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{{Infobox rugby league nation
{{refimprove|date=December 2007}}
| Name = Tonga
| Badge =
| Badge_size = 100px
| Nickname = Mate Ma'a
| Association = Tongan Rugby League
| Region = [[Oceania]]
| Coach = {{flagicon|Australia}} [[Jim Dymock]]
| Captain = {{flagicon|Tonga}} [[Lopini Paea]]
| Most caps =
| Top scorer = Lelea Paea (112)
| Home Stadium = [[Mangweni Stadium]]
| RLIF Rank = 4th
| pattern_la1=|pattern_b1=_thinwhitesides|pattern_ra1=
| leftarm1=FF0000|body1=FF0000|rightarm1=FF0000|shorts1=FF0000|socks1=FFFFFF
| First game = {{flagicon|Western Samoa}} [[Samoa national rugby league team|Western Samoa]] 40 - 30 Tonga {{flagicon|Tonga}}<br/>([[Apia, Samoa]]; November 1988)
| Largest win = {{flagicon|Tokelau}} [[Tokelau national rugby league team|Tokelau]] 0 - 62 Tonga {{flagicon|Tonga}}<br/>([[Auckland]], [[New Zealand]]; December 2006
| Largest loss = {{flagicon|New Zealand}} [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]] 74 - 0 Tonga {{flagicon|Tonga}}<br/>([[Auckland]], [[New Zealand]]; [[27 October]] [[1999]])
| World cup apps = 2
| World cup first = 1995
| World cup best = Round 1, [[1995 Rugby League World Cup|1995]] and [[2000 Rugby League World Cup|2000]]
}}
The '''Tonga national rugby league team''' is a national sporting side, representing [[Tonga]] in [[rugby league]]. Rugby league is a popular sport in Tonga, and the national team has become one of the best performed nations in the world. Tonga competes biennually with other several other [[Pacific Islands]] nations in the [[Pacific Cup]] a competition they have won outright on two occasions, along with finishing as the runner-up on another two. They are the [[RLIF World Rankings|fourth-ranked team]] in the world currently, behind only the "big three" rugby league nations in [[Australia national rugby league team|Australia]], [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]] and [[England national rugby league team|England]]. Tonga to date have competed at two [[Rugby League World Cup]]s in [[1995 Rugby League World Cup|1995]] and [[2000 Rugby League World Cup|2000]] and were the first team to qualify for the [[2008 Rugby League World Cup|2008 tournament]].


Rugby league was introduced to Tonga in 1986 with the staging of the Pacific Cup in Rarotonga and in 1988 the national side played its first [[Test match]] against [[Western Samoa]] in Apia. Since then Tonga has played regularly against the [[Pacific Islands]] nations and on a less regular basis against nations such [[England national rugby league team|England]], [[France national rugby league team|France]] and [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]].
'''Persuasive writing''', also known as an [[argument]], is used to convince the reader of a writer’s argument(s). Persuasive writing involves convincing the reader to perform an action, or it may simply consist of an argument(s) convincing the reader of the writer’s point of view. Persuasive writers employ many techniques to improve their argument and show support for their claim.


While Tonga have always been a well performed rugby nation since their debut match in 1988 it is more recently where they have made their most serious progress in the international game. They finished second in the inaugural [[Federation Shield]] in 2006 where they beat both [[France national rugby league team|France]] and [[Samoa national rugby league team|Samoa]] and since 1988 have qualified for two World Cups where Tonga have however performed unexceptionally and have as of yet failed to qualify past the group stages at the tournament.


Tonga traditionally play in a predominately [[red]] uniform with white sides and socks, they are commonly referred to as the ''mate ma'a Tonga'' which when translated means ''Die for Tonga''. The Tongan emblem is a red and blue badge with a [[rugby ball]] and the ''mate ma'a'' written across it. Tonga internationals are played at a variety of venues throughout the country, though it is [[Mangweni Stadium]] in the capital of [[Nukuʻalofa|Nuku{{Okina}}alofa]] that is most commonly used.
==[[Ethos]], [[Logos]] and [[Pathos]] in Persuasive Writing==
By appealing to their credibility, writers can make their claims more believable. This is called an appeal to [[ethos]], as defined by Aristotle. The writer builds on his or her [[ethos]] by writing with clarity (an important element of style) and eliminating contradictions within the text itself. The writer will be more credible to the target audience if there are no internal errors in [[syntax]] and [[mechanics]] as well as no factual errors in the subject matter.


