Is this the Tonga line-up that can beat England in their opening World Cup game at Perth's HBF Stadium on October 17?
Tonga co-captain Addin Fonua-Blake certainly believes the Pacific nation has the talent to get off on a winning note and fans have picked a star-studded line up in RLWC2026.com poll.
Led by Fonua-Blake and Jason Taumalolo, the fan-voted team features another Tonga stalwart in record breaking Roosters winger Daniel Tupou, but the starting side is dominated by World Cup newcomers.
Kotoni Staggs, who played five-eighth in Tonga's historic 2019 defeat of Australia, has been chosen in the centres, while prop Keaon Koloamatangi was a member of the last World Cup side in 2022 and even started at hooker.
However, the likes of 21-year-old halfback sensation Isaiya Katoa, Leka Halasima (20), centre Rob Toia (22) and Isaiah Iongi (23) were inspired by Taumalolo and aiming to repay the star forward in what is expected to be his last World Cup.
Some of the young brigade were barely at school when Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita led Tonga to an historic defeat of New Zealand and a narrow loss to England.
Fonua-Blake played for the Kiwis in 2017 and switched allegiances in 2018 after seeing the impact Tonga had but he still feels the pain of the quarter elimination by England.
"I am sure that all boys are aware of the pain that they have caused us in that jersey so we are looking forward to the battle against England," Fonua-Blake said.
They've had our number the last couple of times so there is a bit of redemption thing going on there.
"England are a great team so we will have to aim up and show them how much it means to us."
With Haumole Olakau'atu and David Fifita in the secondrow, according to the World Cup Selector, Tonga are set to boast a powerful forward pack for Katoa to play behind.
Iongi was chosen at fullback and Latu Fainu at five-eighth, although he has been named in an extended Bati squad along with brothers Samuela and Sione. The Fainu brothers want to play together for Fiji but they need to prove their eligibility.
If Fainu was no longer available, Iongi was the next pick at five-eighth, which would elevate Tolu Koula into the fullback role.
Staggs may also play for Australia as he did in last year's Ashes series but Tonga coach Kristian Woolf has plenty of depth in the centres, with Koula and fellow Origin star Jojo Fifita missing a spot in the fan voted team all together.
There was also no room for Maroons and Dolphins secondrower Kulikefu Finefeuaiki.
Halasima, who usually plays secondrow but has been starring for the Warriors at centre, won a spot on the interchange bench due to his utility value.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak edged Fifita and Sione Katoa for a wing berth, while Cowboys hooker Soni Luke was preferred in the No.9 jersey over veteran Siliva Havili.
The bench comprises of Halasima, Havili, prop Stefano Utoikamanu, boom forward Demetric Vaumaga and outside backs Paul Alamoti and Lehi Hopoate.
Tonga take on England in their opening game at Perth's HBF Park on October 17 before travelling to Sydney to play Lebanon on October 23 and Samoa on November 1 at CommBank Stadium.
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