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{{Short description|Tonga national rugby league team}}{{About|the men's team|the women's team|Tonga women's national rugby league team}}{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}

factoids

68–5 {{rl-rt>Tonga}}(Rarotonga, Cook Islands; 29 October 1986)Tonga}} 92-10 {{rl|Cook Islands}}(Middlesbrough, England; 31 October 2022)New Zealand}} 74–0 {{rl-rt|Tonga}}(Auckland, New Zealand; 23 October 1999)| World cup apps = 5| World cup first = 1995Semifinals (2017 Rugby League World Cup>2017)}}The Tonga national rugby league team () represents Tonga in rugby league football. They are currently the fifth ranked team in the world. The team was formed to compete in the 1986 Pacific Cup, and have competed at six Rugby League World Cups, starting in 1995 and continuing consecutively until the most recent tournament. Their best result was at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, where they were semi-finalists.Formerly administered by the Tonga National Rugby League, the team is now in a state of limbo with administration. They wear a predominantly red uniform with white sides and are associated with the phrase Mate Ma'a Tonga (English: Die for Tonga). They are coached by Australian Kristian Woolf, and captained by Addin Fonua-Blake.

History

Rugby league first gained attention in Tonga when the Pacific Cup was partially held in the country during 1986. After this initial exposure to the Tongan people several clubs began to form or switch from rugby union to rugby league and by 1988 the nation had enough depth in their player pool to begin playing national fixtures and entered the 1988 Pacific Cup competition held in Apia, Samoa. During that Pacific Cup the Tongans played in three fixtures winning a sole match while losing the other two, with their first international victory coming against the American Samoa side a match that ended 38–14.Over the next two years the national side sporadically played international fixtures but it was not until the 1992 Pacific Cup when they again began playing with some regularity. At the 1992 Cup competition the side showed significant improvement on their previous inaugural cup effort with victories over {{rlnt|Niue}}, {{rlnt|Cook Islands}}, {{rlnt|Fiji}} and the New Zealand Maori. 1992 Pacific Cup (New Zealand) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929094043weblink |date=29 September 2007 }} International Competitions Website Retrieved on 18 May 2007. This run of victories earned them a place in the final of the 1992 Pacific Cup against the Western Samoan side but they eventually lost a close fought match by four points 18–14. The following tournament two years later saw the Tongan side show further improvement with several comfortable victories again earning them a spot in final of the Pacific Cup this time against the Fijians who had never defeated the Tongans at that time. The Mate Ma'a were again victorious over Fiji 34–11 and claimed their maiden Pacific Cup title.During 1995 Tonga qualified for their first World Cup and were seeded in the strong group B with both {{rlnt|New Zealand}} and {{rlnt|Papua New Guinea}}. They narrowly lost to the New Zealand team by a single point and earned a draw against Papua New Guinea.File:Sipi tau 2008 RLWC.jpg|350px|thumb|left|The Tongan team performing the Sipi Tau at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup2008 Rugby League World CupThe next four years saw the Tongan side appear in a further Pacific Cup in 1997 and then qualify for the 2000 World Cup with comfortable victories over {{rlnt|Cook Islands}}, {{rlnt|Tokelau}} and {{rlnt|American Samoa}}. Prior to appearing at the 2000 competition the Tongans arranged a friendly fixture against the New Zealand side but lost 74–0.After the heavy defeat to New Zealand their next international fixture was during their second World Cup where the Tongans were again placed in a group with {{rlnt|France}}, {{rlnt|Papua New Guinea}} again, and {{rlnt|South Africa}}. Tonga faced South Africa in their first match of the tournament where they won 66–18, however they lost to both France and Papua New Guinea meaning the Tongans again failed to make it past the first stage of the tournament.The Pacific Cup saw the Tongans again qualify for the tournament final with victories over both the Cook Islands and Fiji but the side suffered defeat at the hands of neighbouring Samoa 51–18. 