Tonga women's national rugby union team

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.

Tonga
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname'Ikale Tahi
UnionTonga Rugby Union
Head coachNili Latu
First colours
Second colours
World Rugby ranking
Current27 (as of 15 July 2024)
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

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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

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(Full internationals only, updated to 24 May 2024)

Tonga Internationals From 2006
Opponent First Match Played Won Drawn Lost Win %
  Fiji 2006 5 0 0 5 0.00%
  PNG 2018 5 5 0 0 100.00%
  Samoa 2006 6 0 0 6 0.00%
Summary 16 5 0 11 31.25%

Players

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Recent squad

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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

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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

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  1. ^ "Sport: Fijiana 15s women expecting tough title defence". RNZ. 2018-11-16. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  2. ^ "Fiji win Oceania Rugby Women's Championship title". www.rugbyworldcup.com. 2018-11-24. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  3. ^ a b c "Oceania-qualification for women's Rugby World Cup revised". Loop. 24 November 2019. Archived from the original on 27 November 2019.
  4. ^ "Fijiana win Oceania Rugby Womens Championship in a thriller". oceania.rugby. 2022-07-17. Retrieved 2022-07-18.
  5. ^ "Tonga Rugby Union". www.facebook.com. 2023-05-19. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
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