Rugby league in Tonga
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.
are the governing body for rugby league in Tonga. They are members of the Rugby League International Federation
and the Pacific Islands Rugby League Federation
.
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. http://www.tnrl.to/contactus.htm
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.
Since Tonga began competing in international Rugby League it has participated in the Pacific Cup (since 1986), 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.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
is a popular team sport
Team sport
A team sport includes any sport which involves players working together towards a shared objective. A team sport is an activity in which a group of individuals, on the same team, work together to accomplish an ultimate goal which is usually to win. This can be done in a number of ways such as...
played in Tonga
Tonga
Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
.
Tonga
Tonga
Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
boasts one of the most vibrant rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
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
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
of Australasia and the Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
of Europe.
Governing body
The Tonga National Rugby LeagueTonga National Rugby League
The Tonga National Rugby League is the major rugby league tournament for semi-professional clubs in Tonga...
are the governing body for rugby league in Tonga. They are members of the Rugby League International Federation
Rugby League International Federation
The Rugby League International Federation is the world governing body of rugby league football. It was formed in 1998 in Sydney, Australia. Its purpose is to, "foster, develop, extend, govern and administer the game of Rugby League throughout the world". Its headquarters are in Sydney, Australia,...
and the Pacific Islands Rugby League Federation
Pacific Islands Rugby League Federation
The Pacific Islands Rugby League Federation is the governing body of rugby league in the South Pacific.Papua New Guinea's Sports Minister Philemon Embel is the chairman of the PIRLF.-History:...
.
Domestic competition
The Tongan Rugby League competition comprises 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
Participation
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. http://www.tnrl.to/contactus.htm
History
Rugby League first came to the islands in 1986 , with first international competition in the Pacific Cup in 1986 and it was held at Rarotonga and won by the NZ Maori.After early promise the game took a turn for the worse during the Super League war
Super League war
The Super League war is the common name given to the corporate dispute that was fought in and out of court during the mid-1990s between the Rupert Murdoch and News Corporation-backed Super League and the Kerry Packer and Optus Vision-backed Australian Rugby League organisations over broadcasting...
, 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
2000 Rugby League World Cup
The 2000 Rugby League World Cup was the twelfth staging of the Rugby League World Cup and was held during October and November of that year in Great Britain, Ireland and France...
, and the banning of cigarette sponsorship in Tonga almost saw the game disappear.
The National Team
Main Article: Tonga national rugby league teamTonga national rugby league team
The Tonga national rugby league team is a national sporting side, representing Tonga in rugby league football. Rugby league is a popular sport in Tonga, and the national team has become one of the best performed nations in the world...
Since Tonga began competing in international Rugby League it has participated in the Pacific Cup (since 1986), 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.
See also
- Tonga national rugby league teamTonga national rugby league teamThe Tonga national rugby league team is a national sporting side, representing Tonga in rugby league football. Rugby league is a popular sport in Tonga, and the national team has become one of the best performed nations in the world...
- Sport in TongaSport in TongaThe 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.-Rugby union:Rugby union is the most popular sport in Tonga...