– There are two sets of brothers in the Tongan squad. Captain Inoke Afeaki is joined by his younger brother Stanley, while along with Milton Ngaumo and older brother Mike.
– 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.
– The team are nicknamed IKALE TAHI (‘The Sea Eagles’).
– The National Anthem is –
‘E ‘Otua Mafimafi, Ko ho mau ‘Eimi koe,
Ko Koe ko e falala ‘anga, Mo e ‘ofa ki Tonga:
‘Afio hifo ’emau lotu ‘Aia ‘oku mau fai ni,
Mo ke tali ho mau loto ‘O malu’i ‘a Tupou.
– After losing to Italy on October 15, the Tongan record in Rugby World Cup final rounds is – Won 2, lost 8. They have scored 132 points (inc 15 tries) and conceded 395 points at an average of nearly 40 points against per match.
– Tonga are coached in the 2003 World Cup by former New Zealand Maori forward Jim Love.
– Overall test record is Played 170, Won 64, Lost 101, Drawn 5 – thus they have won 38% of their matches.
– Cup skipper is lock Inoke Afeaki, who was first-capped in 1995.
– Best days in Tongan history include their first-ever test win – against Fiji in 1924 – two test wins over the NZ Maoris in 1969 and a 16-11 success against Australia in Brisbane in 1973.
– Top Tongan score is 119-0 against Korea this year. Top Tongan loss was to New Zealand in 2000 by 102-0. Tonga scored 17 tries against Korea, but conceded 15 to the All Blacks.
– Most-capped Tongan is Kuli Faletau (now Ebbw Vale and formerly Tonmawr and Pontypool). He has won 52 caps.
– Current fly half Sateki Tuipulotu is their highest-ever points scorer with 182. Three Tuipulotu’s currently play in Wales – Kati at Narberth, Manu at Ebbw Vale and Sione Mone at Newport. Kati’s son is named CARWYN Tuipulotu! (apparently named after legendary Wales coach Carwyn James)
– Tonga start matches with a War Dance – The SIPI TAU.
– In the current squad is Celtic Warrior Sililo Martens and former Blackwood centre Tony Alatini.
