 | |||
| Nickname | ʻIkale Tahi (The Sea Eagles) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Emblem | White dove | ||
| Union | Tonga Rugby Union | ||
| Head coach | Tevita Tuʻifua | ||
| Captain | Ben Tameifuna | ||
| Mostcaps | Sonatane Takulua (58) | ||
| Top scorer | Kurt Morath (340) | ||
| Top try scorer | Fetuʻu Vainikolo & Sonatane Takulua (17) | ||
| Home stadium | Teufaiva Sport Stadium | ||
| |||
| World Rugby ranking | |||
| Current | 19 (as of 18 November 2024) | ||
| Highest | 9 (2011, 2012) | ||
| Lowest | 20 (2005, 2006) | ||
| First international | |||
 Tonga 9–6Fiji  (Nukuʻalofa, Tonga; 25 August 1924) | |||
| Biggest win | |||
Tonga 119–0South Korea  (Nukuʻalofa, Tonga; 22 March 2003) | |||
| Biggest defeat | |||
 New Zealand 102–0Tonga (Auckland, New Zealand; 16 June 2000) New Zealand 102–0Tonga (Auckland, New Zealand; 3 July 2021) | |||
| World Cup | |||
| Appearances | 9 (first in1987) | ||
| Best result | Pool stage (1987,1995,1999,2003,2007,2011,2015,2019,2023) | ||
Medal record | |||
TheTonga national rugby union team (Tongan:timi feohi ʻakapulu fakafonua ʻa Tonga) representsTonga in men's internationalrugby union. The team is nicknamedʻIkale Tahi (Sea Eagles) and is governed by theTonga Rugby Union. Like their Polynesian neighbours, the Tongans precede their matches with a traditional challenge – theSipi Tau. They are members of thePacific Islands Rugby Alliance (PIRA) along withFiji andSamoa. The Ikale Tahi achieved a historic 19–14 victory over France in the2011 Rugby World Cup, but having lost toNew Zealand andCanada, were unable to achieve what would have been their first-ever presence at the quarter-finals.
Rugby was brought to the region in the early 20th century by sailors and missionaries, and theTonga Rugby Football Union was formed in late 1923. Tonga beatFiji 9–6 in their first test in 1924 played in the capitalNukuʻalofa. However, Tonga lost the second test 14–3 and drew the decider 0–0.
Between 1924 and 1938 Tonga and Fiji played three test series every alternate year. Matches between the two Pacific nations were hard fought; many have claimed that the ancient feuding wars between the Islanders were transplanted onto the rugby field. Troubles during the third Test of Fiji's 1928 tour to Tonga forced the game to be abandoned with Tonga leading 11–8. In 1954 Tonga played host to a touring Western Samoa.
Tonga beatNew Zealand Maori[1] in 1969, but had to wait until 1973 before they played their second test match, a 30–12 defeat against Australia in Sydney. They got their revenge when they beat Australia in Ballymore,Brisbane 16–11, scoring four tries to two in June 1973. The following year they traveled to the Arms Park for a non-cap international againstWales, a game that ended in a 26–7 defeat.
The first Tongan tour to Great Britain was in 1974, when they played 10 games, including those in Wales against East Wales,Llanelli, North Wales,Newport, West Wales and a Wales XV. The only tour victory was by 18–13 in the opener against East Wales. The 'tests' were lost by 44–8 to a Scotland XV and by 26–7 to the Wales XV.
They remained a little-known quantity in Europe until 1986, when Wales embarked on a tour of Fiji, Tonga and Western Samoa. Early in the game against Tonga, Welsh flanker Mark Brown was knocked over by three Tongan forwards, leading to a mass brawl involving the entire team except Malcolm Dacey and Mark Titley.Robert Jones describes the event in his bookRaising The Dragon as "the worst brawl I have ever seen on a rugby field." At the post-match dinnerJonathan Davies was asked to give a few words in Welsh and as the hosts politely applauded he described them as "the dirtiest team I have ever played against"[2][3]
Tonga were drawn to play Wales again in the inaugural1987 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. The previous meeting, plus the decision to rest some of the leading players, led to a poor Welsh performance though they managed to win 29–16. Tonga lost its other two games to Ireland (32–9) and Canada (37–4).