==History==
The writer will also appeal to logic when writing to persuade. This appeal is known as [[logos]]. This appeal is manifested in the supporting statements for the writer’s claim. In most cases, a successful appeal to logos requires tangible evidence, e.g. a quote from acknowledged written material. The writer will appeal to the rationality of the audience.
{{main|History of the Tonga national rugby league team}}
Rugby league would first gain attention in Tonga when the [[Pacific Cup]] would be partially held in the country during 1986. After this initial exposure to the Tongan people several clubs began to form or switch from [[rugby union]] to [[rugby league]] and by 1988 the nation had enough depth in their player pool to begin playing national fixtures and would enter the 1988 Pacific Cup competition held in [[Apia, Samoa]]. During that Pacific Cup the Tongans would play in three fixtures winning a sole match while losing the other two, with their first international victory coming against the [[American Samoa national rugby league team|American Samoa]] side a match that would end 38-14.


Over the next two years the national side would sporadically play international fixtures but it would not be until the 1992 Pacific Cup when they would again begin playing with some regularity. At the 1992 Cup competition the side would show significant improvement on their previous inaugural cup effort with victories over [[Niue national rugby league team|Niue]], [[Cook Islands national rugby league team|Cook Islands]], [[Fiji national rugby league team|Fiji]] and the [[New Zealand Maori rugby league team|New Zealand Maori]]<ref>[http://www2.hunterlink.net.au/~maajjs/sum/int1992.htm 1992 Pacific Cup (New Zealand)] ''International Competitions Website'' Retrieved on [[18 May]] [[2007]].</ref>. This run of victories would earn them a place in the final of the 1992 Pacific Cup against the [[Samoa national rugby league team|Western Samoan]] side but they would eventually lose a close fought match by four points 18-14. The following tournament two years later would see the Tongan side show further improvement with several comfortable victories again earning them a spot in final of the [[Pacific Cup]] this time against the Fijians whom had never defeated the Tongans at that time. The final would be a tough affair but the ''Mate Ma'a'' would again be victorious over Fiji 34-11 and would claim their maiden Pacific Cup title.
Finally, and possibly most importantly for persuasive writers, is the appeal to emotions or [[pathos]]. “A successful pathetic appeal will put the audience in a suitable mood by addressing their knowledge of or feelings about the subject” (Mendelson). This can be a very effective way to win over an audience.


During 1995 Tonga would qualify for their first [[Rugby League World Cup|World Cup]] that year and be seeded in the strong group B with both [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]] and [[Papua New Guinea national rugby league team|Papua New Guinea]]. While Tonga would fail to win a match at the World Cup they would earn copious amounts of respect after they would only narrowly lose to the New Zealand team by a single point and earn a draw against Papua New Guinea.
Most persuasive writing techniques use an effective combination of all three appeals.


The next four years would see the Tongan side appear in a further [[Pacific Cup]] in 1997 and then qualify for the [[2000 Rugby League World Cup|2000 World Cup]] with comfortable victories over the [[Cook Islands national rugby league team|Cook Islands]], [[Tokelau national rugby league team|Tokelau]] and [[American Samoa national rugby league team|American Samoa]]. Prior to appearing at the 2000 competition the Tongans arranged a friendly fixture against the New Zealand side that they had come so close to defeating during the previous World Cup but would this time face their heaviest defeat to date going down 74-0 and suffering a large dent in confidence prior to the competition.
==Traditional Structure in Persuasive Writing==


