Have Tonga got any halfbacks to take advantage of this amazing pack and great backs? Without any it'll all be for nowt.

Hingano will be very, very good, but at 20 and with only 15 firstgrade games, it might be one WC early for him.

Had a stab at what I think their line-up might be then the rest of the squad below. As has been said, it's just a case of whether the halves can link well between the pack and the backs.

POS Tonga
FB Will Hopoate
W Manu Vatuvei
C Konrad Hurrell
C Michael Jennings
W Daniel Tupou
HB Tuimoala Lolohea
HB Ata Hingano
P Andrew Fifita
H Siliva Havilli
P Sio Siua Taukeiaho
SR Sika Manu
SR Manu Ma’u
LF Jason Taumalolo

F Ben Murdoch-Masila
F Ukuma Ta'ai
F Joe Ofahengaue
F Sam Moa
F Tevita Pangai jnr
F Peni Terepo
W Mahe Fonua
W David Fusitu’a
C Solomone Kata
H Sione Katoa
HB/U Samisoni Langi

The fact you haven't go Fonua in that line up shows their strength in the backs!

Looking at it again, I think Tupou and Vatuvei both prefer left wing so maybe Fonua will start on the right wing with Tupou on the left.

But yes, scary looking team.

Quote: Bulls Boy 2011 "If Lebanon get anywhere near England in that game it will be one of the most embarrassing performances from an England side since the poor showing against PNG in the 2008 World Cup.'" 2013 v Italy. www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/24565586

Quote: Bulls Boy 2011 "If Lebanon get anywhere near England in that game it will be one of the most embarrassing performances from an England side since the poor showing against PNG in the 2008 World Cup.'" 2013 v Italy. www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/24565586

money for tonga today

25/1 to win if you fancy it, i dont

Robbie Farah, Mitchell Moses

Also Ikahihifo to add to that as well potentially...

He doesn't exactly have the best relationship with Aus RL at times does he and they also didn't pick him last year, when he was arguably the best Prop in the world. Bit of two fingered slatute to them maybe?

he's not been announced in the squad though

Samoa will still be stronger than Tonga - maybe not in the forwards - but Samoa have double the potential player pool and have very good spine player options.

A lot of these teams look OK on paper, and I wouldn't say England could easily beat NZ, Tonga or Samo TBH. But the gap between Australia and the rest is monumental at 1,6, 7 and 9. The only team that comes close in those key roles on paper is NZ if everyone is fit and available.

Without very good players in those positions you'll struggle to get close to Australia, who wouldn't be bothered about letting a big opposition team wear itself out trying to dominate them - they'll just absorb the pressure then when they tire put a lot of points on them. You won't score many points against Australia by trying to run over the top of them.

Great news for the World Cup & International RL.

The key post-World Cup is making sure the so-called "Tier 2 Nations" have regular matches vs the "big 3", to enable them to try & attract these top class players. The International Calendar has improved, but still needs plenty of work between World Cups.