Tonga qualifies to Rugby World Cup, joins South Africa and Ireland in Pool B

Tonga have qualified to the 2023 Rugby World Cup following a 44-22 win over Hong Kong in the final of the Asia Pacific qualifying tournament.

Having defeated by Samoa in both legs of their Oceania 1 play-off, Tonga locked horns in the Asia/Pacific 1 play-off against Hong Kong following a 54-10 win over Cook Islands.

Sonatane Takulua scored two tries in the first half to guide Tonga to a 20-8 lead in the opening half. He then added a third in the second half as they sealed a comfortable win to head to the showpiece event next year.

Tonga now are grouped in Pool B along with South Africa, Ireland, Scotland and Romania. They will begin their World Cup campaign with a clash against Ireland in Nantes on 16th September.

Hong Kong still have a chance to make it to the World Cup as they compete in the Final Qualification Tournament in November along with Portugal, Kenya and USA.

Groups:

Pool A: New Zealand, France, Italy, Uruguay, Namibia
Pool B: South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, Romania, Tonga
Pool C: Wales, Australia, Fiji, Georgia, Final Qualifier Winner
Pool D: England, Japan, Argentina, Samoa, Chile