Are Tonga being underestimated with such a talented group of players at their disposal?
Ireland’s quest for Rugby World Cup glory continues on Saturday night as Andy Farrell’s men face off against Tonga in Nantes, in what will no doubt be a bruising and challenging affair.
The small Pacific Island nation will be making their 2023 World Cup debut, and head into the fixture off comprehensive back-to-back wins over Canada.
Despite a rich rugby tradition, Tonga are seen as minnows by many in what has been widely dubbed as the ‘Group of Death’, alongside Ireland, South Africa, Scotland and Romania.
However, with all the attention being placed on Ireland’s team selection and their inclusion of Johnny Sexton for a second successive week, is the threat of the Tongans being overlooked by many rugby fans and media commentators alike?
Unlike the side fielded by Romania last weekend, this Tongan team possess a host of household names, with five former All Blacks and a former Wallaby included in their World Cup squad.
Charles Piutau is one of a number of familiar faces in line to test Ireland’s resolve for Tonga on Saturday. (Credit: Getty Images)Familiar names look to derail Ireland in Tonga clash:
Thankfully from an Irish perspective, former All Black centre George Moala still has three games to serve on a suspension for a dangerous tackle committed during a warm-up fixture, with the Clermont Auvergne centre a big loss in midfield.
However, it is another former All Black, and a man who Irish Rugby fans will be all-too-familiar with, in Malakai Fekitoa, who is set to shoulder the midfield burden left by Moala’s absence.
The 31-year-old made 24 appearances for the All Blacks between 2014 and 2017, scoring eight tries in the process, before departing the Southern Hemisphere for stints at at both Toulon and Wasps prior to lining out in the red of Munster last season.
A physical specimen, Fekitoa’s famed ball carrying and offloading ability makes him one to watch at the Stade de la Beaujoire on Saturday evening, with his battle against Bundee Aki set to trigger earthquakes in the northwestern French town.
Yet another familiar face on these shores is set to link up with Fekitoa in the Tongan backline, with former Ulster fullback Charles Piutau in line to feature in an incredulously talented attack.
Making 17 Test appearances for the All Blacks, the Bristol Bears man is one of the most potent attacking threats to have graced the game in recent times, with the silkiest of footwork and a ridiculous array of passing at his disposal.
Johnny Sexton and Hugo Keenan will have to be on the money with their kicking game, as any lapses in quality will surely be punished be Piutau and co.
Likely to join both Fekitoa and Piutau in a star-studded backline ensemble is former Waikato Chiefs and Auckland Blues scrum-half Augustine Pulu, who lined out twice for the All Blacks back in 2014.
No longer as quick at the base of the ruck or scrum as he was in his New Zealand days, the 33-year-old still offers a wealth of top level experience and will no doubt be a thorn in Conor Murray’s side for the duration of the match.
Vaea Fifita in action for the All Blacks in the 2019 Rugby Championship. (Credit: Getty Images)Tongan pack bolstered by ex-All Black and Wallaby:
It is not just the Tongan backline though which will pose a threat to Ireland, with their pack also set to include yet another former All Black alongside a former Wallaby too.
Vaea Fifita made the last of his 11 All Blacks appearances back in 2019, prior to missing out on selection for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Since then, the rangy flanker has enjoyed stints at both the Wasps and Llanelli Scarlets, before declaring for Tonga last year.
Having split his career between both back row and second row, Fifita is a versatile option for Toutai Kefu’s side, bringing some much needed set-piece stability and nouse to a team which has often been found lacking in that department in the past.
Similarly, the physical force of former Wallaby lock Adam Coleman is also likely to be on display in Nantes, with the 38-time capped Australian on the brink of making his Tongan debut against Ireland.
Standing at 6ft 8in, the former Western Force man currently plies his trade in the French Top 14 with Bordeaux Begles, and will look to wreak havoc on an Irish line-out which misfired numerous times against Romania last weekend.
So, is this collection of former All Blacks and Wallabies enough to see Tonga cause a famous tournament upset? Given Ireland’s propensity for World Cup implosions and all eyes swiftly looking past the islanders towards next week’s clash against reigning champions South Africa, Saturday’s fixture may be a much tighter encounter than many expect.
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