Tonga women's national rugby league team

For the men's team, see Tonga national rugby league team.
Tonga
Team information
NicknameMate Ma'a Tonga
RegionAsia-Pacific
Head coachMeg Ward
CaptainNatasha Penitani
Home stadiumTeufaiva
IRL ranking 14 1 (17 November 2025)[1]
Uniforms
First colours
Team results
First international
4 — 44 Samoa 
North Harbour Stadium, Albany, NZ
30 September 2003
Biggest win
66 — 8 Niue 
Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland, NZ
7 November 2020
Biggest defeat
0 — 54 Great Britain 
North Harbour Stadium, Albany, NZ
2 October 2003
World Cup
Appearances2 (first time in 2003)

The Tonga women's national rugby league team (Tongan: timi līki ʻakapulu fakafonua fefine ʻa Tonga), is under the former governing body TNRL. The first Tonga women's team was in 2003 and known as the Mate Ma'a Tonga women's team administered by the Tonga National Rugby League (TNRL) body. The newly formed Tonga women's national rugby league incorporated is under the Tongan Government with the national men's team. TNRL are no longer the national administrating body for Tonga Rugby League.

Head to head record

Opponent FM MR M W D L Win% PF PA Share
 Samoa 2003 2024 3 0 0 3 0.00% 20 114 14.93%
 Great Britain 2003 2003 1 0 0 1 0.00% 0 54 0.00%
Tokelau 2003 2003 2 0 0 2 0.00% 16 54 22.86%
Niue 2003 2020 2 1 1 0 75.00% 80 22 78.43%
 New Zealand 2008 2023 3 0 0 3 0.00% 26 120 17.81%
 Pacific Islands 2008 2008 1 0 0 1 0.00% 14 44 24.14%
 Russia 2008 2008 1 0 0 1 0.00% 12 24 33.33%
 France 2008 2008 1 0 0 1 0.00% 4 34 10.53%
 Cook Islands 2025 2025 1 0 0 1 0.00% 24 42 36.36%
 Papua New Guinea 2025 2025 1 1 0 0 100.00% 42 6 87.50%
Totals 2003 2025 16 2 1 13 15.62% 238 514 31.65%

Notes:

  • Table last updated 2 November 2025.
  • Share is the portion of "For" points compared to the sum of "For" and "Against" points.

Coaches

The current Mate Ma'a Tonga head coach is Meg Ward, assisted by Vanessa Foliaki.[2]

Name Tests Nines Ref.
Span M W D L W% Span M W D L W%
Unknown 2003 5 4 1 0 10% N/A
Tara Naite 2008 5 0 0 0 0% N/A [3]
Andrew Emelio N/A 2018 4 2 0 2 50% [4]
Dion Briggs 2020 1 1 0 0 100% N/A [5]
Milton Dymock 2022 1 0 0 1 0% N/A [6]
Kelvin Wright 2023-24 2 0 0 2 0% N/A
Meg Ward 2025 2 1 0 1 50% N/A [2]

Players

The Mate Ma'a Tonga squad for the 2025 Pacific Championships was announced on 7 October 2025.

Jersey numbers in the table reflect the Round 3 match versus the PNG Orchids

Tallies in the table reflect the match versus PNG Orchids on 1 November 2025.

J# Player Age Position(s) Mate Ma’a Tonga Club NRLW Other Reps
Dbt M T G F Pts CM TM T G F Pts
1 Ana Malupo 19 Fullback, Wing 2025 2 0 0 0 0 Cowboys 3 3 0 0 0 0 —
2 Moana Courtenay 25 Wing, Centre 2025 2 2 0 0 8 Bulldogs 10 10 3 0 0 12 —
3 Fane Finau 19 Centre, Second-row 2025 2 0 0 0 0 Knights 4 4 2 0 0 8 —
4 Martha Mataele 26 Centre, Wing 2025 2 3 0 0 12 Eels 11 11 7 0 0 28 —
5 Simina Lokotui 19 Wing, Centre 2025 2 2 0 0 8 Bulldogs 7 7 1 0 0 4 —
6 Malia Tu'Ifua — Five-eighth, Prop 2025 2 1 0 0 4 — 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
7 Emmanita Paki 22 Halfback, Centre 2024 3 1 7 0 18 Warriors 11 15 2 0 0 8 2
8 Natasha Penitani 25 Prop, Lock 2022 5 0 0 0 0 Titans 12 21 1 0 0 4 —
9 Seli Mailangi 28 Hooker 2022 5 1 0 0 4 Rabbitohs 0 12 1 0 0 4 —
17 Ruby Fifita 25 Prop 2025 2 1 0 0 4 Tigers 3 3 0 0 0 0 —
11 Shannon Muru 27 Second-row 2022 4 1 0 0 4 Bulldogs 10 14 1 0 0 4 —
16 Tatiana Finau 21 Second-row 2025 2 0 0 0 0 Raiders 9 9 0 0 0 0 —
13 Amelia Huakau 30 Lock, Second-row 2022 4 0 0 0 0 Tigers 11 21 1 0 0 4 —
10 Kalosipani Hopoate 21 Prop 2022 4 1 0 0 4 Bulldogs 10 34 3 0 0 12 1
15 Jade Fonua 28 Lock 2023 4 1 0 0 4 Tigers 11 25 0 0 0 0 —
18 Pauline Suli-Ruka 18 Second-row 2025 2 0 0 0 0 Bulldogs 5 5 0 0 0 0 1
20 Paea Uilou 20 Prop 2024 2 0 0 0 0 Bulldogs 4 4 0 0 0 0 —
21 Vanessa Foliaki 32 Second-row 2023 2 0 0 0 0 — 0 38 2 0 0 8 6 6 1 1 1
– Manilita Takapautolo 19 Second-row, Prop 2024 1 1 0 0 4 Sharks 20 20 1 0 0 4 —
– Kaylani Tavita — Hooker 2025 1 0 0 0 0 Magpies 0 0 0 0 0 0 —
S Aliyah Nasio 19 Second-row, Lock — 0 0 0 0 0 Roosters 16 16 2 0 0 8 1
– Lavinia Tauhalaliku 26 Wing 2022 3 1 0 0 4 Warriors 3 7 2 0 0 8 1

Notes:

Results

Full internationals

Date Opponent Score Tournament Venue Video Report(s)
30 Sep 2003  Samoa
4–44
 2003 World Cup North Harbour Stadium — [7]
2 Oct 2003  Great Britain
0–54
 — [8]
4 Oct 2003 Tokelau
4–28
 — [9]
8 Oct 2003 Niue
14–14
 — [10]
12 Oct 2003 Tokelau
12–26
 — [11]
6 Nov 2008  Samoa
0–40
 2008 World Cup Stockland Park, Sunshine Coast —
8 Nov 2008  New Zealand
4–42
 [12]
10 Nov 2008  Pacific Islands
14–44
— [13]
12 Nov 2008  Russia
12–24
 — [14]
14 Nov 2008  France
4–34
 — [15]
7 Nov 2020  Niue
66–8
Test Match Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland [16] [17]
25 Jun 2022  New Zealand
12–50
 Test Match Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland [18][19] [20][21]
21 Oct 2023  New Zealand
10–28
 2023 Pacific Championship Eden Park, Auckland [22] [23]
19 Oct 2024  Samoa
16–30
 2024 Pacific Championship HFC Bank Stadium, Suva [24] [25]
25 Oct 2025  Cook Islands
24–42
 2025 Pacific Championship PNG Football Stadium, Port Moresby [26] [27]
1 Nov 2025  Papua New Guinea
42–6
[28] [29]


Nines

Date Opponent Score Tournament Venue Video Report(s)
23 Feb 2018  Canada
8–4
2018 Commonwealth Championship Dolphin Stadium, Brisbane [30] [31]
23 Feb 2018  Cook Islands
12–4
— [32]
24 Feb 2018  Samoa
0–20
— [33]
24 Feb 2018  Cook Islands
0–20
— —

Records

Margins and streaks

Biggest winning margins

Margin Score Opponent Venue Date
58 66–8  Niue Go Media Stadium 7 Nov 2020
36 42–6  Papua New Guinea Santos Stadium 1 Nov 2025

Biggest losing margins

Margin Score Opponent Venue Date
54 0–54  Great Britain North Harbour Stadium 2 Oct 2003
40 4–44  Samoa North Harbour Stadium 30 Sep 2003
40 0–40  Samoa Sunshine Coast Stadium 6 Nov 2008
38 12–50  New Zealand Go Media Stadium 25 June 2022
38 4–42  New Zealand Sunshine Coast Stadium 8 Nov 2008
30 14–44   Pacific Islands Sunshine Coast Stadium 10 Nov 2008
30 4–34  France Sunshine Coast Stadium 14 Nov 2008

Most consecutive wins
Tonga women have not yet won two consecutive matches.

Most consecutive losses

Matches First loss Last loss Days Ended Days
6 12 Oct 2003 14 Nov 2008 5 years, 34 days 7 Nov 2020 17 years, 54 days
4 25 Jun 2022 25 Oct 2025 3 years, 122 days 1 Nov 2025 3 years, 129 days

Note: Tonga went winless for 10 matches from 30 September 2003 to 14 November 2008 (5 years, 46 days), with the losing sequence split by a draw in the fourth of the ten matches, on 8 October 2003.

See also

References

  1. ^ "IRL World Rankings: Women". International Rugby League. 17 November 2025. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  2. ^ a b c Walter, Brad; Edawards, Colleen (26 Aug 2025). "Ward and Foliaki reunite to plot path forward for Tonga". NRL. Retrieved 7 Oct 2025.
  3. ^ Women's and Police Rugby League World Cups Official Event Program. Kawana, Queensland: Queensland Police Service Rugby League Association Inc. 3 Nov 2008.
  4. ^ "Commonwealth Championship teams named". QRL. Commonwealth Championship Media. 20 Feb 2018. Retrieved 20 Apr 2021.
  5. ^ Anderson, Talei (6 Nov 2000). "Clash of the Pacific brings rare rugby league internationals to NZ". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 10 Oct 2023.
  6. ^ Newton, Alicia (17 Jun 2022). "NRLW young guns named for Mate Ma'a Tonga". NRL. Retrieved 17 Jun 2022.
  7. ^ "SPORT details". Daily Telegraph. 1 Oct 2003. p. 82.
  8. ^ Gillan, Gordon (2 Oct 2003). "Kiwi Ferns face onslaught". New Zealand Herald. p. 15.
  9. ^ Birchall, Steven (4 Oct 2003) [2003]. "Womens [sic] World Cup : Round Three Results". womens.rleague.com. Australian Womens [sic] Rugby League. Archived from the original on 2004-11-29. Retrieved 30 Oct 2020.
  10. ^ "SPORT details". Daily Telegraph. 9 Oct 2003. p. 57.
  11. ^ "Women's Rugby League". Rugby League Review. 1 Nov 2003. p. 8.
  12. ^ "Kiwi Ferns v Tonga". YouTube. NZ Rugby League. 4 Aug 2017 [2008]. Retrieved 30 Sep 2020.
  13. ^ Gardiner, Peter (11 Nov 2008). "Poms Put In Place". Sunshine Coast Daily. p. 40.
  14. ^ Tuxworth, Jon (13 Nov 2008). "Sister Act". Sunshine Coast Daily. p. 48.
  15. ^ "English pride comes to the fore". Sunshine Coast Daily. 15 Nov 2008. p. 106.
  16. ^ "Niue Women vs Tonga Women 2020 Full". NZRugbyVidz. 7 Nov 2020. Retrieved 9 Nov 2020.
  17. ^ "Tonga Too Classy With A 66-8 Victory Over Niue". New Zealand Rugby League. 7 Nov 2020. Retrieved 20 Apr 2021.
  18. ^ "2022 Women's Test Match Highlights: New Zealand v Tonga - NRL on Nine". YouTube. NRL on Nine. 25 Jun 2022. Retrieved 26 Jun 2022.
  19. ^ "Kiwi Ferns v Mate Ma'a Tonga - Full Match Replay - Women's Pacific Test, 2022 - Internationals". YouTube. NRL - National Rugby League. 26 Jun 2022. Retrieved 27 Jun 2022.
  20. ^ "Kiwi Ferns Show Their Class to Beat Brave Tonga". NZRL. 25 Jun 2022. Retrieved 26 Jun 2022.
  21. ^ "Womenʼs Internationals - Kiwi Ferns 50 v 12 Mate Ma'a Tonga". NRL. 25 Jun 2022. Retrieved 26 Jun 2022.
  22. ^ "Women's Pacific Championships Highlights: New Zealand v Tonga - NRL on Nine". YouTube. NRL on Nine. 21 Oct 2023. Retrieved 22 Oct 2023.
  23. ^ Rosser, Corey (21 Oct 2023). "Roache bags three as Kiwi Ferns down Tonga". NRL. Retrieved 21 Oct 2023.
  24. ^ "Pacific Championships 2024 - Tonga XIII v Fetu Samoa - Match Highlights". YouTube. NRLW - National Rugby League Women's. 19 Oct 2024. Retrieved 19 Oct 2024.
  25. ^ Rosser, Corey (19 Oct 2024). "Samoa down Tonga to keep World Cup dream alive". NRL. Retrieved 19 Oct 2024.
  26. ^ "2025 Women's Pacific Championships - Moana v Tonga XIII - Match Highlights - Round 2". YouTube. NRLW - National Rugby League Women's. 25 Oct 2025. Retrieved 25 Oct 2025.
  27. ^ Morse, Callan (27 Oct 2025). "Cook Islands make history to win Pacific Bowl". National Indigenous Times. Australian Associated Press.
  28. ^ "2025 Women's Pacific Championships - PNG Orchids v Tonga XIII - Match Highlights - Round 3". YouTube. NRLW - National Rugby League Women's. 1 Nov 2025. Retrieved 1 Nov 2025.
  29. ^ Mathieson, Andrew (3 Nov 2025). "Tonga take down PNG to stake claim for future". National Indigenous Times. Australian Associated Press.
  30. ^ "2018 Commonwealth Championships: Canada Ravens vs. Tonga". YouTube. Canada Rugby League. 25 Feb 2018. Retrieved 18 Apr 2021.
  31. ^ Clarkstone, Julian (23 Feb 2018). "Commonwealth Championships: Day One Wrap-Up". Canada Rugby League. Retrieved 19 Apr 2021.
  32. ^ "Commonwealth Championship: Day 1 Results". QRL. Commonwealth Championship Media. 23 Feb 2018. Retrieved 1 Apr 2021.
  33. ^ "Commonwealth Championships Results - Day Two". Love Rugby League. 24 Feb 2018. Retrieved 1 Apr 2021.
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