They failed to qualify for the1991 Rugby World Cup. In 1994 they won the South Pacific championship on try count and so qualified for theSuper 10, in which they finished bottom of their pool with only one point.
They qualified for the1995 World Cup ahead of Fiji on points difference. Tonga managed only two victories in the next two World Cups, against the 29–11Côte d'Ivoire in 1995 andItaly in 1999. The win over the Côte d'Ivoire brought tragedy when Ivorian winger Max Brito was left paralysed.
June 1999 brought a 20–16 defeat ofFrance inNukuʻalofa over a touring France but in 2000 they were defeated 102–0 (including 15 tries) byNew Zealand.
After losing their first four matches to Fiji and Samoa, Tonga finished third in the Oceania qualifying group. As a result, they had to play home and away matches against Papua New Guinea, which they won 47–14 and 84–12, followed by a play-off against South Korea, who finished as runners-up in the Asian section. Tonga thrashed them 75–0 and 119–0.
At the2003 Rugby World Cup Tonga lost all their games and finished bottom of their pool. Although they kept Wales to 20–27, they were again thrashed by New Zealand 91–7.
In 2007 Tonga participated in the2007 Rugby World Cup, winning two of their pool matches and nearly defeating the eventual champions, South Africa, before losing 30–25.
Tonga achieved one of the most unexpected victories in Rugby World Cup history with their 19–14 win over France in the 2011 World Cup.[4]
On 24 November 2012, Tonga beatScotland, atPittodrie Stadium, 21–15 for their first victory over a traditional rugby power on a European pitch.
Like several Pacific rugby nations, Tonga has a pre-game war dance, called the Sipi Tau. It is a form of theKailao, which was originally a war dance that was imported to Tonga fromWallis Island. It is usually performed at both public and private ceremonies.
During the2003 Rugby World Cup inAustralia, in Tonga's match againstNew Zealand, the All Blacks began their traditionalhaka, and then Tonga answered to the haka through the Sipi Tau while the All Blacks were performing, bringing the teams within metres of one another just prior to kick-off.[5]
| Rank | Change[i] | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |  South Africa | 93.06 |
| 2 | | New Zealand | 90.33 |
| 3 |  1 |  England | 89.09 |
| 4 |  1 |  Ireland | 88.85 |
| 5 | |  France | 87.07 |
| 6 | |  Argentina | 85.30 |
| 7 | |  Australia | 81.69 |
| 8 | 1 |  Fiji | 81.03 |
| 9 | 1 |  Scotland | 80.22 |
| 10 | |  Italy | 78.98 |
| 11 | |  Georgia | 74.69 |
| 12 | |  Wales | 74.23 |
| 13 | |  Japan | 72.58 |
| 14 | |  Spain | 69.12 |
| 15 | |  Uruguay | 68.52 |
| 16 | |  United States | 68.26 |
| 17 | |  Samoa | 66.94 |
| 18 | |  Chile | 66.72 |
| 19 | | Tonga | 66.66 |
| 20 | |  Portugal | 64.89 |
| 21 | |  Romania | 62.16 |
| 22 | |  Belgium | 61.81 |
| 23 | |  Hong Kong | 59.61 |
| 24 | |  Canada | 58.85 |
| 25 | |  Zimbabwe | 58.80 |
| 26 | |  Netherlands | 57.01 |
| 27 | |  Namibia | 56.39 |
| 28 | |  Switzerland | 55.26 |
| 29 | |  Poland | 54.36 |
| 30 | 1 |  Czech Republic | 53.39 |
| Tonga's historical rankings |
Below is table of the representative rugby matches played by a Tongan national XV at test level up until17 October 2025.[7]
| Opponent | Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | Win % | For | Aga | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.00% | 28 | 73 | −45 |
| Australia | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 25% | 42 | 167 | −125 |
| Australia A | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 25% | 71 | 210 | −139 |
| Canada | 13 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 53.85% | 303 | 295 | +8 |
| Chile | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 71 | 40 | +31 |
 Cook Islands | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 289 | 32 | +257 |
| England | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0.00% | 36 | 241 | −205 |
| England Saxons | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00% | 14 | 41 | −27 |
| Fiji | 96 | 27 | 66 | 3 | 28.13% | 1,286 | 1,963 | −677 |
| France | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 33.33% | 96 | 172 | −76 |
| French Barbarians | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.67% | 94 | 107 | -13 |
| Georgia | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 28.57% | 141 | 119 | +22 |
| Hong Kong | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 44 | 22 | +22 |
| Ireland | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0.00% | 44 | 131 | −87 |
| Italy | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 33.33% | 96 | 190 | −94 |
 Ivory Coast | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 29 | 11 | +18 |
| Japan | 20 | 9 | 11 | 0 | 45% | 493 | 542 | −49 |
| Namibia | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 55 | 35 | +20 |
 New Caledonia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 58 | 3 | +55 |
