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Subscribe to RSS FeedTonga Country Profile
Home stadium: Teufaiva Stadium (10, 000)
Nickname: Ikale Tahi (Sea Eagles)
Number of rugby players: 5,516
Website: www.planet-tonga.com
National champions: Tau'uta Reds
Strengths: Tonga have always been a physical team that relishes in-your-face rugby. When players suffer the misfortune of getting tackled by a Tongan, it takes them an extra couple of seconds to get up again. The men in red also like to throw the ball around, and - on their day - can run a side off their feet.
Weaknesses: The ferocious tackling is often head-high, which can lead to avoidable penalties against them. And while the Islanders can put in hard tackles, they only count when the target is actually hit. A lack of game-breakers in the team can also leave the Tongans hanging.
History in the tournament: 1987 - group stages, 1995 - group stages, 1999 - group stages, 2003 - group stages.
Prediction: Tonga have never made any real impact on the World Cup scene, managing just three wins in their four campaigns. They will not reach the quarter-finals, England and South Africa will make sure of that. However, if they play their cards right and secure victories over Samoa and the USA, they can at least make it their most successful World Cup to date.
Coach: Former Tongan player Quddus Fielea was fast-tracked into the top job earlier than planned after being mentored over the past year. His highlight in charge of Tonga will be the defeat of Fiji on Fijian soil for the first time since 1993.
Key Player: Perpignan flanker Viliami Vaki has worn the captain's armband for Tonga many a time, and while he may not be doing so at this tournament, he will certainly be setting his example around the paddock with his work-rate and hard hitting. He is prone to yellow cards though.
Captain: Flank Otenili Latu's leadership skills are highly valued by his coach and team-mates. Latu was handed the captain's arm band for all but one game in the 2007 Pacific Nations Cup and was undoubtedly the first choice to lead his country in the World Cup.
Rising star: Vungakoto Lilo at fullback is a potential star in the making. Regarded more as a Sevens player, Lilo has the vision to spot the smallest gaps. If given the space, Lilo has pace to burn and is amongst the top try-scorers on the IRB Sevens circuit. If he can keep up with the 15-man game, expect fireworks from this explosive runner of the ball.
Team Nemesis: The all-island rivalry between Tonga, Fiji and Samoa has always been a fierce one. The Samoans find themselves in the same pool as the Tongans, and have had the edge over their fellow islanders in recent encounters.
Likely headlines: 'Samoa see red as Tonga prevail', 'Tongans get a taste of Springbok in defeat'
Price of a pint: E1.50
Rugby player/sheep ratio: 1:15