2006 saw the Tongan side re-enter the Pacific Cup where again they performed strongly qualifying for their second consecutive final where this time they reversed their previous effort with a strong victory over Fiji 22–4 giving them their second Pacific Cup title. 2006 continued to be a busy year of international fixtures for the Tongans which saw them gain qualification into the 2008 World Cup after they finished top of their Pacific group ahead of the Cook Islands, Fiji and Samoa and then defeat the Samoans 18–10 in the qualifying final. They also entered the inaugural Federation Shield competition along with England, France and Samoa and eventually finish second. England to face Tonga in League final to the English in the final 32–14 after they had defeated both France and Samoa.In April 2013, Tonga took on {{rlnt|Samoa}} in the '2013 Pacific Rugby League Test' at Penrith Stadium. The International was created as a World Cup warm-up match. Tonga beat Toa Samoans by 36–4.Tonga automatically qualified for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup after participating in the 2008 tournament. They took on {{rlnt|Scotland}}, {{rlnt|Italy}} and the {{rlnt|Cook Islands}} in the pool stage. In their first match they took on 'the Scots'. It was a tight and intense rugby league battle, but Scotland won 26–24. Tonga then went on and beat 'the Kukis', 22–16, and Italy, 16–0, but it wasn't enough. Scotland finished the group stage unbeaten, sealing their place in the quarter-final and ending Tonga's World Cup campaign in the process.In May 2015, Tonga took on {{rlnt|Samoa}} in the 2015 Polynesian Cup at Cbus Super Stadium. The International was part of a triple header which also included the Melanesian Cup, between Papua New Guinea and Fiji, and the Junior Kangaroos against the Junior Kiwis. Samoa beat Mate Ma'a Tonga to win the Polynesian Cup by 18–16.In October 2015, Tonga took on the {{rlnt|Cook Islands}} in the Asia-Pacific elimination play-off to determine which of the two Asia-Pacific nations qualified for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. After a tight first half, Mate Ma'a Tonga went on win the match scoring 16 points within the last 20 minutes of the game.In May 2016, Tonga took on {{rlnt|Samoa}} in the 2016 Polynesian Cup at Pirtek Stadium. The International was part of a triple header which also included the Melanesian Cup, between Papua New Guinea and Fiji, and the Junior Kangaroos against the Junior Kiwis. The match resulted in a 12-point defeat to Samoa in the 2016 Polynesian Cup.File:Jason Taumalolo.jpg|200px|thumb|right|New Zealand}} since 2017.Tonga fielded its strongest ever team at the 2017 World Cup after Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita chose to represent their Tongan heritage rather than their respective birthplaces, {{rlnt|New Zealand}} and {{rlnt|Australia}}. At the time, they were considered to be among the best forwards in the world.WEB, 4 October 2017, Jason Taumalolo turns his back on New Zealand to represent Tonga in Rugby League World Cup,weblink Fox Sports, 16 June 2018, WEB, 5 October 2017, Andrew Fifita snubs Kangaroos for to play for Tonga in World Cup,weblink subscription, Daily Telegraph, 16 June 2018, Both players cited a desire to honour family and strengthen the Tongan team as motivating factors for their defections, while Taumalolo's relationship with Tonga head coach Kristian Woolf was also acknowledged.WEB, 6 October 2017, Jason Taumalolo on why he chose Tonga over New Zealand for the 2017 RLWC,weblink subscription, Courier Mail, 16 June 2018, {{efn|Woolf had previously coached Taumalolo as head coach of the North Queensland Cowboys' Under-20s team in 2010 and 2011, and as assistant coach of Tonga at the 2013 World Cup.WEB, Barclay, Chris, 13 October 2013, Time for Tonga to shine at World Cup in England,weblink stuff, 18 June 2022, }}In addition, Manu Maʻu declined a likely position in the New Zealand squad,WEB, France, Marvin, 17 October 2017, Manu Ma'u leaves mark on Kiwis jersey despite late switch to Tonga,weblink stuff, 17 June 2018, while David Fusitu'a, Solomone Kata, Tuimoala Lolohea, and Sio Siua Taukeiaho dismissed any possibility of a New Zealand re-call in order to represent Tonga.WEB, 4 October 2017, Report: Seven New Zealand players to follow Taumalolo's RLWC Tonga defection,weblink Sporting News, 17 June 2018, WEB, Campton, Nick, 17 June 2022, Can Tonga turn their golden generation into a new era of