| New Zealand | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0.00% | 42 | 519 | −477 |
| Junior All Blacks | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0.00% | 48 | 124 | −76 |
| Māori | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 33.33% | 165 | 319 | −154 |
 Papua New Guinea | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 131 | 26 | +105 |
| Portugal | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 24 | 19 | +5 |
| Romania | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 50% | 144 | 136 | +8 |
| Samoa | 71 | 28 | 39 | 4 | 39.44% | 1,075 | 1,350 | −275 |
| Scotland | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 16.67% | 89 | 241 | −152 |
| Scotland XV | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.00% | 13 | 67 | −54 |
 Solomon Islands | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 92 | 3 | +89 |
| South Korea | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 464 | 66 | +398 |
| South Africa | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0.00% | 53 | 153 | −100 |
| Spain | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.67% | 88 | 48 | +40 |
 Tahiti | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 74 | 0 | +74 |
| Uruguay | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 43 | 19 | +24 |
| United States | 11 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 81.82% | 289 | 189 | +100 |
| Wales | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0.00% | 108 | 301 | −193 |
| Wales XV | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00% | 7 | 26 | −19 |
| Zimbabwe | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 42 | 13 | +29 |
| Total | 327 | 124 | 196 | 7 | 37.92% | 6,281 | 8,013 | −1,732 |
| Rugby World Cuprecord | Qualification | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | Squad | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | ||
| 1987 | Pool stage | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 29 | 98 | Squad | Invited | ||||||||
| 1991 | Did not qualify | 3rd | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 64 | 62 | |||||||||
| 1995 | Pool stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 44 | 90 | Squad | P/O | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 34 | 26 | ||
| 1999 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 47 | 171 | Squad | P/O | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 341 | 178 | |||
| 2003 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 46 | 178 | Squad | P/O | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 398 | 178 | |||
| 2007 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 89 | 96 | Squad | P/O | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 329 | 136 | |||
| 2011 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 80 | 98 | Squad | Automatically qualified | |||||||||
| 2015 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 70 | 130 | Squad | ||||||||||
| 2019 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 67 | 105 | Squad | 2nd | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 68 | 93 | |||
| 2023 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 96 | 177 | Squad | P/O | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 126 | 111 | |||
| 2027 | Qualified | 2nd | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 40 | 48 | |||||||||
| 2031 | To be determined | To be determined | |||||||||||||||
| Total | — | 33 | 9 | 0 | 24 | 568 | 1143 | — | — | 39 | 18 | 0 | 21 | 1398 | 832 | ||
| |||||||||||||||||
Tonga previously competed in thePacific Tri-Nations winning three tournaments. The Pacific Nations Cup replaced the Tri-Nations tournament in 2006. Tonga have yet to win a tournament.
| Tournament | Won | Drawn | Lost | Tonga finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4th / 5 |
| 2007 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 5th / 6 |
| 2008 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 6th / 6 |
| 2009 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5th / 5 |
| 2010 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4th / 4 |
| 2011 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2nd / 4 |
| 2012 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3rd / 4 |
| 2013 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3rd / 5 |
| 2014 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3rd / 3 |
| 2015 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 3rd / 6 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3rd / 3 |
| 2017 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2nd / 3 |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2nd / 4 |
| 2019 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5th / 6 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4th / 4 |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5th / 6 |
| 2025 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3rd / 6 |
| Total | 18 | 1 | 37 | 0 titles |
Tonga have recorded six wins against tier 1 opposition.
