Tonga at the Rugby World Cup
The Tonga national rugby union team has played in all Rugby World Cup tournaments, except in 1991, when they did not qualify. Their best performances were in the 2007 and 2011 tournaments, when they won two matches. Their best single match win was an upset victory in 2011 over eventual finalists France.
| Nation | Number of appearances | First appearance | Most recent appearance | Streak | Best result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Tonga |
8 | 1987 | 2019 | 7 | Two wins, 2007, 2011 |
By position
- 1987 Rugby World Cup Eliminated in pool stages.
- 1991 Rugby World Cup Did not qualify.
- 1995 Rugby World Cup Eliminated in pool stages.
- 1999 Rugby World Cup Eliminated in pool stages.
- 2003 Rugby World Cup Eliminated in pool stages.
- 2007 Rugby World Cup Eliminated in pool stages.
- 2011 Rugby World Cup Eliminated in pool stages.
- 2015 Rugby World Cup Eliminated in pool stages.
- 2019 Rugby World Cup Eliminated in pool stages.
By match
1987 Rugby World Cup
Pool 2 games - Template:1987 Rugby World Cup Pool 2
| 4 May 1987 |
Canada  | 37 – 4 | Tonga |
| Tries: Palmer (2) Vaesen (2) Stuart Frame Penalty try Con: Wyatt (2) Gareth Rees Pen: Rees | Try: Valu |
| McLean Park, Napier Referee: Clive Norling  |
| 29 May 1987 |
| Tonga | 16 – 29 | Wales |
| Tries: Fielea Fifita Con: Liavaʻa Pen: Liavaʻa Amone | Tries: Webbe (3) Hadley Con: Thorburn (2) Pen: Thorburn (2) Drop: Davies |
| Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North Referee: Dave Bishop  |
| 3 June 1987 |
Ireland  | 32 – 9 | Tonga |
| Tries: Mullin (3) MacNeill (2) Con: Ward (3) Pen: Ward (2) | Pen: Amone (3) |
| Ballymore, Brisbane Referee: Guy Maurette  |
1995 Rugby World Cup
Pool D games -
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| France
|
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 114 | 47 | +67 | 9 |
 Scotland
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 149 | 27 | +122 | 7 |
| Tonga
|
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 44 | 90 | −46 | 5 |
 Ivory Coast
|
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 29 | 172 | −143 | 3 |
Source: [citation needed]
| 26 May 1995 |
| France | 38 – 10 | Tonga |
| Tries: Thierry Lacroix (2), Aubin Hueber, Philippe Saint-André Con: Thierry Lacroix (3) Pen: Thierry Lacroix (3) Drop: Yann Delaigue | Tries: Tevita Vaʻenuku Con: Sateki Tu'ipulotu Pen: Sateki Tu'ipulotu |
| Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria Attendance: 25 000 Referee: Steve Lander  |
| 30 May 1995 |
| Scotland | 41 – 5 | Tonga |
| Tries: Scott Hastings, Eric Peters, Gavin Hastings Con: Gavin Hastings Pen: Gavin Hastings (8) | Tries: Ipolito Fenukitau |
| Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria Attendance: 21 000 Referee: Barry Leask  |
| 3 June 1995 |
| Ivory Coast | 11 – 29 | Tonga |
| Tries: Alfred Okou Pen: Athanase Dali (2) | Tries: Mana Otai, Sateki Tu'ipulotu, Pouvalu Latukefu Con: Sateki Tu'ipulotu (3) Pen: Sateki Tu'ipulotu |
| Olympia Park, Rustenburg Attendance: 16 000 Referee: Don Reordan  |
1999 Rugby World Cup
Pool B games -
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand
|
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 176 | 28 | +148 | 9 |
| England
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 184 | 47 | +137 | 7 |
| Tonga
|
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 47 | 171 | −124 | 5 |
 Italy
|
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 35 | 196 | −161 | 3 |
Source: [citation needed]
| 3 October 1999 |
| New Zealand | 45 – 9 | Tonga |
| Tries: Jonah Lomu (2), Byron Kelleher, Norm Maxwell, Josh Kronfeld Con: Andrew Mehrtens (4) Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (4) | Pen: Siua Taumalolo (3) |
