Rugby union in Tonga: Facts, Discussion Forum, and Encyclopedia Article

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Rugby union in Tonga

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	Topics Rugby union in Tonga Topic Home Rugby union is the national sport of TongaTonga Overview Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga, , is an independent archipelago in the southern Pacific Ocean.... . Tonga are considered to be a tier 2 rugby nation by the International Rugby BoardInternational Rugby Board The International Rugby Board is the world governing and law-making body for the sport of rugby union, and previously for ru... . History Rugby was brought to the region in the early 20th Century by sailors and missionaries and the Tonga Rugby Football UnionTonga Rugby Football Union The Tonga Rugby Football Union are the governing body of the sport of rugby union in Tonga.... was formed in late 1923. Tonga beat FijiFiji national rugby union team country =Fiji\| logo = Fiji Rugby.jpg\| union = Fiji Rugby Union... 9-6 in their first test in 1924 played in the capital Nukualofa. Governing body Rugby union is governed by the Tonga Rugby Football UnionTonga Rugby Football Union The Tonga Rugby Football Union are the governing body of the sport of rugby union in Tonga.... who are also members of the Pacific Islands Rugby AlliancePacific Islands Rugby Alliance The Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance was set up in 2002 as a basis of co-operation between the Fiji, Samoa and Tonga Rugby Uni... . Tonga were awarded 'second tier' status by the International Rugby BoardInternational Rugby Board The International Rugby Board is the world governing and law-making body for the sport of rugby union, and previously for ru... which entitles them to funding from the IRB. Popularity Rugby union is the national sport of TongaTonga Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga, , is an independent archipelago in the southern Pacific Ocean.... and as in the rest of PolynesiaPolynesia Overview Polynesia is a large grouping of over 1,000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean.... is a way of life. Though Tongans are passionate rugby followers, the small population base means that internationally, Tongan rugby continually struggles. The International Rugby BoardInternational Rugby Board The International Rugby Board is the world governing and law-making body for the sport of rugby union, and previously for ru... (IRB) estimates that Tonga has a total of 800 registered senior players and twice as many juniors. Rugby is popular in the nation's schools and students from schools such as Tonga College and Tupou CollegeTupou College Tupou College is a Methodist boys' secondary boarding school in Toloa on the island of Tongatapu, Tonga.... , are regularly offered scholarships from New Zealand, Australia and JapanJapan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of China, Korea, and Russia, stretching from... . Jonah LomuFacts About Jonah Lomu Jonah Tali Lomu is a New Zealand rugby union footballer who has played 73 times as an All Black after debuting in 1994.... , Viliami (William) 'OfahengaueViliami Ofahengaue Viliami 'Ofahengaue was born May 3, 1968 in Tonga.... , Toutai KefuToutai Kefu Toutai Kefu is a rugby player who won 60 caps playing at Number eight for the Australian rugby union side.... , Finau MakaFacts About Finau Maka Finau Maka is a Tongan rugby union footballer.... , Charles Riechelmann and Pita AlatiniPita Alatini Pita Faiva-ki-moana Alatini is a Tongan-born New Zealand rugby union footballer.... and George SmithGeorge Smith (rugby player) George Smith is an Australian rugby union player.... are all of Tongan descent. The money coming back from Tongan players playing rugby abroad is Tonga's second biggest export after sugar. Competitions Datec Cup Provincial Championship The is the second highest level of competition within TongaTonga Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga, , is an independent archipelago in the southern Pacific Ocean.... n rugby union and is a stepping stone for local players into international rugby. Pacific Rugby Cup The IRB Pacific Rugby Cup started in 2006 and involves representative teams from the three Pacific rugby unions, Tonga along with Samoa and Fiji. Tonga has two sides in the tournament, Tau'uta RedsTau'uta Reds Overview Tau'uta Reds is one of the two Tongan rugby union teams for the Pacific Rugby Cup; the other team being Tautahi Gold.... and Tautahi GoldTautahi Gold Tautahi Gold is one of the two Tongan rugby union teams for the Pacific Rugby Cup; the other team being Tau'uta Reds.... . The aim of the tournamen is to improve the quality of rugby in the Pacific Islands. Representative teams National The national teamTonga national rugby union team country =Tonga\| logo = Tonga.gif\| union = Tonga Rugby Football Union... (Ikale Tahi) has performed quite well on the international stage. Tonga has competed at four Rugby World CupRugby World Cup The Rugby World Cup is the premier international rugby union competition in the world.... s, the first being in 19871987 Rugby World Cup The first Rugby World Cup was hosted by both New Zealand and Australia in 1987, and was won by the New Zealand.... , and its best result thus far was in 19951995 Rugby World Cup Overview The 1995 Rugby World Cup was the third Rugby World Cup.... when it reached the first round. Tonga also competes in the Pacific Tri-NationsPacific Tri-Nations The Pacific Tri-Nations is the traditional rugby union series between Tonga, Fiji and Western Samoa was established in 1982 ... and the IRB Pacific 5 NationsIRB Pacific 5 Nations The IRB Pacific 5 Nations is a new international rugby union competition held between five Pacific rim sides; Fiji, Japan, S... . At club level, there are the Datec Cup Provincial ChampionshipDatec Cup Provincial Championship The Datec Cup Provincial Championship is the second highest level of rugby union competition within Tongan rugby and is a st... and the Pacific Rugby CupPacific Rugby Cup The IRB Pacific Rugby Cup started in 2006 and involves representative teams from the three Pacific rugby unions - Fiji, Samo... . Rugby union is governed by the Tonga Rugby Football UnionTonga Rugby Football Union Summary The Tonga Rugby Football Union are the governing body of the sport of rugby union in Tonga.... , which is also a member of the Pacific Islands Rugby AlliancePacific Islands Rugby Alliance The Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance was set up in 2002 as a basis of co-operation between the Fiji, Samoa and Tonga Rugby Uni... . Tonga contributes to the Pacific Islanders rugby union teamPacific Islanders rugby union team Rugby union is as big a sport in Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa as it is in New Zealand but with the advent of professionalism they have b... . Tonga performs the KailaoKailao CibiSiva tau ... (Sipi Tau) before its matches. Pacific Tri-Nations The Pacific Tri-Nations is the series between TongaTonga national rugby union team country =Tonga\| logo = Tonga.gif\| union = Tonga Rugby Football Union... , FijiFiji national rugby union team country =Fiji\| logo = Fiji Rugby.jpg\| union = Fiji Rugby Union... and SamoaSamoa national rugby union team country =Samoa\| logo = Samoa Rugby.jpg... . It has been played since 1982. IRB Pacific 5 Nations The IRB Pacific 5 Nations is a competition held between five Pacific rimPacific Rim Summary Pacific Rim is a political and economic term used to designate the countries on the edges of the Pacific Ocean as well as th... sides; FijiFiji national rugby union team country =Fiji\| logo = Fiji Rugby.jpg\| union = Fiji Rugby Union... , JapanJapan national rugby union team Japan is traditionally the strongest rugby union power in Asia, with only occasional losses to Korean rivals in the region, ... , SamoaSamoa national rugby union team country =Samoa\| logo = Samoa Rugby.jpg... , TongaTonga national rugby union team country =Tonga\| logo = Tonga.gif\| union = Tonga Rugby Football Union... and the Junior All BlacksJunior All Blacks The Junior All Blacks is a New Zealand rugby team.... (New Zealand's second XV). National (sevens) See also Culture of TongaCulture of Tonga The Tongan archipelago has been inhabited for perhaps 3000 years, since settlement in late Lapita times.... External links