27 5 1 0 0 0 Fakahau Valu Flanker 1977–1987 11 0 11 0 0.00 12 3 0 0 0 7 Aleki Lutui Hooker 2004–2011 9 1 8 0 11.11 5 1 0 0 0 Elisi Vunipola Fly-half 1999–2001 9 4 5 0 44.44 15 3 0 0 0 9 Sione Mafi Pahulu Number 8 1973–1975 7 1 6 0 14.28 15 3 0 1 0 10 Siaosi Atiola Number 8 1987–1990 6 1 4 1 25.00 4 1 0 0 0
Last updated: Tonga vs Spain, 11 July 2026. Statistics include officially capped matches only.
Youngest players