Tonga
Tue, 21 Aug 2001 14:48
Colours: Red and white
Nickname: Ikale Tahi (Sea Eagles)
Honours: None. World Cup appearances (1987, 1995, 1999)
Coach: Tonga have turned to the former New Zealand Maori player Jim Love. A former stalwart with the Marlbrough club in New Zealand, Love is also the Chief Executive of the New Zealand Sports Academy in Rotorua, and has endured a difficult task in moulding a cohesive unit of men from all corners of the globe.
Captain: Veteran lock Inoke Afeaki will assume the captaincy, having made his debut back in 1995 against France, and the Japan-based former Hurricanes and Wellington man can wield a considerable influence over affairs.
Player(s) to watch: Keep an eye on Ipolito Fenukitau, the former Brumbies hard man who resumes his Test career with Tonga after a Sevens appearance for Australia in 1998. The 31-year-old can play in the second and back row.
Unforunately for the national team, rugby is Tonga's main export. Islanders like Willie Ofahengaue, and brothers Steve and Toutai Kefu have played for Australia and Finau Maka, Charles Riechelmann and Pita Alatini have pulled on the black of New Zealand, as did the greatest player of Tongan ancestry - the mighty All Black winger Jonah Lomu.
Coming off a small base - a total population of just 100,000 and a playing population of under 800 seniors - Tonga is remarkably good at rugby.
Since their first Test in 1924 when Tonga beat Fiji, the greatest moment in Tonga's rugby history came in 1973 when they beat the might of Australia at Ballymore in Brisbane 16-11, scoring four tries to two, whilst their greatest home victory was that over a touring France in 1999.
Tonga go into the 2003 World Cup on the back of appearances in 1995 and 1999 where they beat Italy.
Like their Polynesian neighbours the Tongans start their matches with a war dance - the sipi tau.