PNC history

Number of tournaments: 16
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...? The Sipi Tau, Tonga’s pre-match war cry that leaves the opposition in no doubt about the challenge that awaits them was composed by royalty – the late King Tama Tu'i Tufahau Tupou IV – in 1994.

Current form

World Ranking: 19
Form: LLLLL

PNC pool matches

23 August: Tonga v Samoa – Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku’alofa
30 August: Fiji v Tonga – HFC Bank Stadium, Suva

Key team facts

Kit colour: Red and white
Team logo: A white dove, symbolising peace

Nickname: ‘Ikale Tahi/Sea Eagles

Known for: The Sipi Tau. At Rugby World Cup 2003, in Australia, Tonga started to perform the Sipi Tau while their opponents that day, New Zealand, were only part of the way through their traditional haka. The two teams ended up a matter of metres apart.

Head Coach: Tevita Tu’ifua

Tevita Tu’ifua took over from 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.

In brief

Tonga’s squad is drawn from all quarters of the globe and they suffer from a lack of consistency as a result – not helped this year by the fact they haven’t played an international of any sort since their northern hemisphere tour last November – and warmed up for this year’s tournament with a win over an out-of-season Queensland Reds eight days before the tournament kicks off.

They are still the only one of the leading Pacific Island teams never to make it beyond the pool stage of a Rugby World Cup – even though they have been involved in every tournament since the first one back in 1987. Their first priority at PNC 2025 is to ensure they maintain that proud qualification record.

Key player: Salesi Piutau

World Rugby’s change in eligibility rules allowed full-back Piutau to switch national allegiances to the country of his birth after playing 17 times for New Zealand between 2013 and 2015. He played his first test in the red of Tonga in 2022, and was part of their Rugby World Cup 2023 squad.

Legend: Nili Latu

Tonga’s assistant coach was a wrecking ball of a back-row in his playing days, who typified Tonga’s fearsome spirit. He won more caps for his country than any other player until his record of 48 test appearances was overtaken by Sonatane Takalua.

Squad

Tu’ifua has all the experience at his disposal with 19 players over 30 in his squad, and five over 35. 

Forwards

Tupou Afungia, Kelemete Finau, Halaleva Fifita, Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, Jay Fonokalafi, Fe’ao Fotu’aika, Tanginoa Halaifonua, Lotu Inisi, Fotu Lokotui, Siua Maile, Harison Mataele, Siosiua Moala, Samuela Moli, Ben Tameifuna, Salesi Tu’ifua, Solomone Tukuafu

Backs

James Faiva, Nikolai Foliaki, Aisea Halo, Uilisi Halaholo, Fine Inisi, Solomone Kata, Fetuli Paea, Patrick Pellegrini, Salesi Piutau, Augustine Pulu, Sosefo Sakalia, Sonatane Takulua, John Tapueluelu, Josiah Unga

They say

“Everything that we are planning is geared towards qualifying for the World Cup 2027. World Rugby has moved the qualification to this year and that is the priority for the ‘Ikale Tahi.” – Tonga Rugby Union chief executive ’Aisea Aholelei