The national sport of Tonga is rugby union. Association football has a following, while judo, surfing, volleyball, and cricket have gained in popularity in recent years. Rugby league is also played.
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Rugby union is the most popular sport in Tonga. Rugby union is governed by the Tonga Rugby Football Union, which is also a member of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance.
Rugby union is popular in the nation's schools and students from schools such as Tupou College are regularly offered scholarships from New Zealand, Australia and Japan. Though Tongans are passionate rugby followers, the small population base means that internationally, Tongan rugby continually struggles. Often, young talent emigrate to countries which offer greater prospects of individual success such as New Zealand and Australia.
The national team (Ikale Tahi) has performed quite well on the international stage. Although the national team has not performed as well as neighboring Samoa and Fiji, Tonga has competed at five Rugby World Cups, the first being in 1987. The team achieved its best-ever performance in 2007, winning two matches against the USA and Samoa before losing narrowly to South Africa, the eventual winners of the competition, and England, the runners-up. By finishing third in their group, Tonga gained automatic qualification to the 2011 Rugby World Cup, to be held in New Zealand.
Tonga performs the 'Sipi Tau' (war dance) before its matches. Tonga used to compete in the Pacific Tri-Nations against Samoa and Fiji which has now been replaced by the IRB Pacific 6 Nations involving Japan as well as the second string All Blacks (Junior All Blacks) and Wallabies (Australia A). At club level, there are the Datec Cup Provincial Championship and the Pacific Rugby Cup.
Tonga contributes to the Pacific Islanders rugby union team. Jonah Lomu, Viliami (William) 'Ofahengaue and George Smith are all of Tongan descent.
There are 10 first division sides in the Global Insurance Cup and there are 9 in the second division. Only Kolomu'a Warriors (One of two Nuku'alofa Clubs) and the Vaini Doves have first and second division sides. The First Division sides have been, to a greater extent, regular participants in the competition since the inception of League in 1988. Those sides are Kolomu'a, Vaini, Mu'a Saints, Silapeluua (Ha'ateiho) Crusaders, Lapaha Knights, Ha'akame Broncos, Hihifo Rovers, Havelu Bulldogs, Halaloto Barbarians and Nakolo Raiders. The Second Division consists of a number of clubs that have participated infrequently over a number of years. However, regulars in the Second Division are Fatumu, Ha'ateiho Spartans and Ngalukilo Stormers.
Secondary Schools Competition started in 2007 with 5 teams in the under 18s competition and 8 teams in the Under 16s. Takuilau High School won the Under 18s competition and Liahona High School won the Under 16s competition.
It is the largest number of teams and players participating in rugby league in Tongan history, with the National Schools Committee starting the Under 12s, Under 14s and Under 15s in 2008.
TNRL estimate that there are roughly 1,500 players playing rugby league in Tonga for 2007.
Tonga are represented internationally by the Tonga national rugby league team who have competed in three Rugby League World Cup and also compete in regular Pacific Cup competitions. Tonga is currently ranked 9th in the world.
The first Tongan to play in the NFL was running back/kick returner Vai Sikahema (1986-1993). Offensive Lineman Spencer Folau, born in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, was a member of the Super Bowl XXXV champion Baltimore Ravens. Tongan Americans currently playing in the NFL include Pro Bowl Nose Tackle Haloti Ngata of the Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets Nose Tackle Sione Pouha, Minnesota Vikings Fullback Naufahu Tahi and Kansas City Chiefs Tight End Tony Moeaki. Offensive Guard Deuce Lutui, who was born in the Haʻapai division of islands, plays for the Cincinnati Bengals. Carolina Panthers Defensive tackle Ma'ake Kemoeatu and his brother offensive lineman Chris Kemoeatu, who has won two Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers, are natives of Tonga.
Boxer Paea Wolfgram won the silver medal in the Super Heavyweight division (> 91kg) at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics. Although he is not the first Pacific Islander to medal at an Olympics. He is the first to do so representing a Pacific Island nation. This makes Tonga the first and only Pacific island nation to date to ever win a medal at the Olympic Games. Because Tonga has only a population of one hundred and ten thousand it statistically makes Tonga the most successful nation in Olympic history.
Princess Pilolevu Tuita is the patron of the Luge Federation of the Kingdom of Tonga, his only sportsman Bruno Banani failed skimpy in the Qualification to the 2010 Olympic Games[1], formerly was 41st at 2009–10 Luge World Cup in Calgary.[2]
The sport was first played in 2003, when the Tonga Australian Football Association was founded. A schools competition has been played yearly since then, including a tour to Samoa. A Tongan team competed at the 2004 Australian Football Multicultural Cup.
The senior men's representative team is known as the Black Marlins and hosted Australian amateur team the Fitzroy Reds in late 2006.
Although the Black Marlins could not raise the money required to send a team to the 2008 Australian Football International Cup, an Tongan-Australian side did participate in the multicultural division of the competition against multicultural sides from Asia and Africa.
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