Tonga 2011 Rugby World Cup Team

Tonga is famous for punching above its weight in the Rugby World Cup, and is responsible for giving some of the biggest teams in rugby a real run for their money in the tournament. Despite its tiny playing pool, natural ability combined with ferocity make Tonga a formidable World Cup opponent.

Nickname: ‘Ikale Tahi
Coach: Quddus Fielea
Best World Cup Performance: group stages

2011 Rugby World Cup Pool A
Team	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	TF	TA	BP	Pts
New Zealand	4	4	0	0	240	49	36	6	4	20
France	4	2	0	2	124	96	13	9	3	11
Tonga	4	2	0	2	80	98	7	13	1	9
Canada	4	1	1	2	82	168	9	20	0	6
Japan	4	0	1	3	69	184	8	25	0	2

2011 Tonga Rugby World Cup Odds

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World Cup – World Cup Winner – 15:42

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World Cup - World Cup Tonga Stage of Elimination -
Semi Finals	4/5
Runner Up	6/5
Winner	7

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World Cup - Tonga v Japan Handicap (No Draw) - 08:30
Tonga	+7.5 1/5	-4.5 10/11	-4.5 10/11	-4.5 4/5	-5.5 9/10	-5.5 1/1	-5.5 4/5
Japan	-7.5 10/3	+4.5 10/11	+4.5 1/1	+4.5 1/1	+5.5 9/10	+5.5 4/5	+5.5 1/1

2011 Rugby World Cup

Tonga has copped a tough draw for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, and would need to beat both New Zealand and France to progress to the quarterfinals. While the Tongans certainly won’t roll over for the big guns, it would take a massive blunder from France or New Zealand for the Tongans to progress.

However, Tonga can secure early qualification for the 2015 World Cup by beating Japan and Canada, and both these games are likely to produce entertaining, competitive rugby. We back Tonga to roll over the Canadians and Japanese and claim third place in Pool A.

Rugby World Cup History

Tonga participated in the inaugural Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in 1987. The Tongans lost every game at the tournament, but gave Wales a scare during the group stages before losing 29-16. The team failed to qualify for the 1991 Rugby World Cup.

The Tongans were back in the fray for the 1995 Rugby World Cup, qualifying ahead of Fiji. The Tongans recorded their first ever World Cup win at the tournament, defeating the Ivory Coast 29-11 in a match famous for a serious injury to Ivorian winger Max Brito.

The Tongan team qualified for the 1999 Rugby World Cup, and claimed their first top tier scalp at the tournament by defeating Italy. However, the victory was not sufficient to earn the Tongans a place in the knockout rounds. In 2003 the Tongans hit the lowest point in their rugby history, by losing every game at the Rugby World Cup.

Tonga put in its best Rugby World Cup performance at the 2007 tournament. The men in red won two pools games, and came within minutes of defeating eventual champions South Africa and qualifying for the knockout stages of the tournament.

Strengths

The Tongans are natural athletes, and are amongst the most physical and formidable rugby players in the world. The national team has an intimidating on-field presence, and the ability to raise its game when up against bigger, more powerful rugby playing nations.

Weaknesses

Tonga suffers from a player drain to Pacific neighbour New Zealand, which routinely poaches gifted young players in order to beef up the All Black player pool. Politics aside, the Tongans also suffer from a lack of on field discipline, and are frequently accused by their opponents of dirty and dangerous play.

Tonga Rugby World Cup Squad

Forwards

Aleki Lutui, Ephraim Taukafa, Ilaisa Ma’asi, Alisona Taumalolo, Kisi Pulu, Soane Tonga’uiha, Halani ‘Aulika, Taufa’ao Filise, Paino Hehea, Sione Timani, Tukulua Lokotui, Joseph Tu’ineau, Sione Kalamafoni, Finau Maka, Viliami Ma’afu, Samiu Vahafolau, Sione Vaiomo’unga.

Backs

Taniela Moa, Thomas Palu, Samisoni Fisilau, Kurt Morath, Siale Vailea Piutau, Alipate Fatafehi, Andrew Ma’ilei, Sukanaivalu Hufanga, William Helu, Fetu’umoana Vainikolo, Alaska Taufa, Viliame ‘Iongi, Vungakoto Lilo.

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World Cup - Team Betting Tonga Top Team Tryscorer -
Lilo, V	6
Iongi, V	13/2
Moana Vainikolo, F	13/2
Taumalolo, A	13/2
Vailea Piutau, S	10
Tonga'uiha, S	12
Ma'afu, V	14
Moa, T	14
Fatafehi, A	16
Maka, F	16
Helu, W	20
Hufanga, S	20
Kalamafoni, S	20
Mailei, A	20
Taufa, A	20
Vahafolau, S	20
Vaiomounga, S	20
Filise, T	33
Fisilau, S	33
Lutui, A	33
Palu, T	33
Morath, K	40
Pulu, K	40
Tuineau, J	40
Hehea, P	50
Ma'asi, I	50
Timani, S	50
Aulika, H	66
Lokotui, T	66
Taukafa, E	66