After the heavy defeat to New Zealand their next international fixture would be during their second World Cup where the Tongans would again be placed in another tough group with [[France national rugby league team|France]], [[Papua New Guinea national rugby league team|Papua New Guinea]] again and the [[South Africa national rugby league team|South Africans]]. Tonga would face South Africa in their first match of the tournament where they would be comfortable victors in a 66-18 drubbing, however the rest of the tournament would not be so kind to the Tongan side with loses to both France and Papua New Guinea meaning the Tongans would again fail to make it past the first stage of the tournament.
Here is a list of the traditional parts that can be used to strengthen an argument presented in persuasive writing. While these do not have to be followed exactly or in this order, they are helpful in forming the structure in persuasive writing.
* [[Exordium]], or introduction
* Narration, or background statement of the facts
* Partition, or forecast of the topics to be presented
* Conformation, or the confirmation of the piece. In contemporary English classes, this would be called the body of the text.
* Refutation, or discussion of alternatives
* Peroration, or a conclusion. It’s often helpful to tie the conclusion back to the introduction in order to strengthen your claim.


With a disappointing World Cup behind them the ''Mate Ma'a'' would regroup and again enter the Pacific Cup four years later in 2004. The tournament saw the Tongans again qualify for the tournament final with victories over both the Cook Islands and Fiji but the side would suffer a heavy defeat at the hands of neighbouring [[Samoa]] 51-18. 2006 saw the Tongan side re-enter the [[Pacific Cup]] where again they performed strongly qualifying for their second consecutive final where this time they would reverse their previous effort with a strong victory over Fiji 22-4 giving them their second Pacific Cup title. 2006 would continue to be a busy year of international fixtures for the Tongans which saw them gain qualification into the [[2008 Rugby League World Cup|2008 World Cup]] after they would finish top of their Pacific group ahead of the Cook Islands, Fiji and Samoa and then defeat the Samoans 18-10 in the qualifying final. They would also enter the inaugural [[Federation Shield]] competition along with [[England]], [[France]] and Samoa and eventually finish second. England to face Tonga in League final] to the English in the final 32-14 after they had defeated both France and Samoa.
==Common Techniques==


==2008 World Cup Squad==
* Personal Appeal: Human beings are emotional, so establish common ground that your audience can relate to. Also known as [[empathy]].
{| width=95%
|- bgcolor=#006B25
!width=10%|No
!!width=27%|Player
!width=27%|Position
!width=36%|Domestic Club


|- bgcolor=#ADDDBE
* Tone: The tone of the piece can alienate a reader if too harsh or sarcastic. The writer wants the reader to like them and to approve of their idea.
|align=center|1
|'''[[Toshio Laiseni]]'''
|align=center|[[Rugby league positions#Full back|Full back]]
|align=center|[[Newtown Jets]]


|- bgcolor=#ADDDBE
* Precision: Avoid lazy language, cliches, trends and jargon.
|align=center|2
|'''[[Taniela Tuiaki]]'''
|align=center|[[Rugby league positions#Wing|Wing]]
|align=center|[[Wests Tigers]]


|- bgcolor=#ADDDBE
* Concession: Acknowledge opposing points of view and offer your rebuttal.
|align=center|3
|'''[[Lopini Paea]]
|align=center|[[Rugby league positions#Centre|Centre]]
|align=center|[[Sydney Roosters]]


|- bgcolor=#ADDDBE
* Logic: If A equals B, and B equals C, then A must equal C. If the statements in your equation are true, then your conclusion must be true as well. A great example of logic is the [[United States Declaration of Independence]]
|align=center|4
|'''[[Cooper Vuna]]'''
|align=center|[[Rugby league positions#Centre|Centre]]
|align=center|[[Newcastle Knights]]


|- bgcolor=#ADDDBE
* Authority: Speak from personal experience, or if you have none, then provide facts, figures, and quotes from authorities to support your opinion
|align=center|5
|'''[[Taniela Lasalo]]'''
|align=center|[[Rugby league positions#Wing|Wing]]
|align=center|[[unattached]]


|- bgcolor=#ADDDBE
* Rhetorical Questioning: A rhetorical question can be phrased so that the only answer is in favor of your opinion. Ex: Dog is man's best friend. Who doesn't want a loyal best friend?
|align=center|6
|'''[[Feleti Mateo]]'''
|align=center|[[Rugby league positions#Stand off|Stand off]]
|align=center|[[Parramatta Eels]]