stars?work=Australian Broadcasting CorporationMichael Jennings (rugby league)>Michael Jennings also committed himself to Tonga after declining an opportunity to represent {{rlntDATE=1 SEPTEMBER 2017URL=HTTP://WWW.RLWC2017.COM:80/NEWS/TONGA-COACH-CONFIDENT-JENNINGS-WILL-RESIST-FIJI-APPROACHARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20170908140124/HTTP://WWW.RLWC2017.COM/NEWS/TONGA-COACH-CONFIDENT-JENNINGS-WILL-RESIST-FIJI-APPROACHURL-STATUS=DEAD, Tonga quickly became the most heavily backed team in the World Cup, dropping from $81 odds to $17. Entering into the tournament as the 11th ranked team in the world, Tonga comfortably won their opening two group matches, outclassing {{rlnt|Scotland}} 50–4WEB, 30 October 2017, Rugby League World Cup: Tonga thrash Scotland in opener,weblink New Zealand Herald, 18 June 2018, and {{rlnt|Samoa}} 32–18.WEB, Burgess, Michael, 4 November 2017, Tonga take down Samoa at Rugby League World Cup,weblink New Zealand Herald, 18 June 2018, In their third and final group match, Tonga upset New Zealand 28–22 after trailing 16–2 at half-time. This marked the first time since the introduction of the tiered-nation system that a tier-two team defeated a tier-one team,WEB, Dean, John, 11 November 2017, Tonga beat New Zealand in stunning World Cup upset,weblink Fox Sports, 18 June 2018, WEB, 12 November 2017, Tonga edge thriller with New Zealand thanks to David Fusitu'a hat-trick,weblink The Guardian, 18 June 2018, and the first time since {{rlnt|Wales}} defeated {{rlnt|England}} 18–16 in 1995 if applied retroactively.WEB, 26 October 2017, Tonga has a unique opportunity in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup,weblink subscription, Daily Telegraph, 18 June 2018, Tonga beat {{rlnt|Lebanon}} 24–22 in a hard-fought quarter-final,WEB, 18 November 2017, Tonga move on to World Cup semi-finals after thrilling 24–22 win over gallant Lebanon,weblink Daily Telegraph, 18 June 2018, and then lost 18–20 to England in the semi-final. England were leading 20–0 with 8 minutes remaining until Tonga scored three tries in quick succession, however, a contentious refereeing decision in the last seconds of the game denied them scoring a fourth try and progressing to the World Cup final.WEB, 25 November 2017, Contentious call ends Tonga's RLWC 2017 charge,weblink Mercury, 18 June 2018, WEB, 25 November 2017, England holds off fast-finishing Tonga to reach Rugby League World Cup final,weblink ABC, 18 June 2018, {{Rquote|1=left|2=Playing for the Kangaroos is the pinnacle in rugby league. If you make that team, you’re up there with the best in the world in your position... But it’s a very different feeling playing for Tonga. There’s more emotion in the Tongan jersey. You know what your family has been through and you think about them every time you put it on.|3=Michael Jennings|4=AthletesVoiceWEB, 7 October 2017, Tonga's World Cup Revolution,weblink AthletesVoice, 22 June 2018, }}After Tonga's semi-final against England, which was attended by King Tupou VI, 29 November 2018 was declared a public holiday in Tonga as Mate Ma'a Tonga Day and the entire Tongan squad was invited to the Royal Palace. Every player was honoured as Knight Commander of the Most Illustrious Order of Queen Sālote Tupou IIIWEB, Rowe, James, 4 December 2017, Taumalolo and Lolohea receive amazing gift from Tonga for Rugby League World Cup exploits,weblink 9Pickle, 18 June 2018, WEB, 30 November 2017, Facebook post,weblinkweblink 2022-02-26, limited, The Coconet, 18 June 2018, {{cbignore}} for their contribution to sports.WEB, 27 November 2017, Tongan rugby league team to be recognised by King,weblink Radio NZ, 18 June 2018, WEB, 28 November 2017, Tonga Government declares public holiday over rugby league team's deeds,weblink stuff, 18 June 2018, WEB, Latu, Kalino, 27 November 2017, Mate Ma'a Tonga players to receive royal award from King Tupou VI,weblink KanivaTonga, 18 June 2018, WEB, 29 November 2017, 'In a big way I'm proud' – RLWC hero Jason Taumalolo and team decked out in traditional dress for ceremony with Tongan king,weblink tvnz, 18 June 2018, At the conclusion of the tournament, Tonga jumped to 4th in the RLIF world rankings.WEB, 8 December 2017, Latest World Rankings announced,weblink RLIF.com, 18 June 2018,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20171211053430weblink">weblink 11 December 2017, WEB, 11 December 2017, Tonga soars, England snubbed in RLIF rankings after World Cup,weblink