On 24 September, Kurt Morath and Nafi Tuitavake were ruled out for the remainder of the tournament following injuries sustained in Tonga's opening match against England. Pacific Nations Cup title on the line in Suva. The Newcastle scrum-half and goal kicker has been an invaluable asset to the ‘Ikale Tahi since he first joined the team in 2014. World Rugby maintains strong focus on integrity ahead of RWC 2019. In order to reach the quarter-finals in Japan, Tonga will likely have to win three matches in Pool C. Kefu has included just one home-based player in his squad as he pursues that target, with the other 30 players representing clubs in New Zealand, Australia, England, France, Scotland and the USA. We use cookies to help make our sites function properly.
QUOTE, UNQUOTE “The win tonight, you probably don’t know what it means to me and the people back in Tonga … I think in Tonga right now, they are going crazy.” – Tonga coach Isitolo Maka on his country’s finest victory. The big flanker has earned the new nickname 'Zane the Train' after his colossal hit on England's Billy Vunipola. Tonga captain Piutau vows to honour late sister. Youth worker Lolohea keeping it real in Japan. Tongan duo relive their famous victory over France. Another role model is Tonga’s head coach. Tonga lost their opening match at the 2015 World Cup to Georgia and ended up fourth in their pool so had to qualify for Japan, and results since then have been unspectacular.
Twenty national teams will compete, and each will bring a 31-man squad containing no regulated number of players per-position to the tournament. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited these sites and will not be able to monitor their performance.
Everything you need to follow Tonga's campaign. They finished second-to-last in the Pacific Nations Cup this year, losing to Samoa 25-17 and Japan 41-7. The ‘Ikale Tahi are placed in the “Pool of Death” where they face England, France, Argentina and the United States. Both sides ended the pool stages with two wins apiece but Les Bleus qualified for the quarter-finals as runners-up to the All Blacks after picking up three bonus points to Tonga’s one. Piutau hopes to celebrate 34th birthday with another Tonga victory party. The player-of-the-match award, a try and even a conversion give Siale Piutau the perfect finish to his international career and Tonga a winning end to their World Cup. With less than two weeks to go until Japan plays Russia in the opening match of Rugby World Cup 2019, Asia’s first Rugby World Cup is capturing the imagination of the host nation and the global rugby family with official travel and hospitality package sales exceeding all expectations. Nili Latu also became his country’s most-capped player with this his 42nd test appearance. Strengths – Unlike their neighbours the flying Fijians, Tonga’s strength has traditionally been in the pack and 13 of the 19 forwards in their squad for this summer’s Pacific Nations Cup play for clubs in top-level leagues compared to five of 13 backs. Nasi Manu says being at Rugby World Cup 2019 is “emotional and surreal” after his gruelling recovery from testicular cancer. Red letter day – An estimated 6,000 fans turned out to support Tonga at RWC 2011 in New Zealand, and the red and white clad hordes were left basking in a famous victory after the 19-14 win over France. Tonga played in Pool A.
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Predictions game: your chance to choose the finalists. Family comes first as Tonga's Piutau makes a birthday farewell. Telusa Veainu and Jack Ram both grabbed a brace of tries apiece and Latiume Fosita scored another as the 'Ikale Tahi notched their 99th win in test rugby.
The talent behind the scrum is headed by tricky Newcastle scrum-half Sonatane Takulua and powerful Bath winger Cooper Vuna. Tonga ended the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup 2019 on a high as they secured a 33-23 victory over Canada at Churchill Park in Fiji. Forwards: Siegfried ‘Fisiihoi, Vunipola Fifita, Latu ‘Talakai, Paula ‘Ngauamo, Sosefo ‘Sakalia, Siua Maile, Siua ‘Halanukonuka, Ma’afu Fia, Ben Tameifuna, Sam Lousi, Leva Fifita, Sitiveni Mafi, Sione Kalamafoni, Maama ‘Vaipulu, Fotu ‘Lokotui, Zane ‘Kapeli, Dan Faleafa, Nasi Manu. Tonga's Morath relishing tough England opener. They began brilliantly, with Sukanaivalu Hufanga scoring his second try in as many matches to give them an early 10-3 lead. Helping troubled youngsters through the tough times gives Tonga winger perspective during World Cup adventure. They did win two matches at each of the 2007 and 2011 editions, beating eventual runners-up France at the latter tournament only to miss out on a place in the last eight on bonus points. Georgia count cost of Fiji victory in rankings fall. “Seeing someone who has beaten the All Blacks is proof in itself that it can be done,” said Kefu. Necessary cookies enable basic functionality on our sites such as page navigation, access to secure areas, authenticating logins, and the delivery of other core functions. Losing 17-10 to the lower-ranked Georgia in their opening match at Kingsholm was a bitter pill to swallow.
If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited these sites and will not be able to monitor their performance. Rugby World Cup Limited © 2007 - 2020. Tonga are the only side at the 2019 World Cup who had no players in their original 31-man squad that played club rugby domestically.
Latiume Fosita and Fetuli Paea replaced them.
Sea Eagles Siale Piutau and Sione Kalamafoni reflect on one of the biggest upsets in Rugby World Cup history. Kefu makes minor tweaks to Tonga team to tackle France. Itoje aware of danger signs as England prepare to face Tonga. We use cookies to help make our sites function properly. We become more motivated and we play stronger. This category of cookies cannot be disabled on our sites. RWC 2019 official travel and hospitality programme exceeds expectations. Their warm-up game against New Zealand was their 19th since the last World Cup – it was the All Blacks’ 47th. 7:13 Oct 18 12428. Captain to break Tonga's World Cup appearance record as improving Sea Eagles change three for USA game. We would also like to use cookies to continually improve our sites, offer you a better experience and deliver personalised content to you. From a spectacular opening ceremony, packed stadia and fanzones, record broadcast and social media figures to superb action and emotional scenes in Kamaishi, it has been a spectacular start to Rugby World Cup 2019. Scrum-half amazed at how far the ball flies in indoor stadium where his team face England in their Pool C opener. 'I don't think anybody knows what I've been through' says Tonga veteran Nasi Manu, who had months of chemotherapy before being cleared to play.
I just got to give them belief and discipline to win.”. Tonga fly-half James Faiva proves combine initiative can yield rich harvest. Like other Pacific Island nations Fiji and Samoa, Tonga has struggled to finance and reward its rugby players. England's attack coach Scott Wisemantel praises World Rugby scheme for successfully identifying and nurturing Tier 2 talent. Tonga head coach Toutai Kefu set his sights on delivering a first-ever Rugby World Cup quarter-final for the Pacific Island nation after announcing a 31-man squad for Japan 2019. “It’s a massive challenge for us but I think the bigger the obstacles the better. Disappointed but unbowed, Tonga went into their final pool match against England brimming with confidence.
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