Tonga Reach RWC2011

Tonga, ranked 12th in the IRB World Rankings, have qualified for all but the 1991 Rugby World Cup Finals. This time round Tonga qualified thanks to finishing third in their pool in 2007 and take their place in Pool A along with hosts New Zealand, Canada, France and Asia 1.

RWC 2007 Tonga a great performance

Until the 2007 competition Tonga only had two Rugby World Cup game wins under their belt one against the Ivory Coast in South Africa (1991) the other a much more creditible victory was against Italy in 1999. 2003 saw them beaten in every pool game though they did run Wales close only losing 20-27. In 2007 everything changed as Tonga won 2 of their pool matches and nearly defeated the eventual champions, South Africa, in one of the most memorable and exciting games of the tournament, eventually going down 30-25. However, Tonga finished 3rd in their pool and failed to advance to the Quarter Finals when they lost to England 20-36 in another hard-fought match.

Tongan The Friendly Isles

Tonga is another pacific island nation, stretching over 169 volcanic islands. Known as the friendly isles a name given to them when Captain Cook visited however, as the other Polynesian rugby teams, they start their matches with their own war dance, the Tongans is called "sipi-tau" a sight which many teams would not call friendly.

Tonga have new shirts for this years Cup. The shirt has changed considerably from previous versions the predominant colour is still red with white side, but the sleeves now sport attractive patterns in white they certainly are distinctive. To place your order and view other Tonga shirts visit the Tonga Shirts page

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Tonga In Pool 'A'

Tonga take their place in Pool A along with hosts New Zealand, Canada, France and Asia 1. Expect the islanders to punch above their weight again in new Zealand but we cannot see them getting past New Zealand and France and out of the pool stages.

Tonga News

David Campese will help coach Tongas Sevens - David Campese has agreed to help coach Tongas national Sevens squad at the Wellington, Hong Kong and Adelaide legs of the IRB Sevens World Series in 2010 as part of a new association with the countrys rugby scene

England face Australia in quarters - England secure a Quarter-Final spot against Australia in the Velodrome, Marseille on October 6

Nili Latu skippers Tonga versus England - Tonga captain Nili Latu has been passed fit to play in Friday's winner-takes-all game against England in Parc des Princes, Paris on Friday, 28 September with Kick-off: 2000 BST

Vickery on the bench for Tonga game - England captain Phil Vickery will only be a replacement for the must-win World Cup clash with Tonga, in the Parc de Princes Paris on Friday 28 September with a 2000 BST ko

South Africa 30 Tonga 25 - In arguably the best game in the tournament so far Tonga pushed the Springboks all the way to the final whistle