Fox Sports, 18 June 2018, After the tournament, several players{{efn|Including Andrew Fifita,WEB, 31 March 2018, Andrew Fifita chooses Tonga over NSW Blues, Australian Kangaroos after secret meeting,weblink subscription, Daily Telegraph, 22 June 2018, Tevita Pangai Junior,WEB, 27 March 2018, Broncos forward Tevita Pangai Junior chooses Tonga over New South Wales and State of Origin,weblink subscription, Courier Mail, 22 June 2018, Michael Jennings,WEB, Newton, Alicia, 2 May 2018, Jennings commits to Tonga over Blues,weblink NRL.com, 22 June 2018, Tuimoala Lolohea,WEB, Newton, Alicia, 26 January 2018, Lolohea set to stick with Tonga over Kiwis,weblink NRL.com, 22 June 2018, Solomone Kata,WEB, Thomas, Jackson, 16 May 2018, Kata commits to Tonga while Fusitu'a remains undecided,weblink NRL.com, 22 June 2018, David Fusitu'a,WEB, 5 June 2018, David Fusitu'a sticks with Tonga over Kiwis,weblink stuff, 23 June 2018, and Jason Taumalolo.WEB, 13 June 2018, Taumalolo recommits to Tonga,weblink cowboys.com.au, 22 June 2018, }} publicly reaffirmed their allegiance to the Tongan team as the media speculated whether they would return to their tier-one nations, assuming they were to be welcomed back.WEB, 22 October 2017, Emotional Kiwis coach can't guarantee return for Taumalolo,weblink Radio NZ, 22 June 2018, Addin Fonua-Blake also announced his intention to represent Tonga after playing for New Zealand at the World Cup,WEB, Kermeen, Mat, 6 June 2018, Change of heart for Addin Fonua-Blake as Tonga wins tug-of-war,weblink stuff, 22 June 2018, commenting "I really enjoyed my time with the Kiwis but it just didn't feel like home."WEB, Newton, Alicia, 20 June 2018, Envy drives Fonua-Blake home as Tonga eyes top tier,weblink NRL.com, 23 June 2018, As a consequence, New Zealand's squad for their match against England on 24 June 2018 contained just one Tongan-eligible player, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who reportedly pledged his loyalty to the Kiwis to honour his great-grandfather Puti Tipene Watene, the first Māori to captain the side.WEB, Rattue, Chris, 20 June 2018, I hope Tongan league players are not forever lost to the Kiwis,weblink New Zealand Herald, 23 June 2018, Tonga faced {{rlnt|Australia}} for the first time ever on 20 October 2018, losing 34–16.WEB, 21 October 2018, Kangaroos withstand spirited Tongan challenge,weblink Radio NZ, 4 December 2018, On 22 June 2019, Tonga faced New Zealand again at Mount Smart Stadium as part of the 2019 Oceania Cup. The Kiwis won 34–14 in a dominant display. After the NRL season ended, Tonga played against the touring {{rlnt|Great Britain}} on 26 October, winning 14–6 at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton. This was Great Britain's first match after a twelve-year hiatus.NEWS, 25 October 2019, Relive Great Britain's loss to Tonga Invitational XIII,weblink BBC Sport, 27 March 2020, The following week at Auckland's Eden Park, Tonga faced the Australia in an Oceania Cup match. Tonga stunned the world number one nation, winning 16–12, their best win in their history.WEB, McDonald, Margie, 2 November 2019, Incredible Tonga stun Australia with powerhouse performance,weblink NRL.com, 27 March 2020, This match was labelled one of the greatest upsets in rugby league history, marking the first time Australia had lost to a tier 2 nation since 1978.WEB, 2 November 2019, Tonga shock Australia in huge rugby league upset,weblink The Independent, 27 March 2020, Jason Taumalolo rated the win above his 2015 NRL Grand Final victory with the North Queensland Cowboys.WEB, Orme, Steve, 3 November 2019, Jason Taumalolo ranks Tonga Invitational's victory over Australia above NRL premiership,weblink Sporting News, 27 March 2020, Tonga competed at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup in England, having qualified automatically as semi-finalists of the 2017 tournament. The tournament was delayed until 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The team won all three group games,WEB, Men's World Cup Table - Rugby League,weblink 2022-11-09, BBC Sport, en-GB, before falling 18-20 against Samoa in a 'classic' quarter-final that was lauded for its 'athleticism, power and superb ball-handling skills'.NEWS, Samoa edge Tonga to set up England semi-final, en-GB, BBC Sport,weblink 2022-11-09, WEB, 2022-11-06, Samoa beat Tonga in classic to set up England semi-final at Rugby League World Cup,weblink 2022-11-09, the Guardian, en,

