Tonga Rugby Union has selected its first ‘Ikale Tahi squad for the 2026 World Rugby Nations Cup campaign.
The new Nations Cup is a biennial international competition starting this year, involving 12 teams from six continents. Matches will be played across the July and November international windows, with each team scheduled to play six games.
The tournament will begin on 4 July 2026 in Montevideo, Uruguay, where the host nation will face Georgia in the opening fixture.
The July matches will be staged across the Americas.
Under the competition format, teams will compete in pools, with the top-ranked side in each pool crowned champions.
The Nations Cup is designed to provide more consistent international competition for emerging rugby nations as they prepare for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Which unions will be competing?
A total of 12 unions will compete, all of whom have qualified for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia.
Samoa were the final team to qualify following their 13-13 draw against Belgium in the Final Qualification Tournament in Dubai last November.
Pool A (Americas and Pacific)
- Canada
- Chile
- Samoa
- Tonga
- Uruguay
- USA
Pool B (Europe, Africa and Asia)
- Georgia
- Hong Kong China
- Portugal
- Romania
- Spain
- Zimbabwe
The competition follows a round-robin format across two windows, with each team playing six matches – three in July and three in November – against opposition from the opposite pool.
All results feed into the standings, with the highest-ranked team in each pool crowned champions at the end of the tournament.
Unlike the Nations Championship 2026, there will be no finals day. Instead, the format guarantees regular, competitive fixtures for all participating teams, supporting development and consistency ahead of Australia 2027.
The Team: Representing Villages, Islands, and Heritage
Backs
Augustine Pulu
Leimatu‘a, Mataika, Neiafu (Vv) & Hofoa (Tt)
Siaosi Nginiginji
Tu‘atakilangi, Kolofou (Tt)
Sonatane Takulua
Lapaha, Ma‘ufanga (Tt) & Niuafo‘ou
Otumaka Mausia
Ha‘ateiho & Longomapu (Vv)
Patrick Pellegrini
Mu‘a, Takatakamotonga (Tt)
William Havili
Kolomotu‘a & Sopu (Tt)
Fetuli Paea
Ha‘asini, Hamula (Tt) & Ta‘anea (Vv)
Pita Ahki
Sapa‘ata (‘Eua), Ma‘ufanga (Tt) & Saleimoa (Upolu)
Solomone Kata
Niuafo‘ou & Leimatu‘a (Vv)
Anzelo Tuitavuki
Kolomotu‘a, Angaha (‘Eua), Niuafo‘ou
Fine Inisi
Longoteme, Folaha (Tt), Feletoa (Vv), Ta‘akimoeaka, Futu (‘Eua), Fangale‘ounga (Hp) & Falelatai Upolu (Samoa)
Taniela Filimone
Koulo, ‘Oua (Hp)
Telusa Veainu
Matahau (Tt) & Longolongo (Tt)
Forwards
- Fatongia Paea
- Siegfried Fisi‘ihoi
- Jay Fonokalafi
- Samiuela Moli
- Leimatua (Vv) & Te‘ekiu (Tt)
- Sekope Lopeti Moli
- Leimatua, Holonga (Vv)
- Pea, Te‘ekiu (Tt)
- Ha‘ano (Hp)
- Atu Moli
- Leimatua (Vv) & Te‘ekiu (Tt)
- Paula Latu
- Mataika, Tu‘anuku (Vv) & Uiha (Hp)
- Phillip Kite
- Adam Coleman
- Halaleva Fifita
- Veikoso Poloniati
- Jimmy Tupou
- Lotu Inisi
- Longoteme, Folaha (Tt)
- Feletoa (Vv)
- Ta‘akimoeaka, Futuna (‘Eua)
- Fangale‘ounga (Hp)
- Falelatai, Upolu (Samoa)
- Otunuku Pauta
- Fua‘amotu, Ha‘asini (Tt)
- Samuel Tuitupou
- Makave (Vv)
- Sopu, Kolomotu‘a (Tt)
- Semisi Paea
- Sione Tu‘ipulotu
- Longolongo, Kolofou, Talafo‘ou & ‘Oua (Hp)