|- bgcolor=#ADDDBE
==Organizational Patterns==
|align=center|7
|'''[[Mickey Paea]]'''
|align=center|[[Rugby league positions#Half back|Half back]]
|align=center|[[Sydney Roosters]]


|- bgcolor=#ADDDBE
* Pro and Con Organization: Present the reasons against your opinion, then give reasons in favor of your opinion. Explain why your reasoning is superior.
|align=center|8
* Cause and Effect Organization: Connect ideas logically by showing their cause and effect relationship. For example, if you wanted to persuade people to get a dental checkup every six months, present effects of frequent dental checkups.
|'''[[Fuifui Moimoi]]'''
* Comparison and Contrast Organization: Show similarities and differences between your opinion and others. Present factual evidence that shows why your opinion is best.
|align=center|[[Rugby league positions#Prop|Prop]]
* Main Idea and Detail Organization: Provide key point or main ideas and factual details to support it.
|align=center|[[Parramatta Eels]]
* Order of Importance Organization: Present your argument so you progress from the least important detail to the most important or vice versa.


|- bgcolor=#ADDDBE
==Visual Appeals==
|align=center|9
|'''[[Eddie Paea]]'''
|align=center|[[Rugby league positions#Hooker|Hooker]]
|align=center|[[South Sydney Rabbitohs]]


|- bgcolor=#ADDDBE
Visual appeals can add to the effectiveness of the written word alone. Using complementing visuals can help strengthen arguments. This improves the visual rhetoric by making the page more appealing and allowing the reader more access to the page.
|align=center|10
|'''[[Antonio Kaufusi]]'''
|align=center|[[Rugby league positions#Prop|Prop]]
|align=center|[[Melbourne Storm]]


|- bgcolor=#ADDDBE
Visual appeals also refer to [[advertising]]
|align=center|11
|'''[[Awen Guttenbeil]]'''
|align=center|[[Rugby league positions#Second Row|Second Row]]
|align=center|[[Castleford Tigers]] / [[Retired]]


|- bgcolor=#ADDDBE
==Examples of Persuasive Writing==
|align=center|12
|'''[[Richard Fa’aoso]]'''
|align=center|[[Rugby league positions#Second Row|Second Row]]
|align=center|[[Newcastle Knights]]


|- bgcolor=#ADDDBE
# '''[[Advertisements]]''' are designed as a promotion or motivation to purchase goods, services or even and idea. The advertisements may be in the form of a television commercial, billboard, spam mail, pop-up add and many other versions of mass communications. Here is an example of the possible steps in creating a persuasive ad. [http://www.xplorecommunications.com/resources/succads.htm]
|align=center|13
# '''Political Speeches''' are by their very nature persuasive. The world has been shaped by a number of political speeches [http://www.americanrhetoric.com/top100speechesall.html].
|'''[[Louis Anderson]]'''
# [[Essays]] are created to argue and convince the reader the merits of one opionion or opinions over another. There are several steps one must follow in order to write a convincing persuasive essay. [http://essayinfo.com/essays/persuasive_essay.php]
|align=center|[[Rugby league positions#Loose forward|Loose forward]]
# [[Letters to the Editor]] Here are some things to consider before writing a letter to the editor. [http://www.hrw.org/community/action/lettertoeditor.htm]
|align=center|[[Warrington Wolves]]
# [[Public Service Announcements]] Click here for some examples of Public Service Announcements. [http://saloproductions.com/public-service-announcements/samples.php]


|- bgcolor=#ADDDBE
==Tips for Persuasive Writing==
|align=center|14
|'''[[Manase Manuokafoa]]'''
|align=center|[[Rugby league positions#Prop|Prop]]
|align=center|[[South Sydney Rabbitohs]]


|- bgcolor=#ADDDBE
''Develop Stance:'' Clearly explain the argument; include viewpoint(s) you personally advocate.
|align=center|15
|'''[[Epalahame Lauaki]]'''
|align=center|[[Rugby league positions#Prop|Prop]]
|align=center|[[New Zealand Warriors]]