| 30 June 1973 | Australia | 11–16 | Tonga | Ballymore Stadium,Brisbane | |
| Try:Cole Tindall Pen:McGill | Report | Try:Kavapalu Latu Mafi Pahulu Vave | Attendance: 9,563 Referee:Bob Burnett (Australia) |
| 16 June 1999 | Tonga | 20–16 | France | Teufaiva Sport Stadium,Nukuʻalofa | |
| Try:Taufahema Taumalolo (2) Con:Sateki Tuipulotu Pen:Sateki Tuipulotu | Report | Try:Sarraméa Con:Lamaison Pen:Lamaison (3) | Attendance: 7,000 Referee:Clayton Thomas (Wales) |
| 10 October 1999 | Italy | 25–28 | Tonga | Welford Road, Leicester | |
| Try:Moscardi Con:Domínguez Pen:Domínguez (6) | Report | Try:Fatani Taufahema Sateki Tuipulotu Con:Sateki Tuipulotu (2) Pen:Sateki Tuipulotu (2) Drop:Sateki Tuipulotu | Attendance: 10,244 Referee:David McHugh (Ireland) |
| 1 October 2011 | France | 14–19 | Tonga | Westpac Stadium,Wellington | |
| Try:Clerc 80' m Pen:Yachvili (3/3) 1', 23', 49' | Report | Try:Hufanga 26' c Con:Morath (1/1) 28' Pen:Morath (4/8) 6', 35', 66', 72' | Attendance: 32,763 Referee:Steve Walsh (Australia) |
| 24 November 2012 | Scotland | 15–21 | Tonga | Pittodrie,Aberdeen | |
| Pen:Laidlaw (5/7) 10', 38', 46', 55', 61' | Report | Try:Lokotui 51' c Vainikolo 65' m Con:Apikotoa (1/2) 52' Pen:Apikotoa (3/5) 5', 64', 72' | Attendance: 20,306 Referee:Mathieu Raynal (France) |
| 26 November 2016 | Italy | 17–19 | Tonga | Stadio Euganeo,Padua | |
| 15:00CET (UTC+1) | Try:Cittadini 12' c Allan 54' c Con:Canna (1/1) 13' Allan (1/1) 55' Pen:Padovani (1/1) 77' | Report | Try:Piutau 51' c Con:Takulua (1/1) 53' Pen:Takulua (4/5) 32', 45', 77', 80' | Attendance: 18,125 Referee:John Lacey (Ireland) |
On 6 November, Tonga named a 30-player squad ahead of theirNovember test againstScotland.
Head coach:Tevita Tuʻifua
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Moli | Hooker | (1998-12-24)24 December 1998 (age 26) | 22 | Moana Pasifika /Tasman |
| Sosefo Sakalia | Hooker | (1991-12-14)14 December 1991 (age 33) | 24 | Kolomotu’a RC |
| Siegfried Fisiʻihoi | Prop | (1987-06-08)8 June 1987 (age 38) | 32 | Massy |
| Phil Kite | Prop | (1993-04-23)23 April 1993 (age 32) | 3 | Colomiers |
| Fatongia Paea | Prop | (1999-09-04)4 September 1999 (age 26) | 1 | Auckland |
| Ben Tameifuna | Prop | (1991-08-30)30 August 1991 (age 34) | 43 | Bordeaux Bègles |
| Siate Tokolahi | Prop | (1992-03-16)16 March 1992 (age 33) | 5 | Pau |
| Tupou Afungia | Lock | (1999-09-12)12 September 1999 (age 26) | 10 | Unattached |
| Viliami Napa'a | Lock | (2002-05-16)16 May 2002 (age 23) | 0 | Waitohi RFC |
| Harison Mataele | Lock | (1994-01-01)1 January 1994 (age 31) | 15 | Unattached |
| Sitaleki Timani | Lock | (1986-09-19)19 September 1986 (age 39) | 1 | Carcassonne |
| Veikoso Poloniati | Lock | (1995-08-27)27 August 1995 (age 30) | 6 | Unattached |
| Lotu Inisi | Back row | (1999-04-26)26 April 1999 (age 26) | 13 | Takapuna |
| Fotu Lokotui | Back row | (1992-03-19)19 March 1992 (age 33) | 21 | Niort |
| Siosiua Moala | Back row | (1989-05-29)29 May 1989 (age 36) | 7 | Poverty Bay |
| Semisi Paea | Back row | (1999-04-17)17 April 1999 (age 26) | 10 | Moana Pasifika /Bay of Plenty |
| Aisea Halo | Scrum-half | (1993-06-29)29 June 1993 (age 32) | 12 | Counties Manukau |
