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Rugby League in Tonga reaches Pacific heights

The idyllic island of Tonga is ranked fourth in the world, and with new clubs appearing, the long-term future looks bright.

by Todd Wain on 22 March 2007

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The Tongans warm-up at Widnes to face England (Gettyimages.com)

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On a cold, wintry November evening in Widnes, the Tongan National Rugby Lague team faced up against a youthful England team full of ambition. This game was a landmark for Rugby League in Tonga. After all the hope and promise followed by let-downs and near extinction, Tongan National Rugby League was at last showing its potential.

A nation of only 100,000 people in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, with Fiji to the west and Samoa to the north, this idyllic Pacific Island is an untouched paradise. Rugby League first came to the islands in 1986, with first international competition in the Pacific Cup in 1988.

As with many of the Pacific Islands, after early promise the game took a turn for the worse during the Super League, which not only affected the elite competitions in Europe and Australia but also the game in the Pacific Islands. This was followed by a fall in revenue from the 2000 Rugby League World Cup, and the banning of cigarette sponsorship in Tonga almost saw the game disappear.

However, with the work of a small band of volunteers and staff, the game in Tonga is finally beginning to show the promise it once had. Leagues are being set up in Tongatapu, 'Eua and Vava'u. More and more people are taking up the sport with teams springing up throughout the country.

On the international front, Tonga are now ranked fourth in the world, according to the Rugby League International Federation -- just below the big names of England, New Zealand and Australia. Even though the Federation Shield final resulted in a loss, the Tongans defeated Samoa to qualify for the 2008 World Cup as well as defeating France and putting up a respectable show against England.

The future of the game in Tonga looks to be in great shape and, who knows, another nailbiting finish could be in store for the island nation in the World Cup, just as the 1995 team showed against the mighty Kiwis. One thing is for sure; the game now has a long-term future on the international and domestic fronts -- thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Tongan people.

MATE MA'A TONGA!

Comments (9)

by league boy on March 22, 2007

i 100% agree with your comments, tongan rugby league is on the rise and what a boost for rugby league that tonga and all pacific islands are going from strengh to strengh in the game.

by Cheezel on March 22, 2007

Great to see Tonga getting a chance to play internationals. I look forward to watching Tonga in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup

by Johnathon Travens on March 23, 2007

Fantastic stuff from such a small nation. They can nearly field a team of all NRL and SuperLeague players. Finally, they get recognition they deserve. Can't wait for 08.

by dan on March 25, 2007

to all the national rugby league we were proud of your and please keep it up. God be with you and take you the maximum peak of your achievement.

by Graham Griffiths on April 03, 2007

A very heart-warming article for League fans. It seems that Polynesians generally are natural athletes, and some have aleady shown what they are capable of in Union: Jonah Lomu is Tongan, for example. With respect to the other code, though, I think that the Tongans' skills are probably more suited to League. Well done to the enthusiasts who are doing such a good job over there. Let's hope they get some encouragement from international rugby league.

by lee churchman on April 30, 2007

i think that tonga will make the semis in next years world cup in australia, but no futher, but come the world cup after that who knows, could even make the final if they can keep progressing at the rate that they are.

by Paul on June 20, 2007

Go Tonga!

by Vitor belfort on October 10, 2007

I'm a Proud Tongan born and bred in New Zealand. Tonga to be ranked 4th in the world is a huge achievement. There are so many Tongans now playing in the NRL and Superleague which is good to see. And it sadden's me to see Australia and New Zealand picking them up, when they should let tonga have there players so that the competition international wise will be good for Rugby League. But Anyways at the end of the day, it all comes down to which country the player wants to play for. eg. Willie Mason, Brent Kite, Israel Folau, Anthony Tupou, Antonio kaufusi players of Tongan descent for Australia. Manu Vatuvei, Taniela Tuiaki, Fuifui Moimoi, Louis Anderson, Vinnie Anderson, Epalahame Lauaki players of Tongan descent for New Zealand. Anyways Tonga will do well in next years worldcup... MATE MA'A TONGA!!!