Identity

Kit supplier

Tonga's kit suppliers are ISC since 2018. Classic (1995 RLWC), Mitre (2000 RLWC), Kombat (2004–2005), KooGa (2006–2012) and FI-TA (2013–2018) were previous suppliers. As of 2019, the current kit supplier is Dynasty Sport.WEB, Australia, Dynasty Sport {{!, |title=TONGA SET TO FULFIL THEIR DYNASTY|url=https://dynastysport.com.au/blogs/news/tonga-set-to-fulfil-their-dynasty|access-date=2021-07-15|website=Dynasty Sport {{!}} Australia|language=en}}

Coaching Staff

Also see (:Category:Tonga national rugby league team coaches).{| class="wikitable sortable"! No.! Name! Years! G! W! L! D! %1{{flagicon|New Zealand}} Graham Mattson19942{{flagicon|New Zealand}} Mike McClennan1995–1998302103{{flagicon|Australia}} Murray Hurst1998–20008620754{{flagiconTonga}} Duane Mann20065{{flagiconTonga}} Jim Dymock2006–20088440506{{flagiconRohan Smith (rugby league)>Rohan Smith2009300007{{flagicon|Tonga}} Charlie Tonga2010–20135320608{{flagicon|Australia}} Kristian Woolf2014–present15960609{{flagiconDean Young (rugby league)>Dean Young (caretaker)202200000

Players

Current squad

The Tongan squad for the 2023 Tonga rugby league tour of England. The squad was announced on 4 October 2023.WEB,weblink Frizell bolsters Tonga pack after withdrawal of Taumalolo, Walter, Brad, 4 Oct 2023, NRL, 12 Oct 2023, Jersey numbers in the table are those used in the Third Test against England.Statistics in this table are compiled from the website, Rugby League Project, and are up to 5 November 2023, including the Third Test.{| border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" style="width:100%; text-align:right;" style="background:red; color:white;" ! rowspan=2| J#! rowspan=2 align=left | Player! rowspan=2 align=center | Age! rowspan=2 align=center | Position(s)! colspan=6 align=center | Tonga! rowspan=2 align=center | Club! colspan=2 align=center | NRL! colspan=2 align=center | SL! rowspan=2 align=center | Other Reps style="background:red; color:white;"!{{tooltip|Dbt|Debut}}!{{tooltip|M|Matches}}!{{tooltip|T|Tries}}!{{tooltip|G|Goals}}!{{tooltip|F|Field Goals}}!{{tooltip|P|Points}}!{{tooltip|CM|Matches for 2023 NRL Club}}!{{tooltip|TM|Total NRL Matches}}!{{tooltip|CM|Matches for 2023 Super League Club}}!{{tooltip|TM|Total Super League Matches}} 31 align=center FB}} 2017 13 3 style="color:lightgray" 0 12 align=left ENG}} {{leagueicon16}} St Helens R.F.C. {{mdash}} 184 31 31 align=left New South WalesTongaCity|16}} 2 21 align=center WG 0 style="color:lightgray" {{flagdecoParramattaParramatta Eels > 0 style="color:lightgray" | 32 align=center CE}} 2013 11 2 style="color:lightgray" 0 8 align=left ENG}} {{leagueicon16}} St Helens R.F.C. {{mdash}} 116 48 103 align=left framelessTonga|16}} 2 25 align=center CE}} 2017 8 1 style="color:lightgray" 0 4 align=left AUS}} {{leagueicon16}} St. George Illawarra Dragons 39 118 style="color:lightgray" 0 > {{rlpCE}} 2022 6 2 style="color:lightgray" 0 8 align=left AUS}} {{leagueicon16}} Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 39 39 style="color:lightgray" 0 28 align=center FE 0 32 align=left ENG}} {{leagueicon16}} Huddersfield Giants {{mdash}} 71 54 126 align=left TongaNZ|16}} 1 19 align=center HB 0 56 align=left AUS}} {{leagueicon16}} Dolphins (NRL) 22 22 style="color:lightgray" 0 26 align=center PR 0 style="color:lightgray" 0 style="color:lightgray" {{flagdecoSouth SydneySouth Sydney Rabbitohs > 0 style="color:lightgray" {{leagueicon16}} 1 30 align=center HK}} 2013 16 2 style="color:lightgray" 0 8 align=left AUS}} {{leagueicon16}} South Sydney Rabbitohs 31 135 style="color:lightgray" 0 align=left TongaNZ|16}} 1 31 align=center PR 0 style="color:lightgray" {{flagdecoDolphinsDolphins (NRL) > 0 style="color:lightgray" {{leagueicon16}} 14 {{leagueicon16}} 4 32 align=center SR}} 2023 3 1 style="color:lightgray" 0 4 align=left AUS}} {{leagueicon16}} Newcastle Knights 62 239 5 style="color:lightgray" {{leagueicon16}} 16 {{leagueicon16}} 16 {{leagueicon16}} 2 {{leagueicon16}} 5 25 align=center SR}} 2022 5 style="color:lightgray" 0 style="color:lightgray" 0 align=left AUS}} {{leagueicon16}} Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 73 73 style="color:lightgray" 0 25 align=center LK 0 style="color:lightgray" {{flagdecoSouth SydneySouth Sydney Rabbitohs > 0 style="color:lightgray" {{leagueicon16}} 1 18 align=center FE}} 2023 1 style="color:lightgray" 0 style="color:lightgray" 0 align=left AUS}} {{leagueicon16}} Manly Warringah Sea Eagles {{mdash}} 0 style="color:lightgray" 0 23 align=center PR}} 2022 3 style="color:lightgray" 0 style="color:lightgray" 0 align=left AUS}} {{leagueicon16}} Gold Coast Titans 121 121 style="color:lightgray" 0 align=left Queensland|16}} 6 23 align=center SR}} 2023 2 1 style="color:lightgray" 0 4 align=left AUS}} {{leagueicon16}} Melbourne Storm 21 67 style="color:lightgray" 0 20 align=center SR}} 2023 1 style="color:lightgray" 0 style="color:lightgray" 0 align=left AUS}} {{leagueicon16}} Sydney Roosters 10 10 style="color:lightgray" 0 align=left Fiji|16}} 4 21 align=center WG}} 2023 1 style="color:lightgray" 0 style="color:lightgray" 0 align=left AUS}} {{leagueicon16}} Wests Tigers 26 26 style="color:lightgray" 0 27 align=center PR}} 2017 11 style="color:lightgray" 0 style="color:lightgray" 0 align=left NZL}} {{leagueicon16}} New Zealand Warriors 62 159 style="color:lightgray" 0 align=left Tonga|16}} 1 26 align=center PR}} 2018 8 1 style="color:lightgray" 0 4 align=left AUS}} {{leagueicon16}} South Sydney Rabbitohs 134 134 style="color:lightgray" 0 {{mdash}} align=center FE}} 2023 2 style="color:lightgray" 0 style="color:lightgray" 0 align=left AUS}} {{leagueicon16}} South Sydney Rabbitohs {{mdash}} 0 style="color:lightgray" 0 23 align=center CE 0 style="color:lightgray" {{flagdecoWests TigersWests Tigers > 0 style="color:lightgray" | 32 align=center WG}} 2013 16 12 style="color:lightgray" 0 48 align=left AUS}} {{leagueicon16}} Sydney Roosters 241 241 1 style="color:lightgray" {{leagueicon16}} 10 {{leagueicon16}} 2 {{leagueicon16}} 1 {{leagueicon16}} 2