|- bgcolor=#ADDDBE
''Establish Credentials:'' Inform audience of any previous experience(s)/research that pertains to the argued point.
|align=center|16
|'''[[Willie Manu]]'''
|align=center|[[Rugby league positions#Second Row|Second Row]]
|align=center|[[Hull FC]]


|- bgcolor=#ADDDBE
''Anticipate Opposing Arguments:'' Be aware of opposing viewpoint(s)
|align=center|17
|'''[[Michael Jennings]]'''
|align=center|[[Rugby league positions#Second Row|Second Row]]
|align=center|[[Penrith Panthers]]


|- bgcolor=#ADDDBE
''Counter Opposing Arguments:'' Address/answer these as introduction to personal viewpoint(s)
|align=center|18
|'''[[Andrew Emelio]]'''
|align=center|[[Rugby league positions#Prop|Prop]]
|align=center|[[Canterbury Bulldogs]]


|- bgcolor=#ADDDBE
''Use Reason:'' Base persuasive argument on evidence
|align=center|19
|'''[[Fraser Anderson]]'''
|align=center|[[Rugby league positions#Loose forward|Loose forward]]
|align=center|[[Cronulla Sharks]]


|- bgcolor=#ADDDBE
==Early Rhetoric and Persuasive Writing==
|align=center|20
|'''[[Tevita Leo-Latu]]'''
|align=center|[[Rugby league positions#Hooker|Hooker]]
|align=center|[[Wakefield Wildcats]]


|- bgcolor=#ADDDBE
Early rhetoricians dealt with this type of writing and oration. [[Cicero]] most notably defined this kind of writing as the grand style in his work ''[[Orator]]''. Cicero states, “This eloquence has power to sway man’s mind and move them in every possible way” ([[Cicero]]). He also states, however, that the most effective orator, or in this case, writer, uses a combination of the plain, middle and this grand style to suit the context.
|align=center|21
|'''[[Fetuli Talanoa]]'''
|align=center|[[Rugby league positions#Centre|Centre]]
|align=center|[[South Sydney Rabbitohs]]

|- bgcolor=#ADDDBE
|align=center|22
|'''[[Esikeli Tonga]]'''
|align=center|[[Rugby league positions#Full Back|Full Back]]
|align=center|[[Gold Coast Titans]]

|- bgcolor=#ADDDBE
|align=center|23
|'''[[Tony Williams (rugby league)|Tony Williams]]]]'''
|align=center|[[Rugby league positions#Wing|Wing]]
|align=center|[[Manly Sea Eagles]]

|- bgcolor=#ADDDBE
|align=center|24
|'''[[Joel Tauf'ao]]'''
|align=center|[[Rugby league positions#Second Row|Second Row]]
|align=center|[[unattached]]

|- bgcolor=#ADDDBE
|align=center|25
|'''[[Etuate Uaisele]]'''
|align=center|[[Rugby league positions#Prop|Prop]]
|align=center|[[Newcastle Knights]]
|}

==2008 World Cup squad==

{| class="toccolours"
! style="background:#0000CD; border:1px solid red; width:100%" |'''{{fontcolor|white|Tonga 2008 Starting Team}}'''
|-
|align=center|

<div style="background:lightgreen;border:thin black solid">

{|
|-----
|'''8''' [[Fuifui Moimoi]]
|
|'''9''' [[Eddie Paea]]
|
|'''10''' [[Antonio Kaufusi]]
|-----
|
|'''11''' [[Awen Guttenbeil]]
|
|'''12''' [[Richard Fa’aoso]]
|-----
|
||
|'''13''' [[Louis Anderson]]
|
||
|-----
| colspan="7" |
|-----
|
||
|'''7''' [[Mickey Paea]]
|-----
|
|| ||
|'''6''' [[Feleti Mateo]]
|-----
|
|| || ||
|'''4''' [[Michael Jennings]]
|-----
|
|| || || ||
|'''3''' [[Lopini Paea]]
|-----
|'''5''' [[Cooper Vuna]]
|
|| || || ||
|'''2''' [[Taniela Tuiaki]]
|-----
|
|| ||
|'''1''' [[Toshio Laiseni]]
|}
</div>
|}
'''Replacements'''
*'''14''' [[Manase Manuokafoa]]
*'''15''' [[Epalahame Lauaki]]
*'''16''' [[Willie Manu]]
*'''17''' [[Taniela Lasalo]]
*'''18''' [[Andrew Emelio]]
*'''19''' [[Frazer Anderson]]
*'''20''' [[Tevita Leo-Latu]]
*'''21''' [[Fetuli Talanoa]]
*'''22''' [[Esikeli Tonga]]
*'''23''' [[Tony Williams ]]
*'''24''' [[Anthony Tupou]]
*'''25''' [[Etuate Uaisele]]
*'''26''' [[Joel Tauf'ao]]

==Notable players==
Since rugby league has been known to the nation of Tonga officially in 1988 many players of Tongan birth or [[heritage]] have gone on to attain notability in representing either Tonga, other nations or appear in major domestic leagues around the world, some of the more notable Tongans have included:

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto"
! Player || Position || Association to Tonga || Distinctions
|-
| [[Jim Dymock]] || Loose forward || Parental heritage || Current Tonga coach<br />1995 World Cup winner
|-
| [[John Hopoate]] || Wing || Born [[Nukuʻalofa, Tonga]] || Former Tonga & Australia international<br />1995 World Cup winner
|-
| [[Willie Mason]] || Prop / Second Row || Parental heritage || Former Tonga & current Australia international<br />2000 World Cup
|-
| [[Tevita Vaikona]] || Wing || Born [[Nukuʻalofa, Tonga]] || Former Tonga international<br />2000 World Cup
|-
| [[Lesley Vainikolo]] || Wing || Born [[Nukuʻalofa, Tonga]] || Former New Zealand international
|}

==Honours==
*{{sport honours|[[Pacific Cup]]|2|1994, 2006, 2007}}

==See also==
* [[Rugby league in Tonga]]

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}
Michael Lea (otahuhu titans) postn:Hooker, prop. Paulos Latu ( Otahuhu Titans) Loose head, last man. George Siosifa (Mangry magpies) standoff, wing. Sanitesi faasla (centre, wing). Moele Raufa (wesley C) wing, fullback


==References==
==References==
*{{cite web |
Baird, Rod. "A Bare-Bones Guide to Persuasive Writing". Writing 29:3 (2006):16-17.
title=Rugby League Tables and Statistics |
Mendelson, Michael. "A Glossary of Rhetorical Terms."
work=The World of Rugby League |
url=http://stats.rleague.com/rl/rl_index.html |
accessdate=17 May |
accessyear=2007}}

==External links==
;Official websites
* [http://www.tnrl.to/ Mate Ma'a Tonga Online]

==News sites==
* [http://www.matangitonga.to/ Matangi Tonga Online]
* [http://tonga-broadcasting.com/ Tonga Broadcasting]
* [http://www.rugbyleague.org/index.php?showforum=205 Tonga Rugby League Fans Forums - RugbyLeague.org]
* [http://www.rlwc.com/ 2008 Rugby League World Cup Site]

{{Rugby League in Oceania}}
{{International Rugby League}}


[[Category:International rugby league teams]]
[[Category:Rugby league in Tonga]]


[[fr:Équipe des Tonga de rugby à XIII]]
[[Category:Debating]]
[[Category:Writing]]

Revision as of 23:16, 13 October 2008

Tonga
Team information
NicknameMate Ma'a
RegionOceania
Head coachAustralia Jim Dymock
CaptainTonga Lopini Paea
Home stadiumMangweni Stadium
IRL ranking4thth
Uniforms
First colours
Team results
First game
Samoa Western Samoa 40 - 30 Tonga Tonga
(Apia, Samoa; November 1988)
Biggest win
Tokelau Tokelau 0 - 62 Tonga Tonga
(Auckland, New Zealand; December 2006
Biggest defeat
New Zealand New Zealand 74 - 0 Tonga Tonga
(Auckland, New Zealand; 27 October 1999)
World Cup
Appearances2 (first time in 1995)
Best resultRound 1, 1995 and 2000

The Tonga national rugby league team is a national sporting side, representing Tonga in rugby league. Rugby league is a popular sport in Tonga, and the national team has become one of the best performed nations in the world. Tonga competes biennually with other several other Pacific Islands nations in the Pacific Cup a competition they have won outright on two occasions, along with finishing as the runner-up on another two. They are the fourth-ranked team in the world currently, behind only the "big three" rugby league nations in Australia, New Zealand and England. Tonga to date have competed at two Rugby League World Cups in 1995 and 2000 and were the first team to qualify for the 2008 tournament.

Rugby league was introduced to Tonga in 1986 with the staging of the Pacific Cup in Rarotonga and in 1988 the national side played its first Test match against Western Samoa in Apia. Since then Tonga has played regularly against the Pacific Islands nations and on a less regular basis against nations such England, France and New Zealand.

While Tonga have always been a well performed rugby nation since their debut match in 1988 it is more recently where they have made their most serious progress in the international game. They finished second in the inaugural Federation Shield in 2006 where they beat both France and Samoa and since 1988 have qualified for two World Cups where Tonga have however performed unexceptionally and have as of yet failed to qualify past the group stages at the tournament.

Tonga traditionally play in a predominately red uniform with white sides and socks, they are commonly referred to as the mate ma'a Tonga which when translated means Die for Tonga. The Tongan emblem is a red and blue badge with a rugby ball and the mate ma'a written across it. Tonga internationals are played at a variety of venues throughout the country, though it is Mangweni Stadium in the capital of Nukuʻalofa that is most commonly used.

History

Main article: History of the Tonga national rugby league team

Rugby league would first gain attention in Tonga when the Pacific Cup would be partially held in the country during 1986. After this initial exposure to the Tongan people several clubs began to form or switch from rugby union to rugby league and by 1988 the nation had enough depth in their player pool to begin playing national fixtures and would enter the 1988 Pacific Cup competition held in Apia, Samoa. During that Pacific Cup the Tongans would play in three fixtures winning a sole match while losing the other two, with their first international victory coming against the American Samoa side a match that would end 38-14.

Over the next two years the national side would sporadically play international fixtures but it would not be until the 1992 Pacific Cup when they would again begin playing with some regularity. At the 1992 Cup competition the side would show significant improvement on their previous inaugural cup effort with victories over Niue, Cook Islands, Fiji and the New Zealand Maori[1]. This run of victories would earn them a place in the final of the 1992 Pacific Cup against the Western Samoan side but they would eventually lose a close fought match by four points 18-14. The following tournament two years later would see the Tongan side show further improvement with several comfortable victories again earning them a spot in final of the Pacific Cup this time against the Fijians whom had never defeated the Tongans at that time. The final would be a tough affair but the Mate Ma'a would again be victorious over Fiji 34-11 and would claim their maiden Pacific Cup title.

During 1995 Tonga would qualify for their first World Cup that year and be seeded in the strong group B with both New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. While Tonga would fail to win a match at the World Cup they would earn copious amounts of respect after they would only narrowly lose to the New Zealand team by a single point and earn a draw against Papua New Guinea.

The next four years would see the Tongan side appear in a further Pacific Cup in 1997 and then qualify for the 2000 World Cup with comfortable victories over the Cook Islands, Tokelau and American Samoa. Prior to appearing at the 2000 competition the Tongans arranged a friendly fixture against the New Zealand side that they had come so close to defeating during the previous World Cup but would this time face their heaviest defeat to date going down 74-0 and suffering a large dent in confidence prior to the competition.

After the heavy defeat to New Zealand their next international fixture would be during their second World Cup where the Tongans would again be placed in another tough group with France, Papua New Guinea again and the South Africans. Tonga would face South Africa in their first match of the tournament where they would be comfortable victors in a 66-18 drubbing, however the rest of the tournament would not be so kind to the Tongan side with loses to both France and Papua New Guinea meaning the Tongans would again fail to make it past the first stage of the tournament.

With a disappointing World Cup behind them the Mate Ma'a would regroup and again enter the Pacific Cup four years later in 2004. The tournament saw the Tongans again qualify for the tournament final with victories over both the Cook Islands and Fiji but the side would suffer a heavy defeat at the hands of neighbouring Samoa 51-18. 2006 saw the Tongan side re-enter the Pacific Cup where again they performed strongly qualifying for their second consecutive final where this time they would reverse their previous effort with a strong victory over Fiji 22-4 giving them their second Pacific Cup title. 2006 would continue to be a busy year of international fixtures for the Tongans which saw them gain qualification into the 2008 World Cup after they would finish top of their Pacific group ahead of the Cook Islands, Fiji and Samoa and then defeat the Samoans 18-10 in the qualifying final. They would also enter the inaugural Federation Shield competition along with England, France and Samoa and eventually finish second. England to face Tonga in League final] to the English in the final 32-14 after they had defeated both France and Samoa.

2008 World Cup Squad

No Player Position Domestic Club
1 Toshio Laiseni Full back Newtown Jets
2 Taniela Tuiaki Wing Wests Tigers
3 Lopini Paea Centre Sydney Roosters
4 Cooper Vuna Centre Newcastle Knights
5 Taniela Lasalo Wing unattached
6 Feleti Mateo Stand off Parramatta Eels
7 Mickey Paea Half back Sydney Roosters
8 Fuifui Moimoi Prop Parramatta Eels
9 Eddie Paea Hooker South Sydney Rabbitohs
10 Antonio Kaufusi Prop Melbourne Storm
11 Awen Guttenbeil Second Row Castleford Tigers / Retired
12 Richard Fa’aoso Second Row Newcastle Knights
13 Louis Anderson Loose forward Warrington Wolves
14 Manase Manuokafoa Prop South Sydney Rabbitohs
15 Epalahame Lauaki Prop New Zealand Warriors
16 Willie Manu Second Row Hull FC
17 Michael Jennings Second Row Penrith Panthers
18 Andrew Emelio Prop Canterbury Bulldogs
19 Fraser Anderson Loose forward Cronulla Sharks
20 Tevita Leo-Latu Hooker Wakefield Wildcats
21 Fetuli Talanoa Centre South Sydney Rabbitohs
22 Esikeli Tonga Full Back Gold Coast Titans
23 Tony Williams]] Wing Manly Sea Eagles
24 Joel Tauf'ao Second Row unattached
25 Etuate Uaisele Prop Newcastle Knights

2008 World Cup squad

Tonga 2008 Starting Team

Replacements

Notable players

Since rugby league has been known to the nation of Tonga officially in 1988 many players of Tongan birth or heritage have gone on to attain notability in representing either Tonga, other nations or appear in major domestic leagues around the world, some of the more notable Tongans have included:

Player Position Association to Tonga Distinctions
Jim Dymock Loose forward Parental heritage Current Tonga coach
1995 World Cup winner
John Hopoate Wing Born Nukuʻalofa, Tonga Former Tonga & Australia international
1995 World Cup winner
Willie Mason Prop / Second Row Parental heritage Former Tonga & current Australia international
2000 World Cup
Tevita Vaikona Wing Born Nukuʻalofa, Tonga Former Tonga international
2000 World Cup
Lesley Vainikolo Wing Born Nukuʻalofa, Tonga Former New Zealand international

Honours

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ 1992 Pacific Cup (New Zealand) International Competitions Website Retrieved on 18 May 2007.

Michael Lea (otahuhu titans) postn:Hooker, prop. Paulos Latu ( Otahuhu Titans) Loose head, last man. George Siosifa (Mangry magpies) standoff, wing. Sanitesi faasla (centre, wing). Moele Raufa (wesley C) wing, fullback

References

  • "Rugby League Tables and Statistics". The World of Rugby League. Retrieved 17 May. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)

External links

Official websites

News sites

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