PNC history
Number of tournaments: 15 (2006-2022)
Best finish: 2nd (2011, 2016)
Most points in a match: 57 (57-16 v Japan, April 2006)
Biggest win: 41 (57-16 v Japan, April 2006)
Did You Know? Tonga featured in the first draw in the Pacific Nations Cup in 2014 (18-18 v Samoa)
Current form
World Ranking: 16th
Form: LLWLL
Key team info
Kit colour: Red and white
Team logo: A white dove, symbolising peace
Nickname: ‘Ikale Tahi/Sea Eagles
Known for: Sipi Tau – Tonga’s pre-match war cry composed by royalty in 1994 (King Tama Tu'i Tufahau Tupou IV) leaves the opposition in no doubt about the challenge that waits them.
Head Coach: Tevita Tu’ifua
Tevita Tu'ifua replaced the long-serving Toutai Kefu as head coach in April 2024 after several years of guiding the Tonga sevens team and taking them to within touching distance of core team status on the world series.
Captain: Ben Tameifuna
A heavyweight presence in the front row of the pack, 151kg Tameifuna leads by example with his rampaging runs in the loose and his rock-solid set-piece ability. Plays his club rugby in France with Bordeaux-Begles.
Legend: Nili Latu
Tonga’s current assistant coach was a wrecking ball of a back-row player who typified Tonga’s fearsome spirit. Won more caps for his country than any other player until his record of 48 test appearances was overtaken last year by Sonatane Takalua.
In brief
Still the only one of the leading Pacific Island teams never to make it beyond the pool stage of a Rugby World Cup. Tonga had high hopes of breaking that glass ceiling in France last year, especially with the likes of Siale (Charles) Piutau in their ranks, but sadly the former All Black full-back’s impact was limited by injury and the ‘Ikale Tahi couldn’t negotiate their way through a fiendishly tough pool that included world champions South Africa, the then number one ranked team Ireland and top six side Scotland.
Tonga’s squad is drawn from all quarters of the globe and they suffer from a lack of consistency as a result. Defeats to Italy and Spain in July don’t bode well but if they can improve their discipline – they conceded 17 penalties on average in last month’s two games – and get their best players on the park, they are a match for anyone.
Squad
Tevita Tu’ifua has named a new-look Tonga squad that is barely recognisable to the one that featured at Rugby World Cup 2023.
Captain Ben Tameifuna is one of only five players who featured in France, including loose-head prop Tau Koloamatangi, half-back Manu Paea and Patrick Pellegrini and centre Fine Inisi.
Forwards: Tau Koloamatangi, Jethro Felemi, Duke Nginingini, Sekope Lopeti Moli, William Fonohema, Solomone Aniseko, Ben Tameifuna, Brandon Televave, Paea Fonoifua, Harison Mataele, Kelemete Finau, Tevita Ahokovi, Lotu Inisi, Siosiua Kaifa, Kuki Liava'a, Sione Takai.
Backs: Aisea Halo, Manu Paea, Siaosi Nai, Patrick Pellegrini, Tyler Pulini, Fetuli Paea, Nikolai Foliaki Fine Inisi, Esau Filimoehala, John Tapueluelu, Samuel Tuitupou, Latu Akauola, Siosiua Moala, Semisi Ma'asi.
*Tests only