How good are Ireland's next Rugby World Cup opponents Tonga? 

It might be easy to dismiss a team who sit 15th in the world rankings but Tonga are a team with a few tricks up their sleeve.

Tonga players pose for a portrait during the Tonga Rugby World Cup 2023 Squad photocall. Pic: Karl Bridgeman - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images.

Team Profile

Manager/Coach: Toutai Kefu.

Captain: Sonatane Takulua.

Current World Ranking: 15th.

World Cups: 9 (1987, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023).

Best Finish: Pool stages.

RWC debut: 24 May, 1987 – Canada 37 Tonga 4, McLean Park, Napier, New Zealand.

RWC appearances: Played 29, Won 8, Draw 0, Lost 21, 472 points for, 966 points against, 28 per cent win percentage.

What sort of chance do Tonga have of beating Ireland on Saturday?

The boys in green put a helpless Romania to the sword in their opener 82-8 and to the uninitiated it seems likely they will do the same to Tonga this weekend. However, recent performances by the Polynesian outfit indicate that the Irishmen will have their work cut out for them. Tonga beat Canada convincingly in two test matches in preparation for the World Cup, so they go into the tournament with some form. On top of this, they have impressively qualified for nine of the ten Rugby World Cups since its inception in 1987, so there is no shortage of experience on the big stage for this tiny nation in the Southwestern Pacific. This is Tonga's first game of the tournament which can be looked at in one of two ways, either the rest and extra training hours will benefit them, or the lack of match time will hinder them against the Irish.

How have Tonga faired in past encounters with the Irish?

The sides have only met twice, first in June 1987 where Ireland prevailed 32-9 in a test match and later in 2003 for Ireland's Tour of Australia, Samoa & Tonga, this time Ireland came through 40-19. If the current world number 15 are to beat the Irish on Saturday it will take a monumental performance but it's definitely not out of their reach. In many ways, it might be the best chance the Tongans have ever had. A new rule introduced a couple of years ago made it easier for players to switch allegiances and this benefitted the Tongans greatly. It allowed long-serving coach Toutai Kefu to bring in outside back Charles Piutau and centre Malakai Fekitoa among five former All Blacks to his squad for the competition. A bit of Kiwi spirit among the Tongan passion couldn't hurt.

Will Tonga make it out of the Pool stages?

It's safe to say that luck hasn't been on the Tongan's side when it comes to escaping the pool stages. They've never escaped but they'll be looking to break that streak this time out. They've have had their share of tough draws at World Cups, but in 2023 they surely felt the rugby gods were laughing at them when they landed in the so-called "pool of death" with defending champions South Africa, world number one Ireland, Scotland and Romania. Coach Kefu stated that his squad would probably be Tonga's best ever at a World Cup but it's a pool that requires no slip-ups.

Who is the player to watch for Tonga?

The introduction of Piutau is a major positive for the Tongans and he will be vital to any success that Tonga might have in this World Cup. His international career looked like it might have been kaput at just 23 years old after being axed from the New Zealand roster in 2015. Now, Eight long years later, he gets his chance on the biggest stage representing Tonga. Keep an eye out.