| Siaosi Nginingini | Scrum-half | (1998-10-17)17 October 1998 (age 27) | 3 | Moana Pasifika /North Harbour |
| Sonatane Takulua | Scrum-half | (1991-01-11)11 January 1991 (age 34) | 62 | Carcassonne |
| William Havili | Fly-half | (1998-09-09)9 September 1998 (age 27) | 16 | Tasman |
| Patrick Pellegrini | Fly-half | (1998-09-28)28 September 1998 (age 27) | 16 | Moana Pasifika |
| Tima Faingaʻanuku | Centre | (1997-04-26)26 April 1997 (age 28) | 10 | North Harbour |
| Solomone Kata | Centre | (1994-12-03)3 December 1994 (age 30) | 15 | Leicester Tigers |
| Ofa Manuofetoa | Centre | (1991-05-31)31 May 1991 (age 34) | 0 | Aurillac |
| Taniela Filimone | Wing | (1999-06-01)1 June 1999 (age 26) | 4 | Manawatu |
| Fine Inisi | Wing | (1998-05-19)19 May 1998 (age 27) | 17 | Dragons |
| John Tapueluelu | Wing | (1999-04-07)7 April 1999 (age 26) | 10 | Alhambra |
| Anzelo Tuitavuki | Wing | (1998-10-10)10 October 1998 (age 27) | 8 | Colomiers |
| Josiah Unga | Fullback | (2003-05-15)15 May 2003 (age 22) | 6 | Auckland Marist |
The current coaching staff of the Tongan national team:[8]
| Name | Nationality | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Tilitili Puloka | TON | Manager |
| Tevita Tuʻifua | TON | Head Coach |
| Nili Latu | TON | Assistant Coach |
| Pauliasi Manu | TON | Scrum Coach |
| Joe Tuineau | TON | Lineout Coach |
| Viliami Maʻafu | TON | Defence Coach |
| Kurt Morath | TON | Skills Coach |
| Isi Fatani | TON | Breakdown Coach |
| Semisi Fonua | TON | Strength & Conditioning coach |
| Joh Fifita | TON | Performance Analyst |
| Dr. Penisimani Poloniati | TON | Team doctor |
| Siosaia Vakasiuola | TON | Physiotherapist |
| # | Player | Pos | Span | Mat | Start | Sub | Pts | Tries | Conv | Pens | Drop | Won | Lost | Draw | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sonatane Takulua | Scrum-half | 2014–present | 63 | 57 | 6 | 283 | 18 | 44 | 35 | 0 | 24 | 38 | 1 | 38.10 |
| 2 | Nili Latu | Flanker | 2006–2017 | 48 | 47 | 1 | 28 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 28 | 1 | 40.62 |
| 3 | Vunga Lilo | Fullback | 2007–2018 | 44 | 41 | 3 | 87 | 12 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 19 | 25 | 0 | 43.18 |
| 4 | Siale Piutau | Wing | 2011–2019 | 43 | 41 | 2 | 32 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 25 | 1 | 40.69 |
| Ben Tameifuna | Prop | 2017-present | 43 | 33 | 10 | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 29 | 0 | 32.56 | |
| 6 | Steve Mafi | Lock | 2010–2023 | 42 | 31 | 11 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 22 | 0 | 48.42 |
| 7 | Elisi Vunipola | Fly-half | 1990–2005 | 41 | 40 | 1 | 50 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 26 | 0 | 36.58 |
| 8 | Kurt Morath | Fly-half | 2009–2021 | 40 | 34 | 6 | 340 | 2 | 48 | 78 | 0 | 18 | 22 | 0 | 47.36 |
| 9 | Pierre Hola | Fly-half | 1998–2009 | 39 | 38 | 1 | 322 | 12 | 68 | 42 | 3 | 19 | 20 | 0 | 48.72 |
| Benhur Kivalu | Number 8 | 1998–2005 | 39 | 35 | 4 | 40 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 24 | 1 | 37.17 |
Last updated: Scotland vs Tonga, 23 November 2025. Statistics include officially capped matches only.
