Tonga had to play eight matches to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2003 after four defeats in their Oceania zone qualifiers against Fiji and Samoa left them propping up the second round table.
These defeats forced the Pacific Island nation into the Repechage for the second successive qualifying campaign, where they faced Papua New Guinea, the Oceania third round winners.
A 131-26 aggregate win over Papua New Guinea set up a meeting with Asia zone runners-up South Korea, a side they had previously met en route to the 1999 tournament.
The Ikale Tahi, as the national team are known, cruised to a 75-0 win before bettering that with a record 119-0 victory at home in Nuku’alofa to become the 19th qualifiers for Rugby World Cup 2003.
Tonga have played in three of the previous tournaments – they failed to qualify in 1991 – now want to emulate the achievement of fellow Pacific Islanders Fiji and Samoa by reaching the knock out phases.
Tonga have managed only two victories in Rugby World Cups, against Ivory Coast in 1995 and Italy four years ago.
The highlight of Tongan rugby history came in June 1973 when they recorded their only victory against Australia, 16-11 at Ballymore in Brisbane. A more recent highpoint was their 20-16 defeat of France in Nuku’alofa in June 1999.
Renowned for their hard-hitting tackles and strong running, many players of Tongan descent have represent the likes of Australia and New Zealand, including Willie Ofahenguae, Toutai Kefu and Jonah Lomu.
The likes of captain Inoke Afeaki and Pierre Hola are key players for Tonga, while other rugby league stars Lesley Vainikolo and Tevita Vaikona could prove interesting if they make the squad.