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 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.
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 four Rugby World Cups, the first being in 1987, and its best result thus far was in 1995 when it reached the second round.
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 Tonga used to compete in the Pacific Tri-Nations against Samoa and Fiji which has now been replaced by the IRB Pacific 6 Nations involving Japan as well as the second string All Blacks (Junior All Blacks) and Wallabies (Australia A).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.
It should be added, however, that many players of Tongan descent also make it big in the Australian National Rugby League competition. These include Willy Mason, Brent Kite, Anthony Tupou, Antonio Kaufusi, to name but a few.
Former NFL runningback/kick returner Vai Sikahema and current Defensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers, Ma'ake Kemoeatu, are natives of Tonga.
Boxer Paea Wolfgram won the silver medal in the Super Heavyweight division (> 91kg) at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics, the first and only Pacific islander to date to ever win a medal at the Olympic Games.