From Jonah Lomu to the Vunipolas every nation has boasted a player of Tongan heritage… after a  ruling in 2021 the Ikale Tahi are finally reaching their potential – and now they have their sights firmly set on Ireland

When Romania played Ireland in Bordeaux last weekend, they had Fonovai Tangimana and Tevita Manumua in their ranks. A pair of Tongan-born backs who had sought pastures new and now wore the colors of their adopted nation.

About 167,000 kilometers separate Nuku’alofa – the capital of Tonga – and Bucharest, but traveling halfway around the world to earn a living is a well-worn path for a Pacific islander.

In every professional – and semi-professional – rugby league in the world you will find Tongans plying their trade. This tiny country in the South Pacific may only have a population of 106,000, but they’ve always punched above their weight on the biggest stage.

Power and size are rarely a problem for Tongans anyway. It’s their USP. Rugby is the country’s largest export product.

Almost every major rugby nation in the world has a player of Tongan descent. From the Vunipola brothers with England to Wales and Lions No. 8 Taulupe Faletau.

Charles Piutau and Malakai Fekitoa – who will both start for the Ikale Tahi in Nantes tonight – made a big impression during their time on the Irish coast, playing for Ulster and Munster respectively. Leva Fifita, who will pack for Tonga, played at the Sportsground in Galway for a few seasons.

The great All Black Jonah Lomu was the son of Tongan immigrants from Ha’apai who sought a better life in Auckland.

Current Tonga head coach Toutai Kefu, who has his sights set on Ireland tonight, followed a similar path.

He was born in Kolomotu’a in his native Tonga before his family moved to Brisbane. Kefu, whose father Fatai represented Tonga in the 1970s, would grow up to represent the Wallabies and help them claim the 1999 World Cup. He is still considered one of the best number 8s to ever wear the green and gold jersey.

Rugby League is peppered with powerful Tongans, from Wigan to Wellington. It’s the same story in the NFL in America. For a small country, Tonga produces an extraordinary number of talented rugby players.

However, raw talent can get you far at the highest level. Tonga has always struggled to match Tier 1 countries.

Once again they are underdogs against a Six Nations powerhouse on the world stage. In any case, Kefu and Co are used to it. In terms of resources, finance and logistics, Pacific island states always face an uphill battle.

However, there have been moments of resistance. The memory of a brilliant Tongan team shocking France at the 2011 World Cup in Wellington was the result that sent shockwaves around the world.

Sukanaivalu Hufanga’s try and the boot of out-half Kurt Morath – who at one point in a nomadic career played for Clonakilty in the AIL – steered Tonga to a dramatic 19-14 victory. A warning from history for Andy Farrell’s men.

Now there is a feeling that Tonga could finally realize their rich potential.

And the main reason was a landmark ruling from World Rugby – the game’s governing body – in November 2021. After years of intense lobbying, eligibility laws were finally changed to allow players to switch allegiances on certain grounds.

Countries such as Fiji, Samoa and Tonga benefited most from this decision. The All Blacks and Wallabies are peppered with players who can trace their heritage back to the Pacific Islands.

Under the revised scheme, players are eligible to switch countries if they have been stood down for three years (in other words, not selected for 36 consecutive months) and if they, or a parent or grandparent, were born in the country they want . to represent.

Joe Schmidt, in his short-lived role as director of rugby at World Rugby, was apparently a big driver of change behind the scenes.

Overnight, it opened up enormous opportunities for smaller countries like Tonga. Suddenly the player pool expanded and a stream of world-class players became available for selection.

Piutau, who had 17 All Blacks caps but was no longer eligible for selection as he played abroad with Bristol Bears, could be repatriated to Tonga where he had strong family roots. It was the same story for ex-All Blacks such as scrum-half Augustine Pulu, powerful No8 Vaea Fifita and midfielder Fekitoa. They would indeed have had another former All Black on board in George Moala had they not been ruled out ahead of the tournament for a dangerous tackle in a pre-tournament match against Canada.

Controversial former Wallaby star Israel Folau was also set to play for Tonga before injury struck before the World Cup.

Still, the change in law has significantly strengthened Tonga’s resources in the lead-up to this tournament.

“We’re going to have a very good team, probably the best ever,” Kefu said boldly last month.

When you look at the players at Kefu’s disposal, you can understand why the Tonga supremo is so confident in his side’s chances against the world’s top-ranked team.

For starters, their scrum looks imposing with giant Bordeaux-Begles tighthead Ben Tameifuna at the forefront of a front row that tips the scales at 387kg.

Scarlets lock Sam Lousi has been a standout performer on the URC beat in recent seasons, while former Connacht lock Halaleva Fifita is enjoying the physical side of things.

The back row of Stade Francais flanker Tanginoa Halaifonua, Moana Pasifika openside Sione Talitui and Vaea Fifita, the running Scarlets No8, packs a serious punch.

Pulu and William Havili form an effective halfback partnership, while Toulouse center Pita Ahki – one of Connacht – Fekitoa, Piutau and powerful winger Solomone Kata, who will join Leicester Tigers next season, complete a powerful backline. Piutau in particular is the kind of player who terrifies defenses with his footwork and acceleration. Any loose kick to the Tonga fullback will invite trouble.

Crucially, they also have an elite coaching team, led by Kefu. Highly experienced Kiwi Dan Cron – son of All Blacks scrum guru Mike – and former Munster out-half Tyler Blyendaal, who is coaching Tonga’s attack this tournament, have prepared this side for the big stage in France.

“We’re here to really fire some shots and try to topple all the teams in our pool,” Blyendaal, who played at Thomond Park for five years, said Friday.

‘That is our attitude, but we are under no illusions about the challenge we face, that’s for sure. We are excited about the challenge.”

Underdogs as usual, but there’s a lot of excitement surrounding the class of 2023. Perhaps there’s a bit of nervousness in the Irish ranks too? Especially after Farrell put together a fully loaded lineup to take on a team ranked 15th in the world. The Irish head coach is not taking any chances against a team that is clearly on the rise.

Tonga clearly also has confidence in the run-up to the tournament.’

We are in a tough group but we are putting all our eggs in one basket and aiming for Ireland,” Kefu said earlier this month. ‘We can’t play football with them; they will beat us any day of the week.

“So we have to come up with a plan and I think we have one… it’s going to work out.”