| # | Player | Pos | Span | Mat | Start | Sub | Pts | Tries | Conv | Pens | Drop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sonatane Takulua | Scrum-half | 2014–present | 63 | 57 | 6 | 283 | 18 | 44 | 35 | 0 |
| 2 | Fetuʻu Vainikolo | Wing | 2011–2016 | 28 | 27 | 1 | 85 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Josh Taumalolo | Centre | 1996–2007 | 26 | 23 | 3 | 118 | 14 | 6 | 12 | 0 |
| 4 | Pierre Hola | Fly-half | 1998–2009 | 39 | 38 | 1 | 322 | 12 | 68 | 42 | 3 |
| Vunga Lilo | Fullback | 2007–2018 | 44 | 41 | 3 | 87 | 12 | 3 | 7 | 0 | |
| 6 | Fepikou Tatafu | Centre | 1996–2002 | 23 | 21 | 2 | 50 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Viliame Iongi | Wing | 2011–2016 | 21 | 15 | 6 | 45 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Benhur Kivalu | Number 8 | 1998–2005 | 39 | 35 | 4 | 45 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Telusa Veainu | Wing | 2015–2024 | 16 | 15 | 1 | 45 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 10 | Elisi Vunipola | Fly-half | 1990–2005 | 41 | 40 | 1 | 50 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
Last updated: Scotland vs Tonga, 23 November 2025. Statistics include officially capped matches only.
| # | Player | Pos | Span | Mat | Start | Sub | Pts | Tries | Conv | Pens | Drop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kurt Morath | Fly-half | 2009–2021 | 40 | 34 | 6 | 340 | 2 | 48 | 78 | 0 |
| 2 | Pierre Hola | Fly-half | 1998–2009 | 39 | 38 | 1 | 322 | 12 | 68 | 42 | 3 |
| 3 | Sonatane Takulua | Scrum-half | 2014–present | 63 | 57 | 6 | 283 | 18 | 44 | 35 | 0 |
| 4 | Sateki Tuipulotu | Fullback | 1993–2003 | 20 | 19 | 1 | 190 | 5 | 33 | 32 | 1 |
| 5 | Fangatapu Apikotoa | Fly-half | 2004–2014 | 30 | 20 | 10 | 147 | 2 | 40 | 19 | 0 |
| 6 | Josh Taumalolo | Centre | 1996–2007 | 26 | 23 | 3 | 118 | 14 | 6 | 12 | 0 |
| 7 | Kusitafu Tonga | Fullback | 1996–2001 | 13 | 12 | 1 | 114 | 1 | 32 | 15 | 0 |
| 8 | William Havili | Fly-half | 2022-present | 19 | 19 | 0 | 101 | 1 | 27 | 14 | 0 |
| 9 | Patrick Pellegrini | Fly-half | 2023- | 17 | 11 | 6 | 89 | 5 | 20 | 8 | 0 |
| 10 | Vunga Lilo | Fullback | 2007–2018 | 44 | 41 | 3 | 87 | 12 | 3 | 7 | 0 |
Last updated: Scotland vs Tonga, 23 November 2025. Statistics include officially capped matches only.
| # | Player | Pos | Pts | Tries | Conv | Pens | Drop | Opposition | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pierre Hola | Centre | 44 | 2 | 17 | 0 | 0 | South Korea | Nukuʻalofa | 22 March 2003 |
| 2 | Fangatapu Apikotoa | Fly-half | 30 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 0 | South Korea | Henderson | 10 February 2007 |
| 3 | Sateki Tuipulotu | Fullback | 27 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 0 | South Korea | Seoul | 4 May 1999 |
| 4 | Benhur Kivalu | Number 8 | 25 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | South Korea | Nukuʻalofa | 22 March 2003 |
| Patrick Pellegrini | Fly-half | 25 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | Canada | Salt Lake City | 20 September 2025 | |
| 6 | Pierre Hola | Fullback | 24 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 1 | Papua New Guinea | Nukuʻalofa | 7 December 2002 |
| 7 | Gustavo Tonga | Fullback | 23 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 0 | Cook Islands | Nukuʻalofa | 5 July 1997 |
| 8 | Viliame Iongi | Centre | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | United States | Esher | 8 June 2011 |
| Kurt Morath | Fly-half | 20 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | Fiji | Lautoka | 2 July 2011 | |
| Sonatane Takulua | Scrum-half | 20 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | Samoa | Nukuʻalofa | 1 July 2017 |
Last updated: Scotland vs Tonga, 23 November 2025. Statistics include officially capped matches only.
