Tonga national rugby union team

The Tonga national rugby union team is nicknamed Ikale Tahi (Sea Eagles). Like their Polynesian neighbours, the Tongans start their matches with a war dance - the Kailao.

Related Topics:
Tonga - Kailao

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They are members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance (PIRA) along with Fiji and Samoa.

Related Topics:
Fiji - Samoa

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Despite a total population of just 100,000 and a rugby playing population of less than 800 seniors Tonga is remarkably good at rugby union. The money coming back from Tongan players playing rugby abroad is Tonga's second biggest export after sugar. Islanders like Willie Ofahengaue and brothers Steve and Toutai Kefu have played for Australia and Finau Maka, Charles Riechelmann and Pita Alatini wore the black shirt of New Zealand, as did the most famous player of Tongan ancestry - the mighty All Black winger Jonah Lomu.

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