Team Guide: Tonga
Background information
Tonga participated in six World Cups
They had never hosted or won a World Cup
Their best place at a World Cup was the pool stages.
They had six different coaches and six different captains at World Cups.
Tonga had only scored 35 tries at World Cups.
1987
Fakahau Valu led Tonga in their first World Cup.
They were sent an invite to participate in the tournament.
Tonga was knocked-out in the pool stages, after they lost all their pool games.
Tonga conceded (98) more points than they collected (29).
Their biggest loosing margin was 33points against Canada.
Tonga had only scored three tries in the tournament.
1991
Did not qualify
1995
Tonga participated in their second World Cup.
They qualified through regional qualifiers.
Tonga was knocked-out in the pool stages, after they came third in their pool.
Tonga’s only win in the tournament came against Ivory Coast- with a 29-11 victory.
Tonga conceded (90) more points than they collected (44).
Sateki Tu'ipulotu contributed 19 out of Tonga 44 points.
Tonga had scored four five in the tournament.
1999
Tonga participated in their third World Cup.
They qualified through regional qualifiers.
Polutele Tu'ihalamaka coached the team, while Salesi Finau was captain.
Tonga was knocked-out in the pool stages, after they came third in their pool.
Tonga’s only win in the tournament came against Italy- with a 28-25 victory.
Tonga conceded (171) more points than they collected (48).
Tonga scored four tries in the tournament.
2003
Tonga participated in their fourth World Cup.
They qualified through regional qualifiers.
Jim Love coached the team, while was captain.
Tonga was knocked-out in the pool stages, after they came last in their pool.
Tonga conceded (178) more points than they collected (46).
Tonga scored seven tries in the tournament.
Tonga biggest loosing margin was 84 points, when they lost 91-7 against New Zealand.
2007
Tonga participated in their fifth World Cup.
They qualified through regional qualifiers.
Quddus Fielea coached the team, while Nili Latu was captain.
Tonga was knocked-out in the pool stages, after they came third in their pool.
Tonga conceded (96) more points than they collected (89).
Tonga scored nine tries in the tournament.
Tonga biggest winning margin was 10 points, when they won the United States 25-15, in a pool game.
2011
Tonga participated in their sixth World Cup.
Tonga received automatic qualification due to them ending third in there group of the previous tournament.
Isitolo Maka coached the team, while Finau Maka was captain.
Tonga was knocked-out in the pool stages, after they came third in their pool.
Tonga conceded (98) more points than they collected (80).
Tonga biggest winning margin was 13 points, when they won Japan 31-18, in a pool game.
Kurt Morath contributed 45 out of Tonga’s 80points.
Tonga scored seven tries in the tournament.