| # | Player | Pos | Pts | Tries | Conv | Pens | Drop | Opposition | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benhur Kivalu | Number 8 | 25 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | South Korea | Nukuʻalofa | 22 March 2003 |
| 2 | Viliame Iongi | Wing | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | United States | Esher | 8 June 2011 |
| 3 | Josh Taumalolo | Fly-half | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Cook Islands | Nukuʻalofa | 5 July 1997 |
| Josh Taumalolo | Fullback | 17 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |  Georgia | Tbilisi | 28 March 1999 | |
| Jonathan Koloi | Flanker | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | South Korea | Seoul | 4 May 1999 | |
| Viliami Hakalo | Wing | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Cook Islands | Rarotonga | 24 June 2006 | |
| Sonatane Takulua | Scrum-half | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Hong Kong | Sunshine Coast | 23 July 2022 | |
| Patrick Pellegrini | Fly-half | 25 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | Canada | Salt Lake City | 20 September 2025 | |
| 9 | 49 players on2 tries | |||||||||
Last updated: Scotland vs Tonga, 23 November 2025. Statistics include officially capped matches only.
| # | Player | Pos | Span | Mat | Won | Lost | Draw | % | Pts | Tries | Conv | Pens | Drop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nili Latu | Flanker | 2006–2016 | 42 | 15 | 26 | 1 | 36.90 | 23 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | Siale Piutau | Wing | 2015–2019 | 19 | 9 | 10 | 0 | 47.36 | 22 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Sonatane Takulua | Scrum-half | 2017–present | 19 | 6 | 13 | 0 | 25.00 | 80 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 0 | |
| 4 | Inoke Afeaki | Lock | 2001–2003 | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 33.33 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Ben Tameifuna | Prop | 2024- | 11 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 27.27 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fakahau Valu | Flanker | 1977–1987 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0.00 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 7 | Aleki Lutui | Hooker | 2004–2011 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 11.11 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Elisi Vunipola | Fly-half | 1999–2001 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 44.44 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 9 | Sione Mafi Pahulu | Number 8 | 1973–1975 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 14.28 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 10 | Siaosi Atiola | Number 8 | 1987–1990 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 25.00 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Last updated: Scotland vs Tonga, 22 November 2025. Statistics include officially capped matches only.
| # | Player | Pos | Age | Opposition | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elisi Vunipola | Fly-half | 17 years and 292 days | Fiji | Nukualofa | 24 March 1990 |
| 2 | Viliami Hakalo | (Wing) | 18 years and 182 days | Japan | Fukuoka | 4 June 2006 |
| 3 | Sione Kalamafoni | (Flanker) | 18 years and 268 days | South Korea | Henderson | 10 February 2007 |
| 4 | Soane Havea | Scrum-half | 18 years and 292 days | New Zealand | North Shore City | 16 June 2000 |
| 5 | Semi Taupeaafe | Wing | 18 years and 317 days | Fiji | Suva | 11 June 1991 |
| 6 | Sinali Latu | Number 8 | 18 years and 320 days | Fiji | Suva | 7 July 1984 |
| 7 | Unuoi Vaʻenuku | Centre | 19 years and 51 days | France | Pretoria | 26 May 1995 |
| 8 | Pita Alatini | Centre | 19 years and 119 days | Samoa | Nukuʻalofa | 8 July 1995 |
| 9 | Tevita ʻAhoafi | (Scrum-half) | 19 years and 171 days | Australia A | Sydney | 25 May 2007 |
| 10 | Isi Tapueluelu | Centre | 19 years and 176 days | Fiji | Nukuʻalofa | 24 March 1990 |
Last updated: Tonga vs Samoa, 22 August 2025. Statistics include officially capped matches only.
