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| Rugby league in Tonga | |
|---|---|
| Country | Tonga |
| Governing body | Tonga National Rugby League (until 2019) Tonga Rugby League XIII (from 2024) |
| National teams | Men's Women's |
| First played | 1980s |
| International competitions | |
Rugby league is a popularteam sport played inTonga.
TheTongan national team was formed to enter the 1986Pacific Cup.
A domestic competition consisting of six clubs was launched in 1988.[1]
During theSuper League war, Tonga joined theNews Corp-backedSuper League in June 1995.[2][further explanation needed]
In February 2020,Tonga National Rugby League were expelled from theInternational Rugby League (IRL)[3] following refusal to enact necessary changes after the conclusion of an investigation by the IRL.[4] Said investigation came afterSemisi Sika, then acting Prime Minister of Tonga, wrote to IRL expressing concerns that he had lost confidence in the governing body.[5] The expulsion did not affect the national team as the IRL had ordered Tonga to fulfil a fixture withGreat Britain which was arranged before the investigation, setting a precedent for future matches,[5] a game which Tonga National Rugby League wanted removed from official test records (despite winning) as they were not governing the national team.[6]
In Autumn 2023, Tonga became the first Pacific Island Nation to tour a European Nation with theirtour of England.[7]
On 22 August 2024, Tonga were re admitted to the IRL under the new governance ofTonga Rugby League XIII.[8]
The Tongan rugby league competition comprises 12 teams in the first division, and 7 in the second. Following the2017 Rugby League World Cup, the competition was renamed theJason Taumalolo Cup. Age-restricted competitions were also named forManu Vatuvei,Solomone Kata,Konrad Hurrell andTuimoala Lolohea.[9]
The 12 teams in the first division are:
The 7 teams in the second division are:
There are 10 first division sides in the Global Insurance Cup and there are 9 in the second division. Only Kolomu'a Warriors (One of two Nuku'alofa Clubs) and the Vaini Doves have first and second division sides. The First Division sides have been, to a greater extent, regular participants in the competition since the inception of League in 1988. Those sides are Kolomu'a, Vaini, Mu'a Saints, Silapeluua (Ha'ateiho) Crusaders, Lapaha Knights, Ha'akame Broncos, Hihifo Rovers, Havelu Bulldogs, Halaloto Barbarians and Nakolo Raiders. The Second Division consists of a number of clubs that have participated infrequently over a number of years. However, regulars in the Second Division are Fatumu, Ha'ateiho Spartans and Ngalukilo Stormers.
The most recent competition (2013) was won by the Kolomua Warriors who defeated the Ha'akame Broncos in the grand final at Teufaiva Stadium in front of approximately 2 000 spectators.
Secondary Schools Competition started in 2007 with 5 teams in the under 18s competition and 8 teams in the Under 16s. Takuilau High School won the Under 18s competition and Liahona High School won the Under 16s competition. It is the largest number of teams and players participating in rugby league in Tongan history, with the National Schools Committee starting the Under 12s, Under 14s and Under 15s in 2008.
In 2013 the Secondary Schools Competition featured 8 schools with teams competing in Under 13s, Under 15s, Under 17's and Open's competitions. Tupou High School finished open age champions with Tonga College winning the U17's and Tupou College winning the Under 15's and U13's competition. Primary school rugby league was also introduced with Maufanga/Fanga and ACTS Community School winning the inaugural tournaments.
TNRL estimate that there are roughly 1,500 players playing rugby league in Tonga for 2007.[10]
Themen's national team was formed in 1986 to enter the 1986Pacific Cup. They have competed at fiveRugby League World Cups (1995,2000,2008,2013, and2017). They achieved their best result as semi-finalists in 2017.
Thewomen's national team was formed in 2003 for the2003 Women's Rugby League World Cup. They competed at their second World Cup in2008.
