World Cup 2017: Tonga

If RL isn't the biggest thing at the moment in this island nation, then I'll eat my hat, then my scarf for afters. For them to do so well in any sport is unique to this great game.

Report card: The first showing was in 1995 and for a first time effort, it was amazing. They lost by a point to New Zealand and drew with PNG. In 2000 a big win over South Africa was tempered by loses to France and PNG. Still, +20 in the points. In 2008 a win and a loss. 2013 three tight games but no quarter final.

Into 2017 and suddenly it was up a notch. Scotland were dispatched 50-4, Samoa 32-18 and then surprisingly New Zealand 28-22. The first time into the quarter finals and a stubborn Lebanon was squeezed past 24-22. Them the big semi final game against England and a late burst of scoring had them come up short 18-20. This was well over expectations and into the top four.

Final ranking for the tournament: 1st to 4th (out of 14 teams).

The chart shows the previous WC tournaments Tonga has attended. The lower figure for each year is the points differential for the group stage only.

				95			00			08			13			17
				W	D	L	W	D	L	W	D	L	W	D	L	W	D	L
					1	1	1		2	2		1	2		1	4		1
				-1			+20			-6			+20			+66

Other teams ranked at the 2017 WC. Click on the nation to go to that article.

12th - 14th: Scotland, Wales, USA.
9th - 11th: France, Italy, Samoa.
5th - 8th: Ireland, Lebanon, New Zealand, PNG.
1st - 4th: Australia, England, Fiji, Tonga.