Rugby union is the national sport of Tonga.
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Main article: Tonga Rugby Football Union |
Rugby union is governed by the Tonga Rugby Football Union who are also members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance.
Tonga were awarded 'second tier' status by the International Rugby Board which entitles them to funding from the IRB.
Rugby union is the national sport of Tonga and as in the rest of Polynesia is a way of life.
The International Rugby Board (IRB) estimates that Tonga has a total of 800 registered senior players and twice as many juniors.
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Main article: Datec Cup Provincial Championship |
The is the second highest level of competition within Tongan rugby union and is a stepping stone for local players into international rugby.
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Main article: Pacific Rugby Cup |
The IRB Pacific Rugby Cup started in 2006 and involves representative teams from the three Pacific rugby unions, Tonga along with Samoa and Fiji. Tonga has two sides in the tournament, Tau'uta Reds and Tautahi Gold. The aim of the tournamen is to improve the quality of rugby in the Pacific Islands.
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Main article: Tonga national rugby union team |
Tonga are considered to be a tier 2 rugby nation.
{main|Pacific Tri-Nations))
The Pacific Tri-Nations is the series between Tonga, Fiji and Samoa. It has been played since 1982.
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Main article: Tonga national rugby union team (sevens) |