Notable former players

Since rugby league was introduced to the nation of Tonga in 1986 many players of Tongan birth or heritage have gone on to attain notability by participating in NRL or Super League, or both. Additionally many Tongan heritage players have represented other nations (mainly Australia or New Zealand) in addition to Tonga.A list of seventeen former notable Tongan heritage players below that have played in NRL & Super League all played internationally for Tonga, with twelve of them also having played for other nations.{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto"| Rugby League World Cup AppearancesMartin Masella (Captained) >1995 Rugby League World Cup>1995 & 2000Tevita Vaikona >| 1995 & 2000Lopini Paea (Captained) >2008 Rugby League World Cup>2008Etu Uaisele >| 2008Feleti Mateo >| 2008John Hopoate >Australia national rugby league team>Australia 1995 (Represented Australia)Jim Dymock >| 1995 (Represented Australia)Willie Mason >| 2000Brent Kite (Captained) >(Represented Australia) & 2013 Rugby League World Cup>2013Antonio Kaufusi >| 2008Duane Mann (Captained) >New Zealand national rugby league team>New Zealand 1995 & 2000George Mann (rugby league)>George Mann Tonga, New Zealand 1995Awen Guttenbeil >| 1995 & 2008Fuifui Moimoi >| 2013Epalahame Lauaki >| 2008Tevita Leo-Latu>Tevita Latu Tonga, New Zealand 2008Sika Manu (Captained) >(Represented New Zealand), 2013 & 2017 Rugby League World Cup>2017

Records

• Bold- denotes that the player is still active.

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Most capped players{| class"wikitable sortable" style"text-align:center;"

!width=50px|#! style="width:150px;"|Name! style="width:100px;"|Career!width=50px|Caps|1|Daniel Tupou|2013-2022|162|Ben Murdoch-Masila|2013-2022|15|Tuimoala Lolohea|2015-2022|154|Richard Fa'aoso|2006-2015|14|Sika Manu|2013-2018|14|Jason Taumalolo|2013, 2017-2022|14|Sio Siua Taukeiaho|2014-2015, 2017-2022|148|Siliva Havili|2013, 2017-2022|13|Feleti Mateo|2006-2016|13">

Top try scorers{| class"wikitable sortable" style"text-align:center;"

!width=50px|#! style="width:150px;"|Name! style="width:100px;"|Career!width=50px|Tries|1|Daniel Tupou|2013-2022|12|2Michael Jennings (rugby league)>Michael Jennings|2008, 2017–2019|8|3|Etuate Uaisele|2006-2013|7|4|Makasini Richter|2000-2006|6">

Top points scorers{| class"wikitable sortable" style"text-align:center;"

!width=50px|#! style="width:150px;"|Name! style="width:100px;"|Career!width=50px|Points!width=50px|Tries!width=50px|Goals!width=50px|Field Goals1|Isaiya Katoa|2022|58|2|25|0|Sio Siua Taukeiaho|2014-2015, 2017-2022|58|2|25|0|3|Daniel Tupou|2013-2022|48|12|0|0|4|Joel Taufa'ao|2004-2009|38|2|15|0

Competitive Record

{{RLIF World Rankings|Tonga}}The following table underneath shows Tonga's all-time rugby league results record. Matches include those played as the Tonga Invitational XIII side. They have been participating in International fixtures since 1986.{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"! style="width:150px;" |Country! width="80" |Matches! width="70" |Won! width="70" |Drawn! width="70" |Lost! width="70" |% Won! width="70" |Year/sAmerican Samoa}}|2|2|0|0|100%|1988–1998Australia}}*|2|1|0|1|50%|2018–201922x22px) Australian Aboriginies|1|0|0|1|0%|1994Cook Islands}}|12|11|0|1|92%|1988–2022England}}|6|0|0|6|0%|2006–2023France}}|2|1|0|1|50%|2000–2006Fiji}}|12|6|1|5|50%|1992–2017Fiji}} Presidents XIII|1|1|0|0|100%|1994GB}}*|1|1|0|0|100%|2019Ireland}}|1|1|0|0|100%|2008Italy}}|2|2|0|0|100%|2013–2017Lebanon}}|1|1|0|0|100%|2017New Zealand Māori}}|8|3|0|5|38%|1986–2006New Zealand}}|6|1|0|5|17%|1995–2019New Zealand}} New Zealand XIII|1|0|0|1|0%|1997Niue}}|3|3|0|0|100%|1990–1994Papua New Guinea}}|9|1|1|7|11%|1995–2022Samoa}}Samoa|22|11|1|10|50%|1986–2022Scotland}}|3|2|0|1|67%|2008–2017South Africa}}|1|1|0|0|100%|2000Tokelau}}|4|4|0|0|100%|1986–2006United States}}|1|1|0|0|100%|2012Wales}}|1|1|0|0|100%|2022!Total!102!55!3!44!53.92%!1986–*Includes matches played as Tonga Invitational.HEAD TO HEAD >URL=HTTPS://WWW.RUGBYLEAGUEPROJECT.ORG/TEAMS/TONGA-INVITATIONAL/HEAD2HEAD.HTML ACCESS-DATE=24 DECEMBER 2020, {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"!colspan=9|World Cup Record!Year!Round!Position!{{Tooltip|Pld|Games played}}!Win!Draw!LossFrance}} 1954did not enterAustralia}} 1957England}} 1960Australia}} {{flagicon1968 Rugby League World Cup>1968England}} 1970France}} 1972UN}} 1975Australia}} {{flagicon1977 Rugby League World Cup>1977UN}} 1985–88UN}} 1989–92England}} 1995|Group Stage|7th out of 10|2|0|1|1United Kingdom}} {{flagiconrugby league}} {{flagicon2000 Rugby League World Cup>2000|Group Stage|9th out of 16|3|1|0|2Australia}} 2008|Group Stage|7th out of 10|3|2|0|1England}} {{flagicon2013 Rugby League World Cup>2013|Group Stage|9th out of 14|3|2|0|1Australia}} {{flagiconPNG}} 2017Semi-final3rd out of 145401England}} 2021|Quarter-final|5th out of 16|4|3|0|1France}} 2026qualified

Honours

• Pacific Cup: 2

See also

{{commons category|Tonga national rugby league team}}

• Tongan National Rugby League, the national league competition.
• Tonga National Rugby League, the governing body of the sport in Tonga.
• Rugby league in Tonga
• Tonga women's national rugby league team

Notes

{{notelist}}

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

• {{Official websiteweblink}}
• {{Facebook User|pages/Tonga-National-Rugby-League/347076692112592}}
• weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20081018224314weblink">2008 Rugby League World Cup Website
• Matangi Tonga Online
• weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20070517123107weblink">Tonga Broadcasting

{{Mate Ma'a Tonga}}{{National sports teams of Tonga}}{{Rugby League in Oceania}}{{International Rugby League}}