The Tonga women's national rugby union team (Tongan: timi feohi ʻakapulu fakafonua fefine ʻa Tonga) are a national sporting side of Tonga, representing them at rugby union. They compete annually in the Oceania Rugby Women's Championship.
 | |||
| Nickname(s) | 'Ikale Tahi | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Union | Tonga Rugby Union | ||
| Head coach | Nili Latu | ||
| |||
| World Rugby ranking | |||
| Current | 29 (as of 4 December 2023) | ||
| First international | |||
Tonga  5–52  Fiji(Teufaiva Park, Nuku’alofa; 18 April 2006) | |||
| Biggest win | |||
Tonga 108–7  Papua New Guinea(Massey Park, Auckland; 18 July 2022) | |||
| Biggest defeat | |||
Samoa  68–7 Tonga(Churchill Park, Lautoka; 20 November 2018) | |||
History edit
Tonga played their first international test match against Fiji in 2006 at the Women's Pacific Tri-Nations. Tonga joined the Oceania Rugby Women's Championship in 2018.[1] They recorded their first and biggest win at the 2018 Oceania Championship over Papua New Guinea with a score of 62–26.[2]
There was a measles outbreak in Tonga in 2019, so the team had to withdraw from the Oceania Championship when a player was suspected of having measles.[3] The tournament also acted as a qualifier for the 2021 Rugby World Cup and was revised to allow Tonga to compete for the Oceania berth. Fiji won the Oceania regions only spot and qualified for the World Cup.[3]
In 2020 Tonga played Papua New Guinea and Samoa in a Repechage qualifier playoff for a spot in the Final Qualification Tournament for the 2021 World Cup. Samoa were the team to progress.[3]
Tonga placed third at the 2022 Oceania Rugby Championship.[4]
Results summary edit
(Full internationals only, updated to 18 July 2022)
| Opponent | First Match | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiji |
2006 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 32 | 184 | 0.00% |
| PNG |
2018 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 236 | 79 | 100.00% |
| Samoa |
2006 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 34 | 262 | 0.00% |
| Summary | 2006 | 13 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 302 | 525 | 25% |
Players edit
Recent squad edit
Tonga named a 27-player squad for the 2023 Oceania Rugby Women's Championship.[5]
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Angelina Lomu |  East Palo Alto Razorhawks
|
| Asipau Mafi |  Melbourne Rebels
|
| Chantelle Kulaea Akanesi Latu | Melbourne Rebels
|
| Daniella Walko-Siua | Cleveland Rugby / Roots Rugby
|
| Fehi Schaaf | Sacramento Amazons
|
| Lavinia Tauhalaliku |  Manurewa
|
| Leonia Tauelangi | Sunnybank Dragons
|
| Loketi Serenity Mahoni | West Harbour RFC
|
| Losalio Sita Payne | GPS Rugby
|
| Luana Selina Tongia | Sunnybank Dragons
|
| Lu'isa Sikata Pita | Hihifo / Bond University
|
| Monioca Naomi Kay Drollett Mo'ale | ACT Brumbies
|
| Mosiana Lesley Ann Talanoa Ulupano | Kolomotu'a RC
|
| Neomai Tiulipe Ofangaki Vunga | Kolomotu'a RC
|
| Seini Palu | Western Suburbs RU
|
| Seli Lisa-Netti Mailangi | Gordon RFC
|
| Seneti Kilisimasi | NSW Waratahs
|
| Shonte To'a | ACT Brumbies
|
| Siale Alatini | Life West Gladiatrix
|
| Siu Taula Green | Sacramento Amazons
|
| Siunipa Lesieli Pahulu | Houmale'eia RC / Ngele'ia RC
|
| Siutiti Vea Angalau Ma'ake | Kolomotu'a RC
|
| Sokopeti Jessica Akau'ola | Havelu / Ngele'ia RC
|
| Tohuia Kaihau | Sacramento Amazons
|
| Tonga Leilani Tuiaki | Hihifo / Houmale'eia RC
|
| Tupou Veiongo Kolomatangi-Lamipeti | Queensland Reds
|
| Victoria Vea | H.E.B Lady Hurricanes
|
Coaching Staff edit
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Nili Latu | Head Coach |
| Eddie Aholelei | Forwards Coach |
| Tina Latu | Backs Coach |
| Pula Kolokihakaufusi | Strength & Conditioning Coach |
| Alyssa Ilaisa'ane Le | Manager |
| Seluvaia Taunaholo | Team Doctor |
| Makasiamane Taulangovak | Team Physio |
References edit
- ^ "Sport: Fijiana 15s women expecting tough title defence". RNZ. 2018-11-16. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
- ^ "Fiji win Oceania Rugby Women's Championship title". www.rugbyworldcup.com. 2018-11-24. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
- ^ a b c "Oceania-qualification for women's Rugby World Cup revised". Loop. 24 November 2019. Archived from the original on 27 November 2019.
- ^ "Fijiana win Oceania Rugby Womens Championship in a thriller". oceania.rugby. 2022-07-17. Retrieved 2022-07-18.
- ^ "Tonga Rugby Union". www.facebook.com. 2023-05-19. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
External links edit
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