RWC 2019 – The Competitors – Tonga

With a population of 0.106 million Tonga is to be the smallest competitor at RWC 2019. Yet the size of the Tongan players more than makes up for any perceived shortage in player resources.

At RWCs Tonga has long defied the odds. In fact long before the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987 Tonga had established a fierce reputation, as underlined by defeating Australia in Brisbane in 1973.

The 1973 has left a lasting impression while the same can be said of results recorded by the Pacific Island country in RWC tournaments. In 1999 Tonga completed a spectacular win over Italy in Leicester, a result which would take some serious beating. Those waiting would be rewarded as in 2011 Tonga produced one of the biggest RWC upsets of all time in defeating France in Wellington, New Zealand.

Such phenomenal achievements underline the importance of bringing ones best game to the rugby stadium to take-on Tonga. Both Argentina, and the USA will be advised to do so in Osaka, Japan in RWC 2019.

 

WORLD CUP HISTORY

RWC	FINAL PLACING	RESULTS
1987	Group Stage	Lost vs Canada, Ireland, Wales
1991	Did Not Qualify	–
1995	Group Stage	Won vs Côte d’Ivoire Lost vs France, Scotland
1999	Group Stage	Won vs Italy Lost vs England, New Zealand
2003	Group Stage	Lost vs Canada, Italy, New Zealand, Wales
2007	Group Stage	Won vs Samoa, USA Lost vs England, South Africa
2011	Group Stage	Won vs France, Japan Lost vs Canada, New Zealand
2015	Group Stage	Won vs Namibia Lost vs Argentina, Georgia, New Zealand

Overall Record: Played 25, Won 7, Lost 18

 

RWC 2019 SCHEDULE

Tonga will compete in the toughest pool in RWC history. Never before has there been a pool consisting of  teams of this nature. It contains three prior RWC Semi Finalists, and the Tier 2 side happens to have defeated Scotland 12 months ago.

The match venues allocated to Tonga will see the Pacific Islanders playing their first and third matches in the northern and southern most locations of the tournament. Games two and four will see Tonga playing in the relatively central location of Osaka.

This will represent a trip of over 1,500 km from Sapporo to Osaka. The southern city of Kumamoto is also unfavorable, as Tonga will be required to travel 700 km to Kumamoto to face France and then return to Osaka to face the USA.

There is, however,  silver lining and that comes in the form of Tonga’s match dates. For Tonga the dream of playing exclusively on weekends will be realized. Their campaign will begin in Sapporo against England on day three of the tournament and end in Osaka against the USA in Osaka on the final day of the pool phase. Considering what awaits the majority Tonga have a highly satisfactory match schedule.

DATE	OPPONENT	VENUE
Sun, Sept 22	England	Sapporo Dome, Sapporo
Sat, Sept 28	Argentina	Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Osaka
Sun, Oct 06	France	Kumamoto Stadium, Kumamoto
Sun, Oct 13	USA	Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Osaka

 

PREDICTED TRAVELING 31

Forwards: Sione Anga’aelangi (Biarritz, FR), Paul Ngauamo (Agen, FR), Sosefo Sakalia (Asia Pacific Dragons, SG), Paea Fa’anunu (Castres, FR), Tolu Fahamokioa (Wellington, NZ), Ma’afu Fia (Ospreys, UK), Siegfried Fisi’ihoi (Stade Français, FR), Ben Tameifuna (Racing 92, FR), Leva Fifita (Grenoble, FR), Sam Lousi (Hurricanes, NZ), Steve Mafi (Castres, FR), Daniel Faleafa (Coventry, UK), Mike Faleafa (Perpignan, FR), Sione Kalamafoni (Leicester Tigers, UK), Fotu Lokotui (Kagifa Samoa, WS), Nasi Manu (Benetton, IT), Sione Vailanu (Saracens, UK), Ma’ama Vaipulu (Castres, FR)

Backs: Leon Fukofuka (Kagifa Samoa, WS), Tane Takulua (Newcastle Falcons, UK), Kurt Morath (Doncaster Knights, UK), Latiume Fosita (Kagifa Samoa, WS), Siale Piutau (Bristol Bears, UK), Alaska Taufa (Grenoble, FR), Nafi Tuitavake (Northampton Saints, UK), Latu Vaeno (Taranaki, NZ), Daniel Kilioni (Grenoble, FR), Afa Pakalani (Eastwood, AU), Cooper Vuna (Bath, UK), Tevita Halaifonua (Coventry, UK), Telusa Veainu (Leicester Tigers, UK)

 

PROJECTED MATCH-DAY LINEUP

1 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, 2 Paul Ngauamo, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 4 Sam Lousi, 5 Steve Mafi, 6 Sione Kalamafoni, 7 Fotu Lokotui, 8 Nasi Manu, 9 Tane Takulua, 10 Kurt Morath, 11 Cooper Vuna, 12 Siale Piutau (capt.), 13 Alaska Taufa, 14 Daniel Kilioni, 15 Telusa Veainu

Replacements: 16 Sosefo Sakalia, 17 Tolu Fahamokioa, 18 Ma’afu Fia, 19 Leva Fifita, 20 Ma’ama Vaipulu, 21 Leon Fukofuka, 22 Latiume Fosita, 23 Afa Pakalani

Key Back: Siale Piutau
Key Forward: Ben Tameifuna
Talisman: Paul Ngauamo

 

RWC 2019 PREVIEW

Tonga won one and lost three matches at RWC 2015. This saw them needing to qualify via the Oceania regional phase for Japan 2019. They would do so by finishing behind Fiji, but ahead of Samoa to claim the Oceania 2 qualifying spot.

In general international competition during the RWC 2015-2019 cycle Tonga has had mixed results. On the plus side the Ikale Tahi claimed wins over Fiji, Italy, Romania, Samoa, Spain, and the USA. Yet they would also be beaten three times by Georgia and fall to a 74-24 loss against Wales.

Whether you are a causal rugby fan or a fanatic the might of Tonga is mandatory viewing. The team will be packed with ferocious defenders, and powerful ball-carriers. Yet based on the pool they have been drawn in achieving wins will be extremely difficult. The prognosis for Tonga is losses in all four pool matches to finish bottom of Pool C.

 

Week 1 – Italy
Week 2 – Fiji
Week 3 – Japan
Week 4 – England
Week 5 – Namibia
Week 6 – Wales
Week 7 – Samoa
Week 8 – France
Week 9 – South Africa
Week 10 – Georgia
Week 11 – Scotland
Week 12 – Tonga
Week 13 – New Zealand