Tonga will have the honour of opening the 2011 Rugby World Cup when they face hosts New Zealand at Eden Park on September 9th.
The Pacific Islanders enjoyed their best-ever RWC in 2007, finishing third in their pool behind eventual finalists South Africa and England.
If they can get through their pool matches against Canada and Japan, a final showdown with France could prove very interesting.
Strengths
Tonga, much like Pacific neighbours Samoa, pride themselves on their defensive physicality.
Led by skipper Finau Maka and Chiefs prop Sona Taumalolo, the forward pack will compete ferociously at the collision which should see them disrupt opposition ball.
Weaknesses
The lineout has always been a problem for Tonga and that doesn't look like changing in New Zealand.
They'll look to win cheap ball at the front, but should they get outjumped at No.2, they'll find it very difficult to give their talented backline quality ball.
Although their scrum has improved significantly, the flaws with the set-piece were cruelly exposed by England Saxons in the Churchill Cup.