| # | Player | Pos | Age | Opposition | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sitaleki Timani | (Lock) | 39 years and 73 days | Scotland | Edinburgh | 23 November 2025 |
| 2 | Siegfried Fisiʻihoi | Prop | 38 years and 168 days | Scotland | Edinburgh | 23 November 2025 |
| 3 | Polutele Tuʻihalamaka | Lock | 37 years and 249 days | Canada | Napier | 24 May 1987 |
| 4 | Aleki Lutui | (Hooker) | 37 years and 95 days | Argentina | Leicester | 4 October 2015 |
| 5 | Kurt Morath | Fly-Half | 36 years and 358 days | England | London | 6 November 2021 |
| 6 | Fakahau Valu | Flanker | 36 years and 347 days | Ireland | Brisbane | 3 June 1987 |
| 7 | Joe Tuineau | Lock | 36 years and 302 days | Samoa | Suva | 16 June 2018 |
| 8 | Siosiua Moala | Flanker | 36 years and 178 days | Scotland | Edinburgh | 23 November 2025 |
| 9 | Hale T-Pole | Lock | 36 years and 152 days | Namibia | Exeter | 29 September 2015 |
| 10 | Elvis Taione | Hooker | 36 years and 76 days | Canada | Lautoka | 8 August 2019 |
Last updated: Scotland vs Tonga, 23 November 2025. Statistics include officially capped matches only.
Tonga usually wears a home kit consisting of a red shirt, white shorts and red socks and an away kit with the reversed colours. In the1999 Rugby World Cup, Tonga wore an all-red home kit. Since 2007, Tongan traditional designs, similar to the ones found on thetapa cloths, were incorporated on the jersey design.
Kit manufacturers:
| Period | Kit manufacturer |
|---|---|
| 1974–1980 | Umbro |
| 1980–1999 | Canterbury |
| 2000–2002 | Carisbrook |
| 2003–2005 | Sekem |
| 2005–2008 | KooGa |
| 2008 | Samurai Sportswear^a |
| 2008–2010 | Aoniu^b |
| 2011–2012 | KooGa/BLK |
| 2012–2015 | Kukri |
| 2016–2020 | Mizuno |
| 2021 | Siomai Print |
| 2021-2023 | Force XV |
| 2024--present | Talatā Sports Wear |
       1987–1995 Home |   1987–1995 Away |  1999 RWC Home |  2003 Home |  2003 Away |     2007 Home |    2009 Home |
   2011 Home |    2015 Home |    2015 Away |    2017 Home |    2017 Away |    2019 Home |    2019 Away |
| Name | Span | Mat | Won | Lost | Draw | %W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Mullins[9] | 1969–1974 | |||||
| Viliami Haʻunga[10] | 1979 | |||||
| Kelepi Tupou[11] | 1983 | |||||
| Fred Wolfgramm[12] | 1985 | |||||
| Prince Mailefihi | 1986–1987 | |||||
| Peseti Maʻafu[13][14] | 1991 | |||||
| Sione Taumoepeau[15] | 1994-1995 | |||||
| Fakahau Valu | 1995 | |||||
| Rev.Tevita Latailakepa | 1998 | |||||
| Polutele Tuʻihalamaka | 1999 | |||||
| David Waterston | 1999–2000[16] | |||||
| Vaita Ueleni | 2000–2001 | |||||
| Jim Love | 2001–2003 | 19 | 6 | 13 | 0 | 31.58 |
| Viliami Ofahengaue | 2004–2005 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Adam Leach | 2006–2007 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 71.43 |
| Quddus Fielea | 2007–2010 | 16 | 5 | 11 | 0 | 31.25 |
| Isitolo Maka | 2010–2011 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Toutai Kefu (caretaker) | 2012 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Mana Otai | 2012–2015 | 24 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 47.91 |
| Toutai Kefu | 2016–2023 | 51 | 15 | 32 | 0 | 29.41 |
| Tevita Tuʻifua | 2024–present |
|
