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| Rugby league in Tonga | |
|---|---|
| Country | Tonga |
| Governing body | Tonga National Rugby League (until 2019) |
| National team(s) | Men's Women's |
| First played | 1980s |
International competitions | |
Rugby league is a popular team sport played in Tonga.
The Tongan national team was formed to enter the 1986 Pacific Cup.
A domestic competition consisting of six clubs was launched in 1988. [1]
During the Super League war, Tonga joined the News Corp-backed Super League in June 1995. [2]
The Tongan Rugby League competition comprises 12 teams in the first division, and 7 in the second. Following the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, the competition was renamed the Jason Taumalolo Cup. Age-restricted competitions were also named for Manu Vatuvei, Solomone Kata, Konrad Hurrell and Tuimoala Lolohea. [3]
The 12 teams in the first division are:
The 7 teams in the second division are:
There are 10 first division sides in the Global Insurance Cup and there are 9 in the second division. Only Kolomu'a Warriors (One of two Nuku'alofa Clubs) and the Vaini Doves have first and second division sides. The First Division sides have been, to a greater extent, regular participants in the competition since the inception of League in 1988. Those sides are Kolomu'a, Vaini, Mu'a Saints, Silapeluua (Ha'ateiho) Crusaders, Lapaha Knights, Ha'akame Broncos, Hihifo Rovers, Havelu Bulldogs, Halaloto Barbarians and Nakolo Raiders. The Second Division consists of a number of clubs that have participated infrequently over a number of years. However, regulars in the Second Division are Fatumu, Ha'ateiho Spartans and Ngalukilo Stormers.
The most recent competition (2013) was won by the Kolomua Warriors who defeated the Ha'akame Broncos in the grand final at Teufaiva Stadium in front of approximately 2 000 spectators.
Secondary Schools Competition started in 2007 with 5 teams in the under 18s competition and 8 teams in the Under 16s. Takuilau High School won the Under 18s competition and Liahona High School won the Under 16s competition. It is the largest number of teams and players participating in rugby league in Tongan history, with the National Schools Committee starting the Under 12s, Under 14s and Under 15s in 2008.
In 2013 the Secondary Schools Competition featured 8 schools with teams competing in Under 13s, Under 15s, Under 17's and Open's competitions. Tupou High School finished open age champions with Tonga College winning the U17's and Tupou College winning the Under 15's and U13's competition. Primary school rugby league was also introduced with Maufanga/Fanga and ACTS Community School winning the inaugural tournaments.
TNRL estimate that there are roughly 1,500 players playing rugby league in Tonga for 2007. [4]
The men's national team was formed in 1986 to enter the 1986 Pacific Cup. They have competed at five Rugby League World Cups (1995, 2000, 2008, 2013, and 2017). They achieved their best result as semi-finalists in 2017.
The women's national team was formed in 2003 for the 2003 Women's Rugby League World Cup. They competed at their second World Cup in 2008.
Tonga, officially named the Kingdom of Tonga, is a Polynesian country, and also an archipelago comprising 169 islands, of which 36 are inhabited. The archipelago's total surface area is about 750 square kilometres (290 sq mi) scattered over 700,000 square kilometres (270,000 sq mi) of the southern Pacific Ocean. As of 2021, Tonga had a population of 104,494, 70% of whom resided on the main island, Tongatapu. The country stretches across approximately 800 kilometres (500 mi) in a north–south line. It is surrounded by Fiji and Wallis and Futuna (France) to the northwest; Samoa to the northeast; New Caledonia (France) and Vanuatu to the west; Niue to the east; and Kermadec to the southwest. Tonga is about 1,800 kilometres (1,100 mi) from New Zealand's North Island.
George Tupou I, originally known as Tāufaʻāhau I, was the first king of modern Tonga. He adopted the name Siaosi, the Tongan equivalent of George, after King George III of the United Kingdom, when he was baptized in 1831. His nickname was Lopa-ukamea, meaning iron cable.
The Tonga national rugby league team represents Tonga in rugby league football. They are currently the third ranked team in the world. The team was formed to compete in the 1986 Pacific Cup, and have competed at five Rugby League World Cups, starting in 1995 and continuing consecutively until the most recent tournament in 2017, where they achieved their best ever result as semi-finalists.
The Cook Islands national rugby league team have represented the Cook Islands in international rugby league football since 1986. Administered by the Cook Islands Rugby League Association (CIRLA), the team has competed at two Rugby League World Cups, in 2000 and 2013, and are coached by Tony Iro.
The Samoa national rugby league team represents Samoa in rugby league football and has been participating in international competition since 1986. Known as Western Samoa prior to 1997, the team is administered by Rugby League Samoa and are nicknamed Toa Samoa.
Kolonga is a village and the most populated settlement located on the northeast coast of Tongatapu in the Hahake District, Kingdom of Tonga. Kolonga is a hereditary estate of Lord Nuku.
Rugby union is the national sport of Tonga. Tonga are considered to be a tier 2 rugby nation by the International Rugby Board.
Epalahame Lauaki is a Tongan former professional rugby league footballer who last played for the Bradford Bulls in the Championship.
Simione Foliaki is a Tongan rugby league footballer who plays as a fullback for the Vaini Doves in the Tonga National Rugby League competition.
The Tongan National Rugby League is the major rugby league cup for semi-professional clubs in Tonga. Currently there are nineteen teams in the cup that compete annually in the national competition.
Rugby union is the national sport in Tonga. Sumo has a following, while football, judo, surfing, volleyball, and cricket have gained popularity in recent years. Rugby league and Australian football are also played.
Ukuma Ta'ai is a Tongan professional rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row, loose forward or prop for the Newcastle Thunder in the Betfred Championship and Tonga at international level.
Sona Taumalolo is a former professional rugby union player. He played at prop for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic Mitre 10 Cup competition; the Chiefs in Super Rugby; several French clubs; and the Tonga national team. He retired at the end of the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup season.
Vaai "Jason" Taumalolo is a professional rugby league footballer who captains and plays as a lock and second-row forward for the North Queensland Cowboys in the NRL. He has played for Tonga and New Zealand at international level.
Tuimoala Lolohea is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a stand-off for the Huddersfield Giants in the Betfred Super League. He has played for both New Zealand and Tonga at international level.
Taniela Tupou is an Australian professional rugby union player. He plays as a tight head prop for the Queensland Reds in Super Rugby and has represented Australia in international rugby. Born in Tonga he qualifies for Australia by residency.
Solomone Kata is a Tongan professional rugby union footballer who plays for the ACT Brumbies in Super Rugby.
Joseph Ofahengaue, also known by the nickname of "Jo"', is a Tonga international rugby league professional footballer who plays as a prop and lock for the Wests Tigers in the NRL.
Tevita Pangai Jr. is a Tonga international rugby league footballer who plays as a prop, second-row and lock for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the NRL.
Lupeti Finau was a Tongan civil servant and politician. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly from 1978 until his death the following year.
