Rugby league in Tonga

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rugby league is a popular team sport played in Tonga. Tonga boasts one of the most vibrant rugby league competitions in the Pacific islands and continues to produce outstanding players. Tonga is well known for its exports to rugby league's two major club competitions, the National Rugby League of Australasia and the Super League of Europe.

1 Popularity
2 The National Team
3 See also
4 Sources

[edit] Popularity

The Tongan rugby league competition is comprised of the following teams:

Lapaha Knights
Mu'a Saints
Puke/Hofa Turtles
Havelu Bulldogs
Vaini Doves
Kolmu'a Warriors
Nakolo Raiders
Ha'ateiho Spartans
Halaloto Barbarians
Houma Tigers
Ha'ateiho Crusaders
Lavengamalie Hurricanes

[edit] Participation

[edit] Statistics

[edit] Demographics

[edit] History

Rugby league first came to the islands in 1986, with first international competition in the Pacific Cup in 1988.

After early promise the game took a turn for the worse during the Super League war, which not only affected the elite competitions in Europe and Australia but also the game in the Pacific Islands. This was followed by a fall in revenue from the 2000 Rugby League World Cup, and the banning of cigarette sponsorship in Tonga almost saw the game disappear.

[edit] Current Trends

[edit] The National Team

Main Article: Tonga national rugby league team

Since Tonga began competing in international rugby league it has participated in the Pacific Cup (since 1988), World Sevens (1994-2003), World Cup (since 1995), Superleague World Nines (1996,1997), Superleague Oceania Tournament (1997), Papua New Guinea Fiftieth Anniversary Competition (1998) and Pacific Rim (2004) competitions.

[edit] See also

Tonga national rugby league team

[edit] Sources

http://www.sportingo.com/rugby/rugby-leagu...ights/1001,2798

Rugby League National Links
Oceania	American Samoa \| Australia \| Cook Islands \| Fiji \| New Caledonia \| New Zealand \| Niue \| Papua New Guinea \| Samoa \| Tokelau \| Tonga
Asia	Georgia \| Japan \| Kazakhstan \| Lebanon \| Singapore
Home Nations	England \| Ireland \| Wales \| Scotland
Continental Europe	Austria \| Czech Republic \| Estonia \| France \| Germany \| Georgia \| Greece \| Hungary \| Italy \| Latvia \| Malta \| Moldova \| Netherlands \| Norway \| Portugal \| Russia \| Serbia
Africa	Morocco \| South Africa
Americas	Argentina \| Canada \| United States \| West Indies