| Ashton Gate, Bristol Attendance: 21,000 Referee: Derek Bevan |
| 10 October 1999 |
| Italy | 25 – 28 | Tonga |
| Tries: Alessandro Moscardi Con: Diego Dominguez Pen: Diego Dominguez (6) | Tries: Taunaholo Taufahema, 'Isileli Fatani, Sateki Tuipulotu Con: Sateki Tuipulotu (2) Pen: Sateki Tuipulotu (2) Drop: Sateki Tuipulotu |
| Welford Road, Leicester Referee: David McHugh  |
| 15 October 1999 |
| England | 101 – 10 | Tonga |
| Tries: Jeremy Guscott (2), Phil Greening (2), Dan Luger (2), Austin Healey (2), Will Greenwood (2), Matt Dawson, Matt Perry, Richard Hill Con: Paul Grayson (12) Pen: Paul Grayson (4) | Tries: Dave Tiueti Con: Sateki Tuipulotu Pen: Sateki Tuipulotu |
| Twickenham, London Attendance: 72,485 Referee: Wayne Erickson |
2003 Rugby World Cup
Group D games- Template:2003 Rugby World Cup Pool D
| 2003-10-15 |
| Italy | 36 – 12 | Tonga |
| Tries: M. Dallan, D. Dallan (2) Con: Wakarua (3) Pen: Wakarua (5) | Tries: Payne, Tu'ifua Con: Tu'ipulotu |
| Canberra Stadium Attendance: 18,967 Referee: Steve Walsh |
| 2003-10-19 |
| Wales | 27 – 20 | Tonga |
| Tries: Cooper, M. Williams Con: S. Jones Pen: S. Jones (4) Drop: M. Williams | Tries: Hola, Kivalu, Lavaka Con: Hola Pen: Hola |
| Canberra Stadium Attendance: 19,806 Referee: Paul Honiss |
| 2003-10-24 |
| New Zealand | 91 – 7 | Tonga |
| Tries: Braid, Carter, Flynn, Ralph (2), Spencer, Meeuws, Penalty try, Muliaina (2), MacDonald, Howlett (2) Con: MacDonald (12), Spencer | Tries: Hola Con: Tu'ipulotu |
| Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 47,588 Referee: Pablo De Luca  |
| 2003-10-29 |
| Canada | 24 – 7 | Tonga |
| Tries: Fauth, Abrams Con: Pritchard Pen: Ross (4) | Tries: Kivalu Con: Hola |
| WIN Stadium, Wollongong Attendance: 15,630 Referee: Alain Rolland |
Pool A matches - Template:2007 Rugby World Cup Pool A
| 12 September 2007 14:00 |
| United States | 15–25 | Tonga |
| Tries: MacDonald 47' m Stanfill 67' c Con: Hercus (1/2) Pen: Hercus (1/2) 33' | Report | Tries: Maka 2' c Vaka 59' m Vaki 70' c Con: Hola (2/3) Pen: Hola (2/2) 7', 26' |
| Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier Attendance: 25,000 Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia) |
| 16 September 2007 16:00 |
Samoa  | 15–19 | Tonga |
| Pen: Williams (5/6) 6', 21', 23', 29', 69' | Report | Try: Taione 60' c Con: Hola (1/1) Pen: Hola (4/5) 3', 38', 47', 67' |
| Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier Attendance: 24,128 Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa) |
| 22 September 2007 14:00 |
South Africa  | 30–25 | Tonga |
| Tries: Pienaar (2) 18' c, 65' m Smith 59' c Skinstad 62' m Con: Pretorius (1/1) Montgomery (1/3) Pen: Steyn (1/1) 54' Montgomery (1/1) 76' | Report | Tries: Pulu 44' c Hufanga 70' m Vaki 72' c Con: Hola (2/3) Pen: Hola (2/3) 9', 78' |
| Stade Félix Bollaert, Lens Attendance: 40,069 Referee: Wayne Barnes (England) |
| 28 September 2007 21:00 |
| England | 36–20 | Tonga |
| Tries: Sackey (2) 20' m, 38' m Tait 57' c Farrell 66' c Con: Wilkinson (2/4) Pen: Wilkinson (2/3) 14', 36' Drop: Wilkinson (2/2) 32', 72' | Report | Tries: Hufanga 17' c Pole 80' c Con: Hola (2/2) Pen: Hola (2/2) 11', 55' |
| Parc des Princes, Paris Attendance: 45,085 Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland) |
2011 Rugby World Cup
Tonga played in Pool A. After losing to New Zealand and Canada, they beat Japan and then had an upset victory over eventual finalists France, their greatest World Cup match result to date.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Zealand
|
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 240 | 49 | +191 | 36 | 4 | 20 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2015 Rugby World Cup |
| 2 |  France
|
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 124 | 96 | +28 | 13 | 3 | 11 | |
| 3 | Tonga
|
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 80 | 98 | −18 | 7 | 1 | 9 | Eliminated but qualified for 2015 Rugby World Cup |
| 4 | Canada
|
4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 82 | 168 | −86 | 9 | 0 | 6 | |
| 5 |  Japan
|
4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 69 | 184 | −115 | 8 | 0 | 2 |
Source: [citation needed]
| 9 September 2011 | New Zealand |
41–10 | Tonga |
Eden Park, Auckland |
| 14 September 2011 | Tonga |
20–25 | Canada |
Northland Events Centre, Whangarei |
| 21 September 2011 | Tonga |
31–18 | Japan |
Northland Events Centre, Whangarei |
| 1 October 2011 | France |
14–19 | Tonga |
Regional Stadium, Wellington |
2015 Rugby World Cup
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Zealand
|
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 174 | 49 | +125 | 25 | 3 | 19 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup |
| 2 | Argentina
|
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 179 | 70 | +109 | 22 | 3 | 15 | |
| 3 |  Georgia
|
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 53 | 123 | −70 | 5 | 0 | 8 | Eliminated but qualified for 2019 Rugby World Cup |
| 4 | Tonga
|
4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 70 | 130 | −60 | 8 | 2 | 6 | |
| 5 |  Namibia
|
4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 70 | 174 | −104 | 8 | 1 | 1 |
Source: [citation needed]
| 19 September 2015 | Tonga |
10–17 | Georgia |
Kingsholm, Gloucester |
| 29 September 2015 | Tonga |
35–21 | Namibia |
Sandy Park, Exeter |
| 4 October 2015 | Argentina |
45–16 | Tonga |
Leicester City Stadium, Leicester |
| 9 October 2015 | New Zealand |
47–9 | Tonga |
St. James' Park, Newcastle |
2019 Rugby World Cup
Pool C Template:2019 Rugby World Cup Pool C
| 22 September 2019 19:15 JST (UTC+09) |
| (1 BP) England | 35–3 | Tonga |
| Try: Tuilagi (2) 24' m, 31' c George 57' c Cowan-Dickie 77' c Con: Farrell (3/4) 33', 58', 78' Pen: Farrell (3/3) 11', 37', 43' | Report | Pen: Takulua (1/1) 15' |
| Sapporo Dome, Sapporo Attendance: 35,923 Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand) |
| 28 September 2019 13:45 JST (UTC+09) |
| (1 BP) Argentina | 28–12 | Tonga |
| Try: Montoya (3) 7' c, 17' c, 26' c Carreras 20' c Con: Urdapilleta (4/4) 9', 19', 21', 28' | Report | Try: Veainu (2) 30' c, 66' m Con: Takulua (1/2) 32' |
| Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Higashiōsaka Attendance: 21,971 Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) |
| 6 October 2019 16:45 JST (UTC+09) |
| France | 23–21 | Tonga (1 BP) |
| Try: Vakatawa 6' c Raka 32' c Con: Ntamack (2/2) 7', 34' Pen: Ntamack (3/4) 4', 52', 60' | Report | Try: Takulua 40' c Hingano 47' c Kapeli 79' c Con: Takulua (2/2) 40'+1, 49' Fosita (1/1) 80' |
| Kumamoto Stadium, Kumamoto Attendance: 28,477 Referee: Nic Berry (Australia) |
| 13 October 2019 14:45 JST (UTC+09) |
| United States | 19–31 | Tonga (1 BP) |
| Try: Te'o (2) 21' c, 26' m Lamborn 77' c Con: MacGinty (2/3) 22', 78' | Report | Try: Fisiihoi 17' c Hingano 58' c Piutau 62' c Veainu 80'+1 c Con: Takulua (2/2) 19', 60' Faiva (1/1) 64' Piutau (1/1) 80+2' Pen: Takulua (1/1) 51' |
| Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Higashiōsaka Attendance: 22,012 Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales) |
Hosting
So far Tonga has not hosted any World Cup games, and has not put in bids for future tournaments. Due to the lack of facilities, and the small size of the island nation, it is unlikely it will do so in the future.
References
- Davies, Gerald (2004) The History of the Rugby World Cup (Sanctuary Publishing Ltd, (ISBN 1860746020)
- Farr-Jones, Nick, (2003). Story of the Rugby World Cup, Australian Post Corporation, (ISBN 